Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Paperwork, anyone else confused about procedures?

Been Going through some Travel Paperwork pains with the SAPS 520, and the passport renewal lag time, as well as a lot of the firearm permit companies that have a bit of a scam feel to them. has anyone else had issues, recent experiences, or have advice to offer to make this a less anxiety riddles operation?

Do yourself a favor and hit the Simple button - https://www.gracytravel.com/

Yup. There's also Travel Express, and I'm sure others that know their stuff.

I've used a couple of the firearm permit outfits. Both they and perhaps your safari outfitter will have examples of properly filled out forms for you to use. Just ask them.
If your plane lands at the same time the rest of the hunting world shows up, you'll be glad to have your permit rep escort you through the firearm & permitting process on arrival. Not a scam.

I finally got smart and fly a route that lands me at 2am - 3am and I'm usually 1 of only a half-dozen that need to collect their cases at the same time.

i have most of my paper work done now i leave mid may what a cluster fk. yes its a pain and not simple . i can`t wait for the air port crap next with my rifle and i guess S.E. Africa has a whole bunch more bull chit when we get to that area. i am not sure this trip is worth it anymore ? but i got about 5 grand in it now with tickets purchased and down payment what a joke this better get easier or this will be my 1st and last trip. a trip out west in a America is so much more simpler and from now on i will do that . Pete53

What you're experiencing pete53 is what has kept me from hunting Africa. I'd like to go, but it would have to be with someone who's gone through the process before.

It can be a good bit confusing for the first time. Obviously, you can hire a agency to do them for you but, you still need to supply them the same documents below anyway. The up-side to a "meet & greet" agency is they also meet you at the gate, walk you to the SAPS office and to the hotel entrance if you stay at the City Lodge Hotel in the airport complex. IF your Outfitter/PH is personally meeting you and picking you up in Jberg, they are very likely to do the firearm paperwork for you too.

1. Copy of your current Passport with at least 6-months of validity from the date you expect to leave. Some countries require the 6-months, some don't. Just play it safe.

2. Copy of your US Customs Form, 4457. Since the US does not "currently" require an actual license for a long gun, foreign countries consider the 4457 as our "license". Some of the previous 4457's have had an "expiration" date un the upper left hand corner. The 4457 is actually valid for life for USG purposes but some foreign govts view it to mean the "license" expires then and have jammed a few guys up. The most recent version omits the expiration date at the top.

3. Copy of your "Invitation" or "Motivation" letter from the outfitter you plan on hunting with. This is required even if you are NOT hunting in RSA but just getting a "transit permit" for an overnight stay in Jberg and on to another country the next day.

4. Copy of your airline ticket to prove dates of travel in/out etc.

5. Copy of the SAPS 520. You only need to fill out certain sections and NOT the entire form. Send me a PM with your email address and I'll send you an example copy to use.

Put one complete set of these 5 documents in brown manila envelope in your rifle case. One set in your ammo box and carry a set with you in your carry-on.

WYOSTEVE - I'm going to Bots with two other guys this Aug and have room for two more. Not only do I do all the paperwork, I travel with you there and back to the US Point of Entry - this year being Atlanta.

EDITED TO ADD SOME CLARIFICATIONS

1- Most southern African countries do NOT require a pre-approved entry visa. They are free when you clear their immigration check-points and are just stamped in the visa pages at the back of your passport. SOME countries do require you to have a LEAST TWO empty visa pages when you first enter. Last time I was in ZIM, you did pay a visa fee upon entry and they put a visa sticker on one page.

2 - The 4457 has to be signed and certified by a US Customs Office. That can be difficult if you don't live near one.

3 - Clearing your firearms in the SAPS office can be a bit of a circus, especially if you're going during peak hunting season (late May - mid Aug). The meet & greet services and the outfitters/PH's meeting and picking up clients have the actual temp import permits done ahead of time and those generally take priority if you're doing your own but, the police tend to deal with the rifle cases as they arrive from the aircraft. Process is pretty easy, you tell the office what case is yours, give them the paperwork, they'll tell you to open the case to confirm the make/model/serial numbers, relock the case. They'll enter the info off your 520 into their computer and once it's printed out, they will give it to you and you have to sign a registration book/ledger and you're on your way.

4 - IF you are catching either a domestic or regional follow-on flt the next morning, make sure you're at the check-in desk at least two hours early. Declare your rifle(s) and ammo to the agent. You'll likely have to remove your ammo case from your checked bag and they will tag it separately (without extra charge). You'll have to go over to the "Special Services" desk and pay the firearm handling fee (they take CC's) and any over-weight bag fee(s) and they will print out your boarding pass. An airline rep will escort your firearms to the Domestic SAPS Office or back to the main SAPS Office to pass your case to the airlines. Then, just back thru security to your domestic flt gate or security and immigration again, to your international gate.

