Travel Through Dubai

[Chris Scripsick]

I am going on a South Africa hunt in a few months and see that Air Fare is considerably less if I travel through Dubai. Are there any issues with fire arms when traveling through Dubai? I was on a direct flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg the last time we went.

 

[CAustin]

Others have indicated no problem but if it were me I'd stick with Delta.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Do a search of "emirates" and you will find a lot of posts on the subject.

From Permits to customer service.

 

[Divernhunter]

We flew South African Airlines when we went non-stop.

Can anyone compare the Delta and SSA flights for me? Need to think about my plane ride for 2017.

 

[BWH]

I am flying them on May 1st, out of DFW. I anticipate no problems. I have contacted them about my firearm & ammo. There is a form to complete.

 

[rookhawk]

Never forget Dubai is a muslim country, albeit the world's most liberal muslim nation. (except maybe Turkey)

So if you don't have your permits correct or you opt to bring prescription drugs in your bags without a proper prescription, or you misstate your ammo count, or you saying something insulting to their religion, culture, etc. no one will feel sorry for you if you're in prison for a decade. You do not bumble your way through dubai. They don't screw around.

Having said that, if you complete the mandatory firearm permit within two weeks of departure for a pass-through non-layover stay the police will approve it and you'll have absolutely no problems. Know the laws and how to comply at all times or do not travel over, around or through the middle east.

I would not rely on any advice on this forum from me or anyone else as to what is sufficient to travel through Dubai. Your life. Your freedom. Your hunt. Do your own research.

Having said that, I know what is required of me and I can think of no better way to travel than to Fly Emirates and connect through Dubai. I've done it previously, this summer I'll do it again on my way to Zimbabwe. Awesome service. Awesome place. They just take law and order far more seriously than anyplace you've ever travelled before.

 

[BWH]

Well, I have no intentions on lying or being untruthful or smuggling anything in. So hopefully, all will go swimmingly. Looking forward to the experience.

 

[rookhawk]

I wasn't suggesting otherwise. I was reminding you that they don't screw around. If you decided to lets say take one tablet of tylenol 3 with Codeine in your safari gear that you had left over from some dental work...just in case you legit needed a mild pain killer on safari along with surgical kit, antibiotics, etc. If you didn't have the script with it...10 years in prison. They view firearms permits the same way should you not have one or have overlooked a requirement for your 4 hour layover in UAE. Clerical errors are prison sentences.

Watch your garden variety Hallmark channel movie of the week about some American that does something marginal in the middle east and then is begging the state department to bail them out of a prison cell which usually happens 6-12 months later.

Not trying to be alarmist, just suggesting you know exactly what is expected of you if you're going to stopover in UAE or anywhere else in the muslim world. Great place for people that know and obey the law at all times. (I'd say 99.99% of Americans DO NOT obey the law at all times so behavior must change when transiting that area of the world)

 

[BWH]

That is very good advise certainly. I believe my layover is only 2 hours.... Hopefully, I will get to enjoy it & that won't be spent in lockdown while Dubai police are rifling through all my stuff.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Never forget Dubai is a muslim country, .........

Well, Dubai is actually a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Can't trust anyone.

 

[rookhawk]

As long as you have your "layover for 2 hour" permit / license in order you'll have a wonderful time in Dubai. I'd ask your airliner for the forms and review them very carefully.

For my airline to give me the forms and forward to Dubai police I needed:

Weight of my ammunition.
Quantity of ammunition.
Type of ammunition.
Type of guns.
Serial number of guns.
Purpose of trip.
Letter of invitation from the hosting PH/Outfitter.
Form 4457 Proving US ownership of the guns.
Copy of Passport.
Duration of layover before connecting flight.

All submitted 2 weeks ahead and authorization to transit through Dubai was granted.

Dubai - Come on vacation, leave on probation! All jokes aside, wonderful place and nice people. Great food. Great cigars. Great booze. (yes, really) Great shopping.

 

[rookhawk]

Well, Dubai is actually a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Can't trust anyone.

