|
| |
| |
|
(Updated – August
2004) - Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa
for hunting purposes, will be asked to fill in a SAP 520
– Temporary Import Application which is available from your
hunting outfitters,
or which can be downloaded off the SAPS Website at www.saps.gov.za,
or which can be filled out on arrival. We would suggest
filling in the form beforehand to save the processing time
at the Police Office.
| |
|
| |
| INSTRUCTIONS
FOR FILLING IN SAP 520 FORMS: |
|
1.
Black ink must be used to fill in the form.
2.
The form must be left unsigned until the document
is finalized in front of the police official issuing
the actual permit.
3.
Please note that not all sections of the form apply.
Visitors bringing their own firearms in for hunting
purposes should concentrate on filling in the following:
Section D – (temporary import or export permit) Section
E – 1 – 25.4 Section G Section I – (Must fill in all
details requested) Section J - (remember do not sign
until in front of police officer at firearm office). |
| |
| ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS ALONG WITH THE SAP 520 ARE THE FOLLOWING:
|
| 1.
Identity and Flight Detail
a.
Passport
b. Return Airline Ticket
2.
Other Supporting Documentation |
|
a. Proof of Ownership
Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc.
For USA Citizens, Customs Declaration Form
4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable.
b.
Proof of Export
Documentary proof of export from the country
of origin
c.
Motivation Letter from Client
This is a letter from the client stating that
he is temporarily importing the referred to
firearm/s for the purpose of hunting, to include
that the firearm/s are required as he will
be hunting (list the species to be hunted),
etc.
d. Invitation Letter
from the Hunting
Outfitters Africa
This is supporting documentation from the
Hunting Outfitter/company with whom the client
will be hunting, to include full name of company,
full contact details and address, dates and
location where the client will be hunting
and confirming that the applicant will be
using the specific firearms as applied for.
e. Any Other Supporting
Documents
Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure
the serial number(s) match those of the licenses
(proof of ownership) and the application form.
Ammunition will also be inspected.
|
|
|
FOR
VISITORS CLEARING CUSTOMS AT THE JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT,
PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO BE
FOLLOWED |
1.
Clear passport control in the Terminal
where your flight arrives (generally SAA and
its co-partners at Terminal 2 and all other
airlines at Terminal 1).
2.
Proceed to baggage claim at the respective
carousel. Pick up general baggage, then proceed
to the respective Airline Help Desk to pick
up firearm/s from the airline company and sign
a receipt for the firearm/s. Ask the Airline
Help Desk to direct you to the South African
Police Firearm Office. Depending on the terminal
where you arrive, they may need to escort you
to the Office.
3.
Proceed to the South African Police
Firearm Office (Do not at this point proceed
to customs).
4.
On receipt of the temporary import
permit at the SAPS Firearm Office, proceed to
Customs, the Red Zone, where you declare the
firearm/s and finish other custom clearance
procedures. For those visitors clearing customs
at any of the other international points of
entry, please take note of the relevant information
made above which relates to documentation requirements,
etc. |
|
Please
insure sufficient time is allowed to go through
the temporary importation process and to clear
customs. During the busy periods of the hunting
season up to seventy clients may be needing
permits at the same time. We would therefore
recommend at least five (5) hours be set aside
for this procedure and between connecting flights. |
|
|
|
FIREARM
/ AMMUNITION ALLOWANCES AND SPECIFICATIONS |
1.
No more than one firearm per caliber and 200 rounds per
firearm will be permitted. No ammunition for other rifle
calibers will be permitted.
An exception to this may apply for shotguns where more than
one of the same caliber may be allowed for bird hunting
purposes if the client produces on arrival at the SAPS Gun
Office an acceptable written motivation as to why more than
one is required.
2. Firearms must bear the manufacturer’s serial number
or any other mark by which the firearm can be identified.
The identification number must be stamped and the mark
affixed in the prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame
or the receiver of the firearm.
3. Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only
for hunting purposes.
Any visitor wanting to bring in a handgun in this regard
needs to have a letter from an association in the country
of origin, stating the handgun will be used for hunting
purposes.
4. Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into
South Africa include:
a. Any fully automatic
weapon
b. Any semi-automatic weapon
c. Handgun/s for self-defense
d. Weapons which fall under military
categories
e. A semi-automatic shotgun for hunting
purposes may be allowed if an application is made at least
21 days before arrival through the Central Firearms Register
with a motivation letter as to why this type of firearm
is required.
|
|
| GENERAL
PROVISIONS |
| 1.