Paying the pretty reasonable fee for a meet and greet service and advance firearms permit is some of the best money you will ever spend on an African hunt.

Your outfitter should have someone to assist in JoBerg.

Port Elizabeth might cost you a 20.00 bribe and a coke.

I'd be glad to pass along the info of a local guy in Joberg. 100 bucks, he'll assist with the paperwork. Will meet you coming back, get you to where you need to go, etc.



Great guy

Mr. X?

Yes, royal PITS, just like at tax time, i throw my chit in a box and drop off at accounting firm with blank signed check, ""here, fill this out for the amount of your services, keep my ass out of jail, see you next year!""

There are people who do this kind of work for a living, they are up on the ever changing rules/regs, I don't suffer that bull crap, am not ashamed to admit I'm just a dummy with a checkbook in those situations, good luck and have a blast, the bitter pill of paperwork formalities will quickly fade when you begin downing animals!

LMAO.....!!!! Good stuff gunner, agree 100% with your paid professional in Africa assessment !

You bet JG old bud, hey man, if i need confirmation on how dim my little bulb really burns, i'll simply talk to my Wife or watch an episode of Jeopardy! it's all good! ; ]

Air 2000 Hunter’s Support.

I use them to meet me at the gate, grab the luggage, go through immigration in the expedited line, preapproved gun permit, interaction with the police, escort to City Lodge hotel.

Next morning they escort back to airport, interaction with the police, checked onto flight.

Well worth the money.

Nice friendly staff.

https://www.hunterssupport.com/hunters/

Thank you all for the comments and advice, Since I posted, I went with the Outfitter recommended Permit Company, I have to say I went to South Africa about 12 years ago, without such support and it all went well, I was apprehensive and ready with the US 4457 form- everything just seemed so much simpler and easier, very little hassle and little time spent at the Johannesburg airport- it was a late flight if that had any bearing.
This time around there was more - the 4457 signed and stamped, flight itinerary, invitation letter, and a dreaded SAPS520- with a section for finger prints for people that cannot read! also the Mandate waiver for handling your permits, and my source of apprehension, a delayed renewal of my Passport, that gummed up the works with all the safari people, travel agencies and permit people involved. it finally arrived and with dozens of copies and scanned documents sent everywhere imaginable I now have a "preapproved package" with all the usual "we're not liable or responsible for anything" fine print. that and the uncertainty of just what could happen at the airports and boarding,

I did take WoodsyAI's advise to heart and paid for the service- it still seems odd after doing it alone before, but never pass up good advice based on real experience.

pete53, I feel right in that same vein for sure, I have the same apprehensions, and frustrations! I fear one forgotten serial number, or not filled out form could end a very expensive trip. its a very real concern for sure however having went once before, and literally having the time and the hunt of my life, I certainly want to assure you it will be worth it!
another incentive was the last few days watercooler work topic has been the applications for western sate hunts (Elk Deer, Pronghorn, etc.) the points and lottery systems, and of course the astronomically low chances of actually getting any permits. while in the midst of that roundhouse discussion, the reality that within a month I'll be hunting and seeing some magnificent animals, all truly unique, on the fabled "Dark Continent" none-the-less! a hunting trip worthy of leather bound books and campfire stories! and there is no years and years of applications and waiting. just go see stuff! shoot stuff!! have a literally a true adventure and see some of the most incredible country ever
thank for all your posts, your comments and personal experiences helped me continue through the process! Desertshooter

Have a wonderful trip! All of this hassle, and it is real, will soon be forgotten. Look forward to reports!

As stated, I'm happy to pass along his information if someone is having difficulties or wants his info.

Guys name is "Tumi" - short for ?? I have his FB account and his What's App number/info.

I've used two other people by the recommendation of whatever outfitter and they did their jobs, as requested with meeting you and jumping ahead of the line. Tumi came at the recommendation of the past outfitter and he really went over and above. Met us, got us to our hotel, met us in the AM to get us onto our next flight. Met us at our return to JoBerg and waited around to get us checked in. Cost a 100 bucks and we each gave him another 20.00. Money very well spent and I plan to use him again come '25


PS: For anyone traveling over there, recommend downloading the "Whats APP" to your phone. It's pretty much how they all communicate and you can just use it to call off of Wi-Fi vs having a SIM card.