Firearm Importation Legislation

               
       Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes should
       try to obtain a copy of the Temporary Firearm Import Application -
       SAP311 in advance from their hunting outfitter, and complete this form
       before arrival in South Africa. This is recommended if possible to help
       streamline the entry process. The form however can be filled out on
       arrival. The form must be completed in black ink and left unsigned until
       the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the
       actual permit at the airport.


       Required along with the SAP311 will be the following:
       * Passport 
       * Airline Ticket 
       * Proof of Ownership, i.e. firearm licenses, etc.


       While the South African Police Service has been lenient up until now
       regarding proof of ownership, they are now stricter in this regard. To
       preclude any problems on arrival, please make sure you have proof of
       ownership by the way of a gun license, customs declaration letter from
       the country of origin, etc. Proof of ownership is obligatory.


       * Contact Details for Client While in South Africa
       Please make sure that you have the company name, and the name of your
       outfitter, as well as addresses and contact telephone numbers in South
       Africa of where they will be staying/hunting during the course of your
       hunt. Both business telephone number and cell number must be supplied.
       This information is necessary for the actual Temporary Import Permit, as
       well as if the Police need to get in contact for any reason.
       
       We would recommend a letter from the outfitter addressed to the client
       with all these details which the client can produce on arrival. The
       police are also fully aware of the nature conservation legislation and
       the fact that a hunt undertaken by a foreign client legally must be
       organized by a hunting outfitter, therefore if a client cannot produce
       who his outfitter is and where he will be hunting, it may be presumed he
       does not have an outfitter and could be operating illegally in South
       Africa. In such a case the SAPS may not issue a Temporary Import Permit
       and hold the client's firearm/s in safekeeping until that client leaves
       South Africa.

       * Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure the serial
       numbers match those of the licenses and the application forms.
       Ammunition will also be inspected, and it is important to note that this
       ammunition also requires a permit.
 
       * For visitors clearing customs at the Johannesburg International
       Airport, please take note the following procedure to be followed on
       arrival:
 
       * Clear passport control in whichever Terminal where the flight
       arrives. (Generally, SAA and its co-partners at Terminal 2, and all
       other airlines in Terminal 1).
 
       * 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 receipt for the
       firearm/s. 

       * Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Ofice. Look for the
       office signage.
       (N.B. Do not at this stage proceed to customs)
 
       * On receipt of the temporary import permit at the SAP Firearms
       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 suggestions made above
       which relate to documentation, requirements, etc.
       Please ensure sufficient time is allowed to go through the temporary
       importation permit 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 three hours should
       be set aside for this procedure.

       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/they 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.

       Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling of a firearm at
       Johannesburg International Airport, or any port of entry. This is a free
       service and the South African Police Service asks clients not to pay
       anybody involved in handling firarms from the time of arrival in South
       Africa right through until you received your firearm and the permit from
       the SAPS. Clients that are paying the various airline company staff or
       the security company involved are actually creating a problem. Please
       note however that there is a handling fee charged by airlines and/or
       security companies for the handling of handguns.

       Temporary Import Permits (SAP312) are issued to the particular person
       and are not transferable. Temporary Import permits are issued for a
       period of 90 or 180 days. When the visitor departs from the country, he
       MUST take all the firearms as stated on the Import Permit with him. He
       is not allowed to leave any of the firearms mentioned on the SAP 312 in
       South Africa.
 
       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.

       *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, but not for rifles.
       No more than one firearm per caliber and 200 rounds per caliber will be
       allowed into the country. The only exception to this is for shotguns,
       where more than one shotgun of the same caliber may be allowed for bird
       hunting purposes if the client produces on arrival at the South African
       Police Gun Office an acceptable written motivation as to why he/she
       requires more than one shotgun of the same caliber.
       Permits will only be issued for ammunition which is accompanied by a
       firearm of the same caliber.

       Temporary Import Permits will not be issued for anyone under the age of
       21.

       Prohibitions of firearms are: (Section 32 of the Arms and Ammunition
       Act, 1969) (Act. No 75 of 1969)

       * Automatic Rifles 
       * Semi-automatic Rifles 
       * Automatic or Semi-Automatic Shotguns 
       * Hand Carbines
 
       Strict controls on automatic and semi-automatic firearms are enforced.
       
       This will affect clients wanting to bring in semi-automatic shotguns on
       temporary import permits. The latest requirement which is in effect
       immediately is that no temporary import permit will be issued unless the
       application is made in advance together with a motivational letter as to
       why the shotgun is needed. The application must be made through the
       Central Firearms Registry.
       
       The SAPS requests applications for semi-automatic shotguns be made well
       in advance so that the necessary administrative work can be completed
       authorizing the issuing of the permit before the client arrives in South
       Africa. No application on arrival will be considered.
       
       No temporary imports will be issued for semi-automatic or automatic
       rifles.