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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Firearms - Imports & Exports
South Africa requires a temporary import/export permit for firearms
and ammunition when traveling to South Africa.
The following are rules and regulations for the import/export/transit of firearms to South Africa:
You may temporarily import a maximum of four (4) firearms per hunter, but not more than one of
the same caliber.
ONLY FlySafair and SA Airlink allow the transportation of firearms domestically within South Africa. Ensure your domestic flight/s you are booked on indicate it is an FlySafair/SA Airlink flight and not a shared carrier flight. The shared carrier will not honor or permit the carry of firearms. Even if your flight indicates it’s a FlySafair/SA Airlink flight, double check it is not a shared carrier flight.
Please note there will be an extra baggage charge, for both, Rifle Case and Ammunition Case. Ammunition case to not exceed 5KG/11LBS.
ONLY FlySafair and SA Airlink allow the transportation of firearms domestically within South Africa. Ensure your domestic flight/s you are booked on indicate it is an FlySafair/SA Airlink flight and not a shared carrier flight. The shared carrier will not honor or permit the carry of firearms. Even if your flight indicates it’s a FlySafair/SA Airlink flight, double check it is not a shared carrier flight.
Please note there will be an extra baggage charge, for both, Rifle Case and Ammunition Case. Ammunition case to not exceed 5KG/11LBS.
- You may only bring ammunition applicable to the firearms that you will be carrying.
- No person under the age of 21 may bring firearms into South Africa or apply for a temporary
import permit in his/her name. - The barrel, frame or action is to be marked with the same serial number.
- No self protection firearms allowed.
- If in transit, permits are required by any passenger spending the night in South Africa while
in transit to a third country. The same prerequisites apply as to obtain the normal temporary
import permit. - Firearm Import/Export permits can be issued at both our international ports of entry,
Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports, or applied for before your arrival in
South Africa.
We strongly recommend using Air 2000 / Hunters Support to assist you through this process.
Follow the link, for all documentation and requirements.
By sending Air 2000 Hunters Support the required details, they will apply for the permit on your behalf; meet you at the airport and walk you through customs onto your connecting flight. Please note Air 2000 Hunters Support does charge a minimal fee for this service – be sure to double check rates with them at the time of the service.
If you will be using the Air 2000 Hunters Support service to assist in the clearance of your rifle/s upon arrival and departure, please take note:
All applications must be completed in black ink, and in the original form. No photocopies or emailed copies will be accepted.
The copy of the signature and photo page of the passport must be notarised by a notary with a notation specifying: “I hereby confirm this is a true copy of the original document signed and stamped.”
The copy of the proof of ownership, i.e. copy of the firearm license or “US Customs Form 4457”, must also be notarised with the notation specifying: “I hereby confirm this is a true copy of the original document signed and stamped.” No applications will be accepted by Air 2000 Hunters Support, if the lead time is less than 4-6 weeks prior to your arrival in South Africa.
Don’t forget to send off your Hunters Support paperwork, sooner rather than later, not forgetting we need all of the following:
Follow the link, for all documentation and requirements.
By sending Air 2000 Hunters Support the required details, they will apply for the permit on your behalf; meet you at the airport and walk you through customs onto your connecting flight. Please note Air 2000 Hunters Support does charge a minimal fee for this service – be sure to double check rates with them at the time of the service.
If you will be using the Air 2000 Hunters Support service to assist in the clearance of your rifle/s upon arrival and departure, please take note:
All applications must be completed in black ink, and in the original form. No photocopies or emailed copies will be accepted.
The copy of the signature and photo page of the passport must be notarised by a notary with a notation specifying: “I hereby confirm this is a true copy of the original document signed and stamped.”
The copy of the proof of ownership, i.e. copy of the firearm license or “US Customs Form 4457”, must also be notarised with the notation specifying: “I hereby confirm this is a true copy of the original document signed and stamped.” No applications will be accepted by Air 2000 Hunters Support, if the lead time is less than 4-6 weeks prior to your arrival in South Africa.
Don’t forget to send off your Hunters Support paperwork, sooner rather than later, not forgetting we need all of the following:
- Hunters Support Form
- SAPS 520
- Notarised copy of your passport
- Notarised copy of the “US Customs Form 4457” or License (whichever is applicable)
- Hard copy of your flight itinerary
If you have any queries or questions, please just email Air 2000 on air2000@global.co.za and
they will gladly assist.
When dealing with Air 2000 Hunters Support, and acquiring their custom clearing service/s, be sure to specify whether you would like to be met upon international arrival only OR upon arrival and departure into/from South Africa.
When dealing with Air 2000 Hunters Support, and acquiring their custom clearing service/s, be sure to specify whether you would like to be met upon international arrival only OR upon arrival and departure into/from South Africa.
TRAVELLING WITH AMMUNITION
ALL ammunition that you are travelling with, whether internationally arriving/departing in/out of
South Africa and/or within South Africa/ regionally within Southern Africa on an SA Airlink flight
must be in a separate, locked hard metal/plastic ammunition case. (No tapped cardboard boxes
allowed) Ammunition is no longer allowed to be checked-in within checked luggage arriving into
South Africa.
Ammunition may never be carried in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft. Ammunition must be packed separately, and securely, from the firearm case and not in the checked-bag onto the final destination (Port Elizabeth/Home).
Also note a maximum of 200 rounds of ammunition is allowed per firearm/per caliber.
Most airlines have a weight limit on ammunition of 5KG/11LBS.
Ammunition may never be carried in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft. Ammunition must be packed separately, and securely, from the firearm case and not in the checked-bag onto the final destination (Port Elizabeth/Home).
Also note a maximum of 200 rounds of ammunition is allowed per firearm/per caliber.
Most airlines have a weight limit on ammunition of 5KG/11LBS.
- Hunters Support Form SAPS 520 for the temporary import/export of firearms to South Africa.
- US Customs Form 4457 for proof of ownership of the rifle/s from the USA.
Lastly, hunters traveling with rifles will require a Letter of Invitation from Buffalo Billson Safaris.
Contact us directly for the current Letter of Invitation.
