Shipping a rifle back from South Africa

[Ryan]

I was recently chatting with a friend who mentioned he's heading to South Africa this May. Aside from the usual conversation about it he asked about getting his 4457 for his rifle and then mentioned he's stopping off for a week in Portugal on the way back. So he's thinking of having it shipped via Fedex from South Africa to a FFL licensed dealer in Alaska since having it in Portugal seemed to be a big undertaking. His thoughts were Fedex can do it here between states so they can do it from South Africa. I'm not so sure since it's another country and they have different laws about firearms. Oh yeah, the cost will not be bad for him, an employee perk of him working for Fedex. And yes, I did mention using a rental there but he claims they only have a 7x57 and he much prefers his own rifle.

Has anyone done this, heard of it done, or have any info?

Thanks.

 

[JimP]

You would think that if he works for FedEx that he would be able to find someone there that could answer his question.

A couple of problems that I can see would be, the SAP's 520 form and permit. It is surrendered upon leaving SA when the firearm is turned over at the SAP's office, so what happens to it if somehow you ship the firearm and don't go through SAP's? Then there would be the customs declaration in both SA and here in the US.

I think that I would just hunt with the outfitters rifles and leave mine at home.

I'm not much help but this thread could get interesting.

 

[CAustin]

Never heard of it being done but given he works for the shipping company they should be able to tell him if it’s legal.

 

[Ryan]

You would think that if he works for FedEx that he would be able to find someone there that could answer his question.

A couple of problems that I can see would be, the SAP's 520 form and permit. It is surrendered upon leaving SA when the firearm is turned over at the SAP's office, so what happens to it if somehow you ship the firearm and don't go through SAP's? Then there would be the customs declaration in both SA and here in the US.

I think that I would just hunt with the outfitters rifles and leave mine at home.

I'm not much help but this thread could get interesting.

I agree, and told him he needed to talk with Fedex, which hopefully he is now. He seems to think his outfitter would have more of an idea. I'm throwing it out there just in case he doesn't.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I suspect it can be done. I also suspect it would be costly. I’d have him to do a google for gun importers, as for all intents this is what he’s doing even though he’s the owner.

 

[sierraone]

Rifle will have to come from an S.A. exporter to Fed Ex or other shipping company then to a U.S. importer. After you pay the importer the taxes/fees, they will send it to your personal FFL/shop. Even though you own the rifle, it has to go though the export/import process. Firearms have different laws/ rules that controls them being shipped from country to country. I would go with what Jim P suggested. Use the outfitter's rifle and avoid all of this headache and costs.

And if FedEx tells you I'm full of bull....go with them.

 

[JimP]

Ten years ago I was going to sell a firearm to a outfitter up in British Colombia for a very good price, it was just what he was looking for and I was ready to get rid of it.

By the time we figured out what it would cost to get it to him he figured that it would just be cheaper to go down to his gun shop and order one.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Your query boils down to 3 issues
i. The export of the rifle from South Africa. I would suggest an email to Rifle Permits in SA to get advice as to whether you can export the firearm in the manner you intend. They may even have some advice on requirements to bring it back into the US.
ii. The import of the rifle back into the US. Try contacting US Customs to see what paperwork they require.
iii. Internal policies of Fedex. Are they willing to take on an international shipment of firearms. Irrespective of legalities, its possible that at some time an executive has decided that its too complex for the company to be involved in.

 

[Ryan]

Thanks everyone. I should see him in the next couple days, I'll pass along what you've told me.

 

[Jack from Alaska]

Hello Ryan

I am also from Alaska and we are going to SA and want to travel to Portugal and see about shipping our guns back to AK (to an FFL Dealer) via Fed Ex. Have you fund out if you can do it?

 

[Ryan]

Hello Ryan

I am also from Alaska and we are going to SA and want to travel to Portugal and see about shipping our guns back to AK (to an FFL Dealer) via Fed Ex. Have you fund out if you can do it?

Jack, I suspect you are with Brad. Read everything above.

 

[Sika98k]

My 2 cents worth is don’t do it ! My own experiences are of a client shipping a shotgun ahead of him from the States to Ireland.
I went to collect it from the airport and ended up having to lodge a Very hefty deposit equaling the duty and VAT that the gun would have been liable for. It was shipped dealer to dealer and Customs would only recognise it as a sale even though I had the clients non resident firearms license to show. Why did he have to ship a Purdey ?
Re exporting it was even more of a palaver as he,the client went on a short European tour unencumbered by the aforementioned Purdey.
Meanwhile back in Ireland we were ticking boxes on the export papers that the firearm could not fire nuclear tipped missiles. I jest you not !
Never,ever,again ! Keep it with you or borrow a rifle at the far end.
By the way there’s nothing wrong with a 7x57.

 

[Jack from Alaska]

Jack, I suspect you are with Brad. Read everything above.

How do you know Brad, he cannot remember who you are

 

[Eric Anderson]

My 2 cents worth is don’t do it ! My own experiences are of a client shipping a shotgun ahead of him from the States to Ireland.
I went to collect it from the airport and ended up having to lodge a Very hefty deposit equaling the duty and VAT that the gun would have been liable for. It was shipped dealer to dealer and Customs would only recognise it as a sale even though I had the clients non resident firearms license to show. Why did he have to ship a Purdey ?
Re exporting it was even more of a palaver as he,the client went on a short European tour unencumbered by the aforementioned Purdey.
Meanwhile back in Ireland we were ticking boxes on the export papers that the firearm could not fire nuclear tipped missiles. I jest you not !
Never,ever,again ! Keep it with you or borrow a rifle at the far end.
By the way there’s nothing wrong with a 7x57.

Your shotguns can’t fire nuclear tipped missiles? Get with the program!

 

[spike.t]

Your shotguns can’t fire nuclear tipped missiles? Get with the program!

It's on the UK firearms export application form. It's on it due to the crap that happened when saddam built a big cannon out of parts shipped from uk....so now even if it's only even a .22lr rifle you have to sign that it isn't capable of delivering nuclear or biological weapons.....

 

[spike.t]

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160317-the-man-who-tried-to-make-a-supergun-for-saddam-hussein

 

[johnnyblues]

Maybe Henry of rifle permits could shed some light on this.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Fly back to the states with the gun. Leave it with an FFL or someone you know. Then fly back to Portugal. It's probably cheaper.

 

[Ryan]

My 2 cents worth is don’t do it ! My own experiences are of a client shipping a shotgun ahead of him from the States to Ireland.
I went to collect it from the airport and ended up having to lodge a Very hefty deposit equaling the duty and VAT that the gun would have been liable for. It was shipped dealer to dealer and Customs would only recognise it as a sale even though I had the clients non resident firearms license to show. Why did he have to ship a Purdey ?
Re exporting it was even more of a palaver as he,the client went on a short European tour unencumbered by the aforementioned Purdey.
Meanwhile back in Ireland we were ticking boxes on the export papers that the firearm could not fire nuclear tipped missiles. I jest you not !
Never,ever,again ! Keep it with you or borrow a rifle at the far end.
By the way there’s nothing wrong with a 7x57.

I've seen the price of a Purdy, the nuclear option should be included.
And I agree, a 7x57 is adequate. But no my call.