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Temporary Importation of Firearms
South Africa
Firearm Importation Procedures and Suggestions
PHASA would like to provide the following information and make the following suggestions to insure that all visiting hunters have a smooth running handling process.
For the Johannesburg International Airport, we would recommend the following in order to assist you to streamline the procedure:
- · Fill in the temporary firearm import permit application (SAP520) in advance if possible and bring it with you. The SAP520 can however be filled out on arrival at the SAPS Firearm Office. NB! It is important to note that the form must be completed in black ink and must remain unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the actual permit at the airport. Your hunting outfitter should be able to assist you with a copy of the SAP520 form, or you can obtain one through PHASA.
- · PHASA recommend that where possible to obtain the actual temporary import permits in advance. PHASA is now rendering this service at a cost of $ 80,00 per application. Should you wish to make use of this service you need to send the completed SAP520 form along with the following certified documentation to the PHASA Office by registered mail/courier to reach the Office 25 days before you arrive in the RSA:
- a. A completed SAP520 form
Complete page 2 – E – Natural person’s details
Complete page 4 – G – Import/Export details
Complete page 5 – I – Details of firearms and ammunition
Complete page 6 – J – Signature of applicant or
Complete page 8 – N – Signature of nominee/authorized person. (Client should give written permission for this).
b. Certified copy of passport
c. Certified copy of airline ticket/itinerary
d. Certified copy of proof of export (This is proof that your firearms have been legally exported from your country of residence. If your country does not have an official export permit the SAPS require a letter from a government agency of your country of residence stating this. For USA citizens the 4457 form is acceptable.)
e. Certified copy of firearm licences. The SAPS realizes that some countries, eg. the US do not issue gun licenses. In this event the USA form 4457 is acceptable for USA citizens.
f. Invitation letter of Hunting Outfitter to include:
Letter on Outfitter’s official letterhead
Name of person being invited;
Duration of the hunter’s stay;
PH’s details – name, surname, licence number and the province he is licenced in;
Hunting Outfitter Details – same as above;
The physical address(s) and telephone number(s) of the farm(s) where the hunt(s) will take place;
Type of animals being hunted eg. big game, birdshooting etc.;
The recommended calibres required for hunt(s);
State that firearms will only be used for hunting purposes on mentioned properties;
Date and signature of Outfitter.
3. On arrival at the Johannesburg International Airport:
a. Disembark from aircraft and clear passport control in whichever Terminal the flight arrives. (Generally, SAA and its co-partners at Terminal 2, and all other airlines in Terminal 1).
b. Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general baggage.
c. For visitors with firearms arriving at Terminal 2:
Proceed to the SAPS Firearms Office. Look for office signage. Location of the SAPS Firearms Office – in Terminal 2 – in front of the Post Office. For visitors with firearms arriving at Terminal 1:
Proceed to the firearm office that is situated in Terminal 2 in front of the Post Office.
d. On arrival at the SAPS Firearm Office present your issued temporary import permit or have the following available for inspection:
1. Completed SAP520 application form:
Complete – page 2 – E – Natural Person’s details;
Complete – page 4 – G – Import/Export details;
Complete – page 5 – I – Details of firearms;
Complete – page 6 – J – Signature of applicant;
Complete – page 8 – N – Signature of nominee/authorized person. (Client should give written permission for this).
2. Passport
3. Return Airline Ticket
4. All firearm licenses for the gun/s accompanying the client. The SAPS realizes that some countries, eg. the US do not issue gun licenses. In this event the USA form 4457 is acceptable for USA citizens.
5. Proof of export of firearms from country or residence. (This is to proof that your firearms have been legally exported from your country of residence, if your country does not have an official export permit the SAPS require a letter from a government agency of your country of residence stating this. For USA citizens the 4457 form is acceptable.)
6. The completed SAP520 form filled in but unsigned (can also be filled in on arrival).
7. Letter of invitation from your Outfitter:
Letter on Outfitter’s official letterhead and include
Name of person being invited;
Duration of the hunter’s stay;
PH’s details – name, surname, licence number and the province he is licenced in;
Hunting Outfitter Details – same as above;
The physical address(s) and telephone number(s) of the farm(s) where the hunt(s) will take place;
Type of animals being hunted eg. big game, birdshooting etc.;
The recommended calibres required for hunt(s);
State that firearms will only be used for hunting purposes on mentioned properties;
Date and signature or Outfitter.
e. You will enter the firearm office. Your documentation will be inspected.
