Afton GH Gun Service

I've booked a couple of nights on arrival in Jo'burg at the Afton GH. They offer a preapproved permit service for your guns. Has anyone used this service?

I wouldn't use it. There is forum thread on this website on how to fill out the gun registration form. It's pretty easy to do. Just don't bring a semi-auto gun, that's illegal. Afton has people at the airport all the time and they want to pick you up as soon as they can....so they will make sure you get through the gun registration process. Which is nice....because they know everyone in the know at Tambo.

I stayed in Afton earlier this year, on my way to Zimbabwe. It's only a basic guest house but it's clean and comfortable and I would stay there again. I didn't use the pre-approved service as I didn't think it necessary. The guy from Afton met me at Arrivals and is very familiar with the procedure; we had no difficulty with processing my rifle.

I took along the form required by the South African authorities (SAPS 520) and pre-completed it to speed up the process. Make sure you don't sign the form though; you have to sign in front of the official.

I have been to South Africa with firearms before without having anyone to assist me and I had no problem then. However, it is always useful to have someone local from Afton or somewhere similar, in case things go wrong.

Have a nice trip.

I have stayed there and used the service. From the earlier posts it seems not to be mandatory, I guess its personal preference. Personally, it was a minimal price to pay for piece of mind, as there is plenty of other stuff to worry about along the way. Knowing that the permit was approved ahead of time was a little reassuring.

Originally Posted by enysse

I wouldn't use it. There is forum thread on this website on how to fill out the gun registration form. It's pretty easy to do. Just don't bring a semi-auto gun, that's illegal. Afton has people at the airport all the time and they want to pick you up as soon as they can....so they will make sure you get through the gun registration process. Which is nice....because they know everyone in the know at Tambo.

Originally Posted by Gloucester

I stayed in Afton earlier this year, on my way to Zimbabwe. It's only a basic guest house but it's clean and comfortable and I would stay there again. I didn't use the pre-approved service as I didn't think it necessary. The guy from Afton met me at Arrivals and is very familiar with the procedure; we had no difficulty with processing my rifle.

I took along the form required by the South African authorities (SAPS 520) and pre-completed it to speed up the process. Make sure you don't sign the form though; you have to sign in front of the official.

I have been to South Africa with firearms before without having anyone to assist me and I had no problem then. However, it is always useful to have someone local from Afton or somewhere similar, in case things go wrong.

Have a nice trip.

I just wanted to follow up on this for the sake of others who might read it. I followed this advice. I had my SAPS 520 already filled out, but also unsigned. Jacque from Afton took my wife and I down to the SAPS office and got us through the process quickly. It was cheaper than prepaying someone for this service to be sure, Jacque received a nice tip however for this. I thought it worth that.