Important update for hunters traveling to Zimbabwe

PHOENIX PHIL

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Gents,

I saw @Martin Pieters Safaris posted this on another forum and thought it needed to brought here.

"Folks, word of advice, all cash should be declared on arrival in Zimbabwe and also on leaving the country, a maximum of $ 1000 is allowed to be taken out. To avoid any unfortunate issues, rather travel with less cash.
Talk to your outfitter and PH for more details or contact Emmie at the ZPHGA office, zphga1@gmail.com"


If I was hunting Zim where trophy fees are to be paid before you leave the country, you need to pay attention to this. You will NOT want to take into the country the cash as if it's not spent it may be seized, so you'll need to make arrangements to have the cash wired in at the end of your hunt to protect your outfitter and your money. This is where a booking agent acting as a quasi-escrow agent comes in handy. But that needn't be the only way to handle this.

@CAustin, you were the first person I thought of when I read this. I'm sure you can arrange something with Pieter for your leopard hunt if you haven't alread. But wanted to make sure you saw this.
 
Adding to what looks like Zim falling further into economic despair, I have been reading that Zim is beginning to issue bond notes of some sorts to deal with the lack of currency.
 
Thank you Phil on this advice! Was nit aware of this! Pieter and I will work something out!
 
Thank you so much @PHOENIX PHIL.

I think that the rule has always been there. Here is what I have for Zimbabwe: ZIMBABWE Hunting Information: http://www.africahunting.com/threads/zimbabwe-hunting-information.14235/.

There is no limit as to the amount of foreign currency that a visitor can import into Zimbabwe, however the importation of Zimbabwe Dollar (ZD) is limited to US$50,000. There is no limit regarding the export of foreign currency as long as the visitor declares the foreign currency on an official declaration form when entering Zimbabwe. If no official declaration of the funds was made upon entry into the country, visitors departing Zimbabwe will only be allowed to export up to US$ 1,000 or risk having the money confiscated and/or being prevented from leaving the country pending a court appearance.
 
Thank you so much @PHOENIX PHIL.

I think that the rule has always been there. Here is what I have for Zimbabwe: ZIMBABWE Hunting Information: http://www.africahunting.com/threads/zimbabwe-hunting-information.14235/.

There is no limit as to the amount of foreign currency that a visitor can import into Zimbabwe, however the importation of Zimbabwe Dollar (ZD) is limited to US$50,000. There is no limit regarding the export of foreign currency as long as the visitor declares the foreign currency on an official declaration form when entering Zimbabwe. If no official declaration of the funds was made upon entry into the country, visitors departing Zimbabwe will only be allowed to export up to US$ 1,000 or risk having the money confiscated and/or being prevented from leaving the country pending a court appearance.

Perhaps it's just being a bit more enforced now to prompt Martin to post that.
 
Perhaps it's just being a bit more enforced now to prompt Martin to post that.

It would be a bummer to have to hunt more animals just because you took too much cash.:D
 
It would be a bummer to have to hunt more animals just because you took too much cash.:D

What would be worse would be passing on an animal and then having the cash confiscated. :A Banana Sad:

It would be interesting to know if this is really being enforced now....
 
I recommend to our clients to prepay what they think their trophy fee bill will be and we hold it in a special savings account for them. At the end of their hunt, the PH faxes or scans me an invoice and we wire the funds the same day. This way our clients don't have to worry about carrying large sums or cash. It works out very well.
 
What would be worse would be passing on an animal and then having the cash confiscated. :A Banana Sad:

It would be interesting to know if this is really being enforced now....

2014 they weren't enforcing it. Thankfully.;)
 
most outfitters have accounts in america that you can send your final amount owed to once you get back into the states.that is how i do it in zim and south africa.its not that they trust me,or you,its they have your trophys.
 
Guys it is being enforced, so to avoid any surprises, declare your cash on arrival on the Form 47 and then you can leave with it.
 
Thanks for the heads up. Forrest
 
I had THE most pleasant experience on arrival in Zim. The people were nice and gun clearance was a breeze.
Regards,
Philip
 
I had THE most pleasant experience on arrival in Zim. The people were nice and gun clearance was a breeze.
Regards,
Philip

Agree.

When they asked why I was there and I said hunting the lady just smiled and said "you must bring me back some biltong." I wish I could have!
 
Agree.

When they asked why I was there and I said hunting the lady just smiled and said "you must bring me back some biltong." I wish I could have!

When I was departing Bulawayo last year, my PH handed out a few small bags of biltong to various folks at the airport, just to keep good relations with everyone. I agree too that traveling in and out of Zim was very efficient and pleasent.
 
Good advise.
 
One more reason to declare all your money when you enter Zimbabwe on the customs form:

The bank of Zimbabwe gets involved in releasing CITES export permits. They require proof that the funds that paid for the trophies came from legitimate international customers. The customs declaration form shows that you brought the American (or European) cash into the country and that was the source for the trophy fees, etc.

IF you fail to do this, it is possible you will never get your trophies out of the country. Last July I had to provide these documents to the Pack/Ship, to ZimParks, to the National Bank, etc. The country is broke and they are searching for every dime possible. If you don't have documentation they are going to find a way to take your money from you.

The Blue Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Customs Declaration is your SHIELD that protects you and your trophies. Fail to declare at your own risk!
 
I'll be leopard hunting in august in Zimbabwe and plan to prewire my funds/expected trophies to my outfitter prior to going. Any idea if there would be CITES clearance issues from Zimbabwe government if I do it this way? Just trying to minimize my cash to drag around.
 

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