Packing Ammo for South Africa

[WIDuckHunter]

Rookie question -- going on first time hunting safari to Limpopo in June, with my 16 year old son. Taking 300 Win Mag and 308. Planning to take 60 rounds of ammo for each. I assume ammo needs to be separate from rifles in checked luggage? Does it need to be in a locked case, and can both calibers go in one ammo case? Any suggestions as to best cases, etc.?

To extent it matters, will be flying Lufthansa through Frankfurt to Joberg. Thanks!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Yes, it needs to be in a locked case.
Typically you can put it in your checked bag, check with Lufthansa but last time I flew with them I put it in my checked bag and then removed it for domestic RSA flight to PE.
I like the pelican 1200 case for my ammo but I don’t ever take that much ammo with me.

 

[Divernhunter]

Locked case. Once in SA you will have to take it out of the baggage and it will be separate. Be sure to have a tag on it.
I used a Pelican case #1200 and a TSA lock. No ammo with rifles. You can put both in one case. Same goes for the rifles, both can be in one case. Use a regular padlock for the rifle case and only you/son have the key. You can take 11lbs of ammo as I remember. If more then take one case for each of you. When my daughter went with me we had 3 rifles in 2 cases and 2 boxes of ammo. Ammo can be in factory boxes or the plastic boxes us reloads use. No loose ammo.
Better to have too much ammo than not enough. Like if you need to re-sight a rifle or shoot more animals. I used a lot my last trip but I was there a month and shot a bunch of animals plus a lot of monkeys and 14 baboons for fun and pest control.

Good luck. What do you plan to shoot?

 

[JimP]

You don't have to get fancy with a ammo box. Some on here have just used a lockable metal or plastic lunchbox. On my trip a friend used a plastic GI ammo can.

On my flight to Port Elizabeth nothing was said about ammo when we went through Joberg to PE. But on the flight back the gal at the check in desk in PE asked for us to take the ammo out of our checked luggage. Then once back in Joberg we just put it back into our checked luggage for the trip back.

As I am sure that you have read on here TSA locks on the ammo box and your checked luggage. A non TSA lock on your rifle case. I even placed a open lock inside of my rifle case just in case they cut the lock off for some reason. I didn't worry about a lock for my checked bag since if they wanted into it they would get into it. All my camera gear and binoculars came with me in my carry on. On the way down I also had a change of clothes in my carry on along with all of my meds just in case my suitcase got lost somewhere. I wore a pair of boots that I could hunt in if needed.

Have you planned on doing the SAPS 520 form yourself or have someone in SA do it for you? We used a meet and greet company in Joberg and it was well worth the $80 we spent. They met us as we got off of the plane, took us through VIP customs and handled our rifle permits by getting them preapproved. We were taken to the front of all the lines and then left at the security checkpoint as we headed to PE. They then met us on our way back just outside of the secure area after we picked up our rifles. They then took us through the airport to recheck out bags for our flight home. Did I say it was well worth the $80 we spent?

 

[300wm]

We used a meet and greet company in Joberg and it was well worth the $80 we spent. They met us as we got off of the plane, took us through VIP customs and handled our rifle permits by getting them preapproved. We were taken to the front of all the lines and then left at the security checkpoint as we headed to PE. They then met us on our way back just outside of the secure area after we picked up our rifles. They then took us through the airport to recheck out bags for our flight home. Did I say it was well worth the $80 we spent?

Could you tell me what meet and greet company you have used?

 

[WIDuckHunter]

Locked case. Once in SA you will have to take it out of the baggage and it will be separate. Be sure to have a tag on it.
I used a Pelican case #1200 and a TSA lock. No ammo with rifles. You can put both in one case. Same goes for the rifles, both can be in one case. Use a regular padlock for the rifle case and only you/son have the key. You can take 11lbs of ammo as I remember. If more then take one case for each of you. When my daughter went with me we had 3 rifles in 2 cases and 2 boxes of ammo. Ammo can be in factory boxes or the plastic boxes us reloads use. No loose ammo.
Better to have too much ammo than not enough. Like if you need to re-sight a rifle or shoot more animals. I used a lot my last trip but I was there a month and shot a bunch of animals plus a lot of monkeys and 14 baboons for fun and pest control.

Good luck. What do you plan to shoot?

Thanks! Kudu, warthog and impala are the main ones on our list. Thinking a gemsbuck, wildebeest or hartebeest might make the list as well. Trying to stay open to what the hunt gives us within my budget!

For the rifle case, I think I may have heard that SA has some rule that you need a lock on every padlock hole on the gun case. Any idea if that's true? I bought a Pelican Storm Double Rifle Case that has 6 padlock holes on it.

 

[WIDuckHunter]

Could you tell me what meet and greet company you have used?

I hired Henry from Rifle Permits. He has been very responsive and I've seen a lot of good reviews on him here and other places. He was also recommended by my outfitter.