Temporary Import Permits.
a. May only
be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of
hunting
b. Will be issued subject to the
requirements of the Act with regard to the carrying,
storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm
and ammunition.
c. Subject to the use of the firearm
only for the purpose set out in the permit.
d. Subject to the fact that no
person who holds a temporary import permit is allowed
to transfer the firearm to another person in South
Africa without prior written permission having been
obtained from the Central Firearm Register.
e. Whenever the holder of a temporary
import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa,
the firearm in respect of which the permit is issued
must accompany the holder of the permit.
f. Possession of no more than the
quantity of cartridges determined by the Registrar
and specified on the permit for each firearm in
respect of which the temporary import permit applies.
g. A Temporary Import Permit shall
not be issued for a period exceeding six months
at a time.
h. Applicant must be 21 or over.
i. Should a firearm not be declared
on arrival and a temporary import permit not issued,
you will face severe penalties and possible arrest
on departure from South Africa.
|
2.
Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made
in advance to the Central Firearm Register.
Ask your Hunting
Outfitter to assist you
in this regard.
3. Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive
on the same flight as you do.
This must be done with the airline company on departure.
Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will
not be released to your outfitter or professional
hunter should it/they arrive on a separate flight.
If the firearm/s do not arrive with the passenger,
the passenger must proceed to his final destination
in South Africa and apply at the closest Police Station
for a Temporary Import Permit. When the Temporary
Import Permit has been issued, the original permit
with the keys to the rifle case must be couriered
to the Border Post of entry. A Transport Agent with
transport permit must be appointed by the passenger.
This Transport Agent must have a letter from the passenger
instructing him/her to transport the firearm/s to
the passenger in person. The firearm/s will be inspected
by the Police at the Port of entry and the firearm/s
and permit will be handed to the transporter to be
transported to the passenger. |
4.
Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling
of firearms at Johannesburg International Airport, or
any port of entry.
The issuing of the SAP 520 is a free service and the
South African Police Service asks clients not to pay
anybody involved in handling firearms from the time
of arrival in South Africa right through until you receive
your firearm/s and the permit from the SAPS. Clients
that are paying the various airline staff, security
staff, or porters involved are actually creating a problem.
Please note however there is a handling fee charged
by airlines and/or security companies for the handling
of handguns, and some airlines have started charging
a handling fee for all firearms. We suggest checking
with your airline with regard to any “official” fees
that may be required.
5. There is no permit required, nor any charge
by the South African Police Service for a bow.
Handling fees are charged by airline and/or security
companies for bows and handguns.
6. Please note that NO firearms will be held for safekeeping
by the SAPS.
If a client brings in a prohibited firearm, brings in
more than what is allowed, or lacks the necessary documentation
and his request for a temporary import permit is denied,
the involved firearms must be exported immediately by
the client or voluntarily surrendered to the State. |
|
| |
| IN
TRANSIT PASSENGERS (TRANSITING SOUTH AFRICA) |
It is critical that you check with and confirm with the airline/s
involved before departure to make sure what their procedure
is for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms.
If the airline does transfer your baggage/firearms, and you
have booked them through to the final destination, and you
stay in the in-transit area and do not clear South African
customs, then you need not go through the temporary import
process.
If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/guns
to your connecting airline/flight, then you must collect your
baggage/firearm/s and go through the entire entry process.
If this is the case, the South African limitations, requirements,
etc. will apply.
This also applies if you are overnighting in South Africa
before flying on to your country of destination. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terms
of Use and Disclaimer: Spiral Horn Hunting Safaris
and its owners, employees, associates and agents do not
guarantee the accuracy of any material
published on this Website, and assume no responsibility
for the use of the contents of this site. Whilst every
care has been taken in compiling this information
Spiral Horn Tours and its owners, employees, associates
and agents, will not be held responsible for the accuracy
of the contents or any omissions. The information is available
as a reference for use entirely at the user's own risk.
Spiral Horn Tours and its owners, employees, associates
and agents disclaim all liability for any loss, damage,
injury or expense however caused, arising from the use
of or reliance upon, in any manner, the information provided
through this site and does not warrant the truth, accuracy
or completeness of the information provided. |
|
| |
| |
|
