When traveling to South Africa would you recommend using a company to go through customs with firearms?

This question may have been asked before but I would like to try again. When traveling to SA how many of you recommend using a company like riflepermits.com and I think another is SA2000? And other companies that expedite your SA rifle permit for you? Or should you just do the paperwork yourself and get it in on your own? I have heard horror stories about doing it on your own....like 2-3 hours in customs. I have a friend who has been to SA 3 times and did it on his own and had no problem. Just getting close to leaving and I have to make the decision....$300 for expedite or on my own (with the risk but free) ??

RickB,
You can have a meet and greet service, with your import permits already taken care of by the time you arrive done by PHASA.I think they charge $140. Here is the link: Temporary Firearm Import Pre-issued Permits - PHASA Service

Let me kow if there is anything else I can help you with.
All the best for your hunt!

Best Regards
Marius Goosen

Marius, thanks for the info. After reading your link and riflepermits.com I do not think I will have the time to mail them the required paperwork. I am leaving April 28th and they need the paperwork 25 and 21 days prior to your arrival. Plus it is $140 per gun and approx.$100 to mail the paperwork(FedEx). I am not sure this will work. I might run out of time. I think I might have to do this on my own!

I only can tell you my own experience from the last two times in JHB, it took me no more than half an hour. We Spanish hunters have a guy who helps us if we need it, I think he works for Iberia Airline the company we usually fly with. I always have all the paperwork done from Spain. But as you say, I heard that some time ago it could take, as you say, three hours.. Do not forget that all depends on the amount of hunters that arrive at the same time.

I would do the paperwork myself, Tambo International Airport is a lot better than it use to be before the World Cup.

I you are staying at the Afton House, they will ensure you get through OK, and they have a airport contact at all times if you need help.

But seriously, be polite and kind and you should have no problems.

I've done the paperwork myself twice without hassle. As enysse said, be patient and polite and you will soon get to the head of the queue in front of all the 'Big White Hunters' demanding 'their rights'.

I've come to beleive that a certain personality type that has not adapted to 'Africa time' ( and methods ) usually has trouble at Tambo Int'l..

I used VIP Gun Permits associated with Afton Guest House in 2009 and it was only 90 bucks then, likely more now but it was well worth the assist.

Originally Posted by Code4

I've come to beleive that a certain personality type that has not adapted to 'Africa time' ( and methods ) usually has trouble at Tambo Int'l..

Fine words indeed. Africa is a great continent and if you treat her good, she gives back 100 percent.

Well I sent the paperwork out today. I am going use Riflepermits.com.$90 a gun. My PH said to use them. Since this is my first trip I will use the company. My second,third,forth etc..I will do it myself. My dad and I just want this first trip to go smooth. PH said he would pick us up at the airport (5:30 arrival p.m) I just didn't want to get stuck for 2 hrs and get back to camp real late.

One again thanks for the advice!!

Originally Posted by enysse

I would do the paperwork myself, Tambo International Airport is a lot better than it use to be before the World Cup.
But seriously, be polite and kind and you should have no problems.

+1 on that.

It took about around a half hour to process the paperwork for myself and my hunting buddy in Sept last year. A lot of that time was waiting for the rifles to arrive.

Do it yourself and put the money towards another animal..

Johnfox, I am afraid that is too late. You are right nowadays half of the waiting time is waiting for the rifle and bullets

+1

Originally Posted by johnfox

It took about around a half hour to process the paperwork for myself and my hunting buddy in Sept last year. A lot of that time was waiting for the rifles to arrive.

Sometimes the rifles arrive fast at the desk and other times it takes forever, probably due to more flights arriving at the same time.

RickB,

Over the year when traviling to or through RSA I've used Henry at Riflepermits.com and each and every time the process went like clock work and I was in and out in 30-45 minutes.
Gregf

Originally Posted by Gregf

RickB,

Over the year when traviling to or through RSA I've used Henry at Riflepermits.com and each and every time the process went like clock work and I was in and out in 30-45 minutes.
Gregf

Please click on the link below for Henry's company , it takes all the red tape out of SA Police Service's [SAPS] hands !
The delay is not customs , but the SAPS !

Spot on!!!!

my best always

Glad to see these posts, my paperwork has been with Henry for a few weeks now. Looking forward to getting out of the SAPS office quickly and on to more important things prior to my connecting flight, like a cold Castle!

You are going to be out there around the same time I will be getting there (May 8). I also set up with riflepermits.com & added the VIP service to speed things along, and hopefully save any issues. As this is my first trip it was cheap in the grand scheme of things.

Wow, its been a while since I posted this! 2+ years. Sadly, that was when I went. Which is entirly to long between trips. But back to the question at hand. Everything went smoothly with riflepermits.com. I have mentioned in other threads that it went great. Just never here. We were the last people to pick up/follow our guns to the saps office. Yet we where one of the first out. I think it was the best money spent on the trip. I know others others say they are a waist, but I did not have the time to waist. When I go again. I will use them again.

I agree 100%... We had a great experience using riflepermits.com as well. Money well spent!

I have had good luck using these services, but I have also had them fail to show up at the airport, therefore I always have multiple copies of completed unsigned paperwork with me in case I have to handle it myself.