My Guns in Africa

[jeffpg]

Hi guys,
I'm looking for some information on how I can legally have my own firearms permanently stationed in South Africa and/or Namibia.

I live in the United States and I work a 28 on/28 off rotation offshore out of Angola. This gives me the ability to conveniently visit various places in Africa on my time off, mainly for either planned or last minute hunting opportunities.

I have a archery hunting set up in Africa that I currently have shipped from one local to another for me, and so far I have had great luck with using rifles owned by the PH's that I've hunted with.

However, I want to have my own rifle and shotgun stationed in South Africa and/or Namibia to hunt with when I occasionally drop in. I have a trusted PH in the Limpopo province of SA to leave these with in my absence, and I hope to soon build the same relationship in Namibia.

I am hopefully thinking that this can be accomplished. I have heard that I can obtain renewable one year permits. I would prefer bringing firearms that I have at home, but I will purchase them in SA and/or Namibia if needed.

I looked into doing this in Botswana a couple of years ago but ran into problems with their regulations. I also remember potential issues with leaving the states with a firearm that I return without.

Your insight and input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Jeff,

This does seem to be a tough one and I'm not sure it can legally be accomplished. I would check with Henry Durrheim at riflepermits.com to see if this is possible.

 

[jeffpg]

Thanks Phil, I sent them a email.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Jeff, the local guys have a hard enough time.
But here is one suggestion of the process done by a citizen.

"Returning to SA with a firearm after working abroad
I have had practical experience if this when I returned to SA with two shotguns.

The way you do this is as follows:-
1) ensure that the FA is licenced to you in Zambia;
2) get the necessary export permit from Zambia and temporary import licence from SA;
3) have the weapons shipped to SA once the SA import permit had been granted;
4) use a customs clearance agent (or if you are super organized), clear customs for the FA yourself and pay any required importduties;
5) lodge the necessary FA Licence applications with the SAPS (I am assuming that you already have a competency -- I did);
6) monitor the expiry of the import permit (if this is close to expiring, apply to the SAPS for an extension (I needed to do this);
7) wait for the Licence to be granted."


My suggestion is have a chat with these guys:

http://www.attorneysguide.co.za/mj-hood-and-associates-attorneys.html

 

[spike.t]

wayne he must have had a work permit for zambia to be able to get the guns licensed in his name there, so a bit different for jeff who wont have permits of any type for SA or namibia.......................jeff dont know anything about how it works in angola, but presumably you have a work permit or similar for there? so can you try and get a licence for angola and then travel with them from there......?

 

[jeffpg]

Thanks Brick, I sent them a email.

Spike, I do have a work Visa for Angola & that's a nice idea you have there but I can't even bring a bow through Luanda... a firearm? Forget that!

I won't even go any farther with that issue except to say that Angola, and especially Luanda, are not user friendly at all for us foreign types.

 

[spike.t]

Thanks Brick, I sent them a email.

Spike, I do have a work Visa for Angola & that's a nice idea you have there but I can't even bring a bow through Luanda... a firearm? Forget that!

I won't even go any farther with that issue except to say that Angola, and especially Luanda, are not user friendly at all for us foreign types.

need you there but dont want you there...........

 

[BRICKBURN]

wayne he must have had a work permit for zambia to be able to get the guns licensed in his name there, so a bit different for jeff who wont have permits of any type for SA or namibia.......................jeff dont know anything about how it works in angola, but presumably you have a work permit or similar for there? so can you try and get a licence for angola and then travel with them from there......?

It was just the typical steps I wanted to highlight. Lot's of permits from several government departments and that was for a citizen never mind a foreigner.
Maybe there is a way, with determination and money.

 

[spike.t]

It was just the typical steps I wanted to highlight. Lot's of permits from several government departments and that was for a citizen never mind a foreigner.
Maybe there is a way, with determination and money.

as you say wayne it was for someone with a connection to the country, but when there is no connection then it will be a big struggle i think. as jeff says he has a work permit for angola but there isnt a hope of it helping him in that country. i hope jeff finds a way but it maybe he has to buy a rifle that someone, a ph maybe gets licensed in his name and jeff "rents" it from him when he is in country??

 

[BRICKBURN]

. i hope jeff finds a way but it maybe he has to buy a rifle that someone, a ph maybe gets licensed in his name and jeff "rents" it from him when he is in country??

Me thinks this is the type of creativity that will be required in order to get this done in anything like a timely fashion.

 

[Wheels]

i hope jeff finds a way but it maybe he has to buy a rifle that someone, a ph maybe gets licensed in his name and jeff "rents" it from him when he is in country??

spike.t, You sure you don't just want Jeff to leave a Rigby double with you to play with till he needs it.

Me thinks this is the type of creativity that will be required in order to get this done in anything like a timely fashion.

I'm liking the way you guys are thinking. Not sure if it will work if the rifle is in say RSA and you want to hunt in Zambia with spike.t, but I'm liking the way you guys are thinking.

Jeff, if you figure out a way to do it I would like to hear about it.

All the best.

 

[spike.t]

spike.t, You sure you don't just want Jeff to leave a Rigby double with you to play with till he needs it.




Jeff, if you figure out a way to do it I would like to hear about it.

All the best.

well i do know which gun shop in lusaka has a very nice new verney-carron .470 double for sale.........

 

[jeffpg]

need you there but dont want you there...........

You hit the nail perfectly on the head with that one brother. Sad but true.

I just made it to the airport in Houston, Texas after hunting a couple of weeks with Bossie in Limpopo and I don't even have the words to describe how much fun I had with that huntin' fool!
I'm already making plans for a return visit.

That's what has me wanting my own rifle & shotgun stashed there. I did the same dang thing after my first trip at Kanana in Botwana with Jason.

I find myself amusing in that when I see the Klipspringer bounce around up in the cliffs, or think of calling the Red Duiker in the brushy mountainsides, or get long range shooting opportunities on those crafty baboons, etc. I automatically begin to mentally create the perfect rifle & optic/cartridge & bullet combo to take back with me. I guess that's what a rifle looney does...
It's very frustrating to have so many great hunting firearms at home with no real good way to get them to where the real action is!

Thanks for all the ideas & help fellows. Together, we'll get something figured out I think.