Actually, Dubai is a nation-state, not a city. The UAE is the United Arab Emirates. There are 7 emirates in total. Dubai and Abu Dhabi being the best well known of them. The royal families of each emirate swap over who is the "Emir" which I believe they call the president in a round-robin fashion.

 

[BRICKBURN]

President is separate...
All depends on who won the last Camel race!

It is both a City and Emir from what I understand, but for the purposes of the thread it won't matter.

You gave fair warning,... pay attention to the rules.

 

[BRICKBURN]

http://www.dubaiairports.ae/before-you-fly/procedures/security-customs

Customs
Like all countries, we have rules about what you can and can’t bring with you. Everyone who arrives must pass through customs, so please check the list below beforehand. Some items can result in fines or, in cases such as narcotic drugs, imprisonment.

If you are unsure about anything, please declare your goods when you arrive.



Personal allowances

• Gifts not exceeding AED 3,000.
• Cash above AED 100,000 must be declared.
• Maximum of 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 500 grams of tobacco.
• Maximum of 4 litres alcohol, 48 cans of beer.
• Medication: A maximum three-months supply of medication for your personal use. Please include an original prescription from a registered medical practitioner. All medications should be in original packaging, and not expired. No psychotropic medicines are allowed (even for personal use, in small quantity and/or with prescription) without prior approval from the Ministry of Health.

Items you cannot bring into the UAE

• All narcotic drugs.
• Gambling tools, machines.
• Ivory and rhinoceros horn.
• Trammel (fishing net with three layers).
• Forged or duplicate currency.
• Any printed material that contradicts Islamic teachings and/or decency, or that deliberately implies immorality or turmoil.
• Cooked and homemade foods.
• Radios, self-defence equipment, sharp-edged knives and swords.
• Pets and skins of endangered animals subject to CITES convention.
• Weapons, ammunition and military equipment.
• Fireworks and explosives.
• Trees, plants and soil.

Requirements are subject to change. Please consult Dubai Customs for additional details on entry requirements.

 

[BWH]

How many grams is a log of Skoal????

 

[AB2506]

The fastest I get to my destination with the fewest layovers is what I want. I think that reduces the chance that rifle and gear don't make it to the destination with me.

I fail to see how flying from Texas to Dubai to get to Africa is faster or with fewer layovers than using SAA or Delta from the east coast of the USA. I hope you are saving many hundreds or thousands and are bumped to first class.

 

[Erny]

I flew in 2014 UAE DFW-Dubai-Tambo. Had not problems traveling with guns or other issues. Extremely polite and no problems.....at all stops and. Transfers. We spent a couple of nights in Dubai on our way home. Airport police kept the firearm until we left. I would not even hesitate to fly UAE again.

 

[BWH]

The fastest I get to my destination with the fewest layovers is what I want. I think that reduces the chance that rifle and gear don't make it to the destination with me.

I fail to see how flying from Texas to Dubai to get to Africa is faster or with fewer layovers than using SAA or Delta from the east coast of the USA. I hope you are saving many hundreds or thousands and are bumped to first class.

Number of stops the same.... Nobody flys direct from DFW. So answer is 1. Bumped to business... Yes! Flying faster..... Well I have heard & learned, from advice on hear, from former pilot.... Don't count on short layovers.... You will find yourself missing last flight for Jo'berg until tomorrow & good luck with standby. So basically, when averaged... It's all about 25 hours... +\-

 

[AB2506]

Number of stops the same.... Nobody flys direct from DFW. So answer is 1. Bumped to business... Yes! Flying faster..... Well I have heard & learned, from advice on hear, from former pilot.... Don't count on short layovers.... You will find yourself missing last flight for Jo'berg until tomorrow & good luck with standby. So basically, when averaged... It's all about 25 hours... +\-

Not bad. KLM cattle class takes me 22 hours to Joberg from Calgary, just a 2hr stop in Amsterdam. Nice flight.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[CAustin]

In the end it doesn't matter how you get there....just get to Africa an hunt!