SAP Form Requirements

[Shootist43]

I plan on using a Sporterized 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser for the smaller animals included in my upcoming Plains Game Hunt in August. The rifle was manufactured in Sweden in the early 1900(s) by the CARL GUSTAFS STADS GEVARSFAKTORI. The rifle's serial number is clearly visible. However there is no caliber information stamped into the barrel or action. I see that the SAPS Form 520 (in the Details of the Firearm Section 1.3) requires the Caliber of the rifle to be stated.

My question is this: Does the caliber need to be stamped or engraved into the barrel and or action in order for it to be "imported" into South Africa? Or is simply stating the caliber on the form sufficient?

Just as a side-note I own several WW I and WW II military rifles i.e. Springfield 03(s) and Remington 03 A3(s) and none of them show the rifle's caliber.

 

[JimP]

I suppose that they want the caliber because of the restriction that you can only bring in ammo in the same caliber as the rifle that you are bringing.

 

[CAustin]

Great question! Ask your outfitter first. Then email Henry at Riflepermits.com.

 

[siml]

If it's not an issue to have it engraved, I would suggest you do it.

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

I don't think it will be an issue if you're only bringing one rifle. Write the caliber in the SAP520. If you have any official paperwork matching the caliber to the serial no take it along in case but I don't foresee an issue.

 

[siml]

You get the wrong officer on duty at OR Tambo and you might just have a problem. I would definitely rather get the correct facts on law.

 

[Shootist43]

Great question! Ask your outfitter first. Then email Henry at Riflepermits.com.

Thanks Charlie, my Outfitter's Rep. in the U.S. has been out of the office for several days. I will be contacting him. In the meantime I will email Henri. I just had the barrel cut down from 29" to 24 " and re-crowned, in the process it was re-blued. I don't want to do anything to the barrel or action unless I absolutely have to.

 

[CAustin]

Shootist43 I understand not wanting to mess up the blue ing but you may well have to! As TMS noted if you get the wrong officer in the SAPs office they may hold your rifle!

 

[JG416]

Given that you have already modified the barrel and there is no issue with keeping it in absolute original condition, I would recommend that you save yourself the stress and worry and have the cal. engraved/stamped on the barrel. Even if technically you don't have to it will greatly simplify and speed things up with the SAP office. It is often more efficient to be obvious and standard, the same as the other hundreds of rifles they inspect daily; than to be technically correct and complicated with a situation they don't understand and recognize.

 

[Shootist43]

Thanks guys for all of your input. Like most of you I thought I was going to have to get the Caliber stamped into the firearm's action or barrel. However, per Charlie's suggestion I contacted Henry Durrheim at henry@riflepermits.com and got the following reply :

"Dear Sir, You don’t have to stamp the calibre on the rifle, you can just list the calibre on the SAPS520 form."

For months I've been contemplating using Henry's rifle import services, his reply to a fellow AH member without any request for compensation or assurance of future business "cemented that deal." It feels great to have "good" legal help on our side for a change! Thanks again Henry.

 

[CAustin]

Shootist43,
Happy to help. Henry is just like you suggest.....helpful with no expectation that you are going to do business with him.
I would suggest that you also use his VIP meet and greet! It makes your trip through customs easy! And the line at the SAPs office melts as the Riflepermits.com rep goes to the front of the line to get your rifles.

 

[Divernhunter]

Yes and the people do not give him the trouble they might give you.
After my last trip and almost missing a plane I will be using them in 2017. They actually did help me get our rifles thru and on the next plane. It would have been easier, less stressful and cheaper if I had just started with them.

Lesson learned.

 

[JimP]

One of the best things that I did on my trip last year was to use a meet and greet at the Joberg airport. While it wasn't Henry's company I had the same experience. We were taken to the front of the lines and whisked through to pick up our rifles and then to the SAP's office with no problems. On the return trip they met us just after we picked up our rifles near the baggage claim and were escorted through the Joberg airport and we said good by at the security line. It is well worth the extra money that it cost and if I do go back I'll use them again or even Riflepermits.com for a meet and greet.