Rifle transport info

StickFlinger · Jun 11, 2012

Going on first trip to Africa. What do I need for paper work to take my guns. I have a hunting invitation letter from my out-fitter. What other forms do I need to be prepared for my trip. Thanks for the help.

llamapacker · Jun 12, 2012

I'll start by assuming you are heading to South Africa. Different countries have different regulations, of course.

The first thing you need is a customs declaration form (4457) from US customs. You can get this at most international airports or a local customs office. You need this to get your guns back home, and it serves as proof of ownership when in Africa. You can get your gun permit upon arrival in south africa, and it takes about an hour or two depending on the number of people on the same plane traveling with firearms. Another option is to pre-apply for the permit, and several companies offer this service for a fee. Gracy travel and Air 2000/Hunters support are the companies I am familiar with. A bit pricey, but speeds your arrival and nice to know things are set before you arrive.

At least get on their web sites and read their info. There are strange nuances to every country, but many ban any semi-auto rifles and handguns typically require more paperwork.

If you provide the specifics of your trip I can be more clear. If properly prepared, traveling with your firearms isn't a big deal.

Bill

koyote · Jun 12, 2012

I just got back from Namibia and have been 4 times and always use this travel agent in Texas. Look up Travelwithguns.com His name is Steve Turner and he specializes in hunting travel, he can get the best ticket prices and connections and the cost is Very minimal. Best move I've made in planning a trip to Africa.

Jeff Riley

stinkystomper · Jun 12, 2012

travelexpressagency.com with lori out of montana is one of the more widley used and the other most widely used and successful with travel is gracytravel.com out of san antonio texas.

I would have to say to use gracy travel if you are going through amsterdam on any of your flights. If not then use lori with travel express. gracy will take care of your pain in the butt amsterdam permits as noone else helps with that. if you are traveling anywhere else use lori as she will take care of all other permitting requirement like in zimbabwe etc where pre notice is required on certain airlines mainly saa.

However if you are not going through amsterdam and are only flying to South Africa then use anyone recommended above as the paperwork can be done by a first grader. If you travel as I stated above and your guns get held until your return don't say you weren't warned. Last year I used a regular old "gun permit knowledgable" travel agent and my guns never left the country thanks to the dutch fags. If you leave South Africa take plenty of 20 dollar bills as they are the best gun paperwork for the money in mozambique and zimbabwe.

woodruffhunter · Jun 12, 2012

Read post 2! Steve Turner was excellent and top notch. He changed my flight mid-trip when I extended.

I wouldn't use Gracy Travel. They acted put out when I asked them a few questions.

Although I'll fly Delta on a direct flight, my next trip, I'll still use Travel with guns. A small price to pay for excellent service.

stinkystomper · Jun 12, 2012

hey woody. You really better keep your options open when hunting internationally. Don't find one person and think they know it all. Thats EXACTLY what happened to me. You need to ask the people in the africa forums because some of the countries have wierd gun laws. Just don't want you to get stuck like I did last year. My problem was one little oversite due to an inexperienced permit/travel agent. Now I have 3 and every time I go I give all 3 a chance to quote me and tell me what I need. Then I compare the responses on public forums and find out who has the best answer. Its really the best way to protect yourself. I checked with your guy and he would have left me with major gun problems trying to leave joberg to head back. He missed one major detail and wouldn't have had the personell on the ground in SA to re-issue permitting nor would he have had the time.

When dealing with guns trust NO ONE! check and double check everyone yourself. If you don't in the end you have only yourself to blame. At least thats what I tell myself after last years fiasco.

woodruffhunter · Jun 12, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Jun-12-12 AT 10:30PM (MST)[p]That's what you get for trying to schedule a one week layover in Amsterdam lol....

I'm as inexperienced as most. However, I had one great experience so maybe I was just lucky.

Steve is South African, and used to work at Gracy Travel. I have only heard two negatives, including yours. But, checking with a few different options does sound like a good idea.

Besides, he's highly recommended on your favorite hunting site; AR lol....

BTW, why didn't you just fly direct from Atlanta?

stinkystomper · Jun 13, 2012

fly direct from atlanta? come on little woody! do you remember how I have that delta airline amex card? well I have a ton of skymiles on it and when you purchase an economy class ticket with upgradable fair for about a gran more than you usually would for economy you get special benefits. You can use your skymiles to upgrade that ticket to first class. Well on the flight there they had some upgradable first class seats and on the flight back all the upgradable first class was taken so we had to go through amsterdam for first class. call me cheap but aint no way I will pay $15k for a plane ticket. However I will fork over an extra grand to get a good seat.

stinkystomper · Jun 13, 2012

BTW wood. I have two separate people doing my permitting this year just to make dang sure I don't have any problems like last year. If you wanna talk about paranoid lets hook up and I will write the defenition down for ya.

woodruffhunter · Jun 13, 2012

1st class? Geese, thanks for ruining my day!

My wife' s look was priceless when we walked by the first class section into our loading pen. See people sitting in recliners, and knowing we had 15 hours to go, wasn't that exciting.

By the way, I hope you are happy. Thanks to you I'm switching guns!