Firearm Documentation for South Africa
(Firearm importation
requirements for all other countries will be
supplied on booking of the safari. )
The following forms will be supplied well in advance of your arrival and must
accompany you on your Safari, along with the mentioned documentation in this
list:
- SAPS 520
- Invitation Letter
- Information Letter
Importation of Firearms (Updated – August 2004)
Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes, will be asked
to fill in a SAPS 520 – Temporary Import Application which is available from
your outfitter, can be downloaded off the SAPS Website at
www.saps.gov.za, or be filled out on arrival.
We would strongly suggest
filling in the form beforehand with the assistance of your hunting outfitter to
ensure it is completed correctly and to save the processing time at the Police
Office for yourself and the Police.
Instructions for Filling in SAPS 520 Form
1. Black ink must be used to fill in the form.
2. The form should be left unsigned until the document is finalized
in front of the police official issuing the actual permit. This gives
the police official the opportunity of making sure the signature is an
original and is yours. Should you sign the form beforehand, please make
sure the form with your original signature is handed in and not a copy.
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)
IMPORTANT!! Requirements along with the SAPS 520 are the following:
1. Passport ( It is also a good idea to have in your possession another form of
government issued identification, such as a drivers license.)
2. Return Airline Ticket
3. Proof of Ownership
Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA Citizens a Customs Declaration
Form 4457 that is officially stamped, is essential. U.S. clients can get
more information on firearms documentation by contacting the
U.S. Bureau of
Customs and Border Protection.
4. Proof of Export
Note: Clients must obtain documentation from an official government institution,
police/customs, for legally exporting firearm(s).
This must be written in
English and state the following:
“It is hereby certified that the owner of the firearm(s) M (state particulars)
with caliber (state the caliber), serial number (state the serial number) and
type (state type of weapon) is hereby authorized to temporarily export the above
firearms(s) from country (state the country).
5. Invitation Letter from the Hunting Outfitter
This is a letter from the Hunting Outfitter/company.
-
To be written on an official letterhead of the Hunting Outfitter/company;
-
With the PH’s and Outfitters details to include their name(s), surname(s),
license number(s) and in which province(s) they are registered;
-
This letter must state for what type of hunt the client is invited and what
calibers will be used on the hunt.
-
State where the hunt(s) will take place – name of farm(s) and district(s).
-
This letter must also state that the mentioned weapons will only be used for
hunting purposes on the mentioned properties;
-
State the duration of the hunt;
-
This letter must be signed by the Hunting Outfitter/company and dated.
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 on arrival:
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:
-
Any fully automatic weapon
-
Any semi-automatic weapon
-
Handgun/s for self-defence
-
Weapons which fall under military categories
5. 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.
6. Temporary firearm permits can only be issued at point of entry and only for
hunting purposes or authorized accredited shooting competitions.
General Provisions:
1. Temporary Import Permits:
-
May only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of
hunting
-
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
-
Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in
the permit
-
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.
-
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. Please note: should
firearms be left in the Republic of South Africa and not taken with the
client and the temporary permit expires, the client may be prosecuted
and future temporary importation of firearms will be jeopardized.
-
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
-
A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period
exceeding six months at a time
-
Applicant must be 21 or over
-
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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