(If your documentation is not in order, you will be asked to rectify this.
The actual firearms and ammunition will be physically inspected to ensure the serial numbers match those of the licenses and the application forms.
You will then be asked to wait while your application is being processed.
f. When your application has been processed and your permit has been
issued you will have to sign for the permit. If you are connecting to other flights, please make sure that you allow ample time for this process.
REMEMBER THE ISSUING OF THE TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMITS IS FREE OF CHARGE. DO NOT TIP OR PAY ANY SAPS OFFICER FOR THIS SERVICE.
The following firearms and ammunition will not be allowed to enter South Africa:
· Any automatic or semi-automatic firearms,
· More than one firearm per calibre per person,
· More than 200 rounds of ammunition per person per firearm,
· Any pistol or revolver.
Reasons why your application will not be approved:
· If you have any of the abovementioned firearms and/or ammunition,
· If any of the supporting documents as required in #d cannot be produced,
· If you are less than 21 years of age,
Your application for a temporary import permit will be refused and your firearms and ammunition will be confiscated and will only be handed back to you when you depart back to your country of residence.
g. If you have a domestic connecting flight you have to do the following:
1. Exit the international terminal building;
2. Turn left. The domestic terminal is +- 500 meters away on your left-hand side;
3. At the domestic terminal, go to the second floor – this is domestic departures. Check in for your domestic flight;
4. Your rifle case will be tagged and you will be required to take it to the airline security desk that is situated just before the security checkpoint;
5. The airline security will check the serial number on your firearms and your temporary import permit.
THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS.
6. Keep our import permit in your possession;
7. Your firearm will be placed on the aircraft by the airline security;
8. Collect your firearm from the airline security desk at your domestic destination.
Should a firearm not be declared and a temporary import permit not issued, and you proceed through customs without declaring a firearm, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest on departure from South Africa.
Also, please ensure that your firearms 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 arrive on a separate flight. In this case, the firearm/s will be held by the SAPS until such time as you claim ownership in person.
For those clearing customs at any of the other international points of entry, please take note of the relevant suggestions made above which relate to documentation, requirements, etc.
h. If you have an international connecting flight you have to do the
following:
Use the elevator to go up to the international departure hall;
Check in for your international flight;
Your rifle case will be tagged and you will be required to take it to the airline security desk that is situated just before the security checkpoint;
The airline security will check the serial no of your firearms and your temporary import permit.
Your firearm will be placed on the aircraft by the airline security.
THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS SERVICE.
i. On your final departure from South Africa you have to do the following:
1. Check in for your international flight.
2. Your rifle case will be tagged and you will be required to take it to the airline security desk that is situated just before the security checkpoint.
3. The airline security will check the serial no of your firearms and your import permit.
THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS SERVICE.
4. On your final departure from South Africa the temporary import permit must be handed back when you check in your rifle case.
If anybody involved in the above-mentioned process asks you for money that person is trying to bribe you. That is a criminal offence. Every person involved in this process is in possession of an ACSA access card with his/her name and photograph. If a person tries to bribe you, ask them for their ACSA permit and make a note of their name.
Report it immediately to the South African Police Service. If it is a South African Police Service member that asks for money, report it immediately or as soon as possible to the Client Service Center in the multi storey parking area or any other SA Police Station. If any SA Police Service member refuses to take down your complaint or do not give you a
case reference no contact the SAPS commander at Jhb Int Airport Director B. M. Zuma at 0827789639 or Superintendent SB Mhlangu at 0835894220.
The temporary import permit serves as your firearm licence in South Africa and enables you to buy ammunition in South Africa for the calibres noted on the permit.
At all times while you are in possession of your firearms, you must have the temporary import permit on your person.
When you are not using the firearms, it must be locked in a safe.
On departure from South Africa, the process remains the same. You need to check in at your respective airlines, who will direct you to the Firearm Office.
Updates to this information will be posted on the PHASA Website (www.professionalhunters.co.za) if there are any developments/changes due to the SAPS Firearm Office location, etc.
To download the Temporary Importation of Friearms Click on the link - Download
Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA)
P. O. Box 10264
Centurion 0046
South Africa
Tel: +27 – (0)12 - 667 2048
Fax: +27 – (0)12 - 667 2049
phasa@pixie.co.za
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