 

[WIDuckHunter]

You don't have to get fancy with a ammo box. Some on here have just used a lockable metal or plastic lunchbox. On my trip a friend used a plastic GI ammo can.

On my flight to Port Elizabeth nothing was said about ammo when we went through Joberg to PE. But on the flight back the gal at the check in desk in PE asked for us to take the ammo out of our checked luggage. Then once back in Joberg we just put it back into our checked luggage for the trip back.

As I am sure that you have read on here TSA locks on the ammo box and your checked luggage. A non TSA lock on your rifle case. I even placed a open lock inside of my rifle case just in case they cut the lock off for some reason. I didn't worry about a lock for my checked bag since if they wanted into it they would get into it. All my camera gear and binoculars came with me in my carry on. On the way down I also had a change of clothes in my carry on along with all of my meds just in case my suitcase got lost somewhere. I wore a pair of boots that I could hunt in if needed.

Have you planned on doing the SAPS 520 form yourself or have someone in SA do it for you? We used a meet and greet company in Joberg and it was well worth the $80 we spent. They met us as we got off of the plane, took us through VIP customs and handled our rifle permits by getting them preapproved. We were taken to the front of all the lines and then left at the security checkpoint as we headed to PE. They then met us on our way back just outside of the secure area after we picked up our rifles. They then took us through the airport to recheck out bags for our flight home. Did I say it was well worth the $80 we spent?

Thanks! I hired Henry from Rifle Permits, as I'd heard that your first time there it was definitely money well spent.

 

[JimP]

We used a different company than the one that Henry runs. We used Hunters Support on the advise of our outfitter, I had already contacted them and was working with them before I joined the forum here. But their service was quite possibly just as good, I know that we had zero problems with either contacting them or working with them.

Also just as a FYI for you I also hired SSI from here on the forum to do my importing. They took care of everything. They contacted my outfitter, and the dip and pack company that I was using along with my taxidermist here in the states and the tannery that my taxidermist uses. They had hard plastic tags printed up with my info along with the taxidermist and tanneries info to attach to all the hides, capes, and horns. They had it set up where I didn't spend a dime of my own money in SA to get my trophies home. They paid the dip and pack company along with the air freight company. I only had to send them 2 money transfers to take care of the cost once my trophies were back here in the states. I would not hesitate on using them again. Yes, they do charge a fee for their services but the older I get the simpler I like to keep things.

Also on your rifle permits Lori at Travel Express also a member on the forums here has a SAPS520 form filled out on her web site. Following her directions makes filling it out a lot simpler. Also if you need to send the completed copy to Henry do it with FedX or UPS. Do not uses US mail. It will costs some but it will get there. But there has been times that Henry has accepted the forms off of Emails so that is something that you need to check out.

Here is the link to Lori's filled out sample SAPS520 form.

http://www.travelexpressagency.com/travelexpressagency/TE-uploads/SAPS_520_Completed_071210.pdf

 

[Divernhunter]

Just to be covered I would put a lock in each spot. Also put the info from your flights, home address, outfitter and travel agent inside the rifle case along with a couple of spare locks just incase you and the case travel to different hunts. I would do the same with your check in luggage but may not need the padlock. The check-in bags should have TSA locks.
Be sure to get the current 4457 form done for your rifles. I also filled them out for my computer, cameras, binos.

Gemsbuck and Wildebeest are other excellent choices. However I would suggest that let the PH help you out. If he really likes an animal(and you also) then take it even if not on your 1st list. Springbuck, Waterbuck are also good. Most important is to relax and have a good time. When you do that and roll with any punches that may come by the PH will work even harder to get you excellent animals.

Not sure what bullets you are using but Swift A-Frames(165grs for the 30-06 and 165 or 180 for the 300), Barnes TTSX(150gr for 30-06 and 150-165gr for the 300) or Nosler Partition(150-165gr for the 30-06 and 150-180gr for the 300) would be excellent choices. My PH told us to always try to break a shoulder(but aim lower than you may do for USA game) to make any tracking(if needed) easier. That worked well for us/me on 2 trips and approx. 30 animals. Only tracked 2 and one was a very poor shot on my part. The other was a good shot and a broken shoulder on a Blue Wildebeest. It ran about 80 yards with a broken shoulder and shredded heart. They are tough. We/myself used a 338win mag, 30-06, 257R and 257W on our/my hunts using Swift A-Frames and Barnes TTSX bullets. When you shoot do NOT stop to admire your shot! Get another in the chamber and shoot again if the animal is not down.

 

[Dr Ray]

Good points.

 

[Hank2211]

You can get confusing advice on this issue because people have gone through JNB with ammo in their luggage, while others say it has to be in its own locked container. Both of these statements are true.

As a result of the way in which airlines handle baggage, the rules of the first carrier tend to be the ones applied to the entire trip (it's a bit more technical than that, but that will do for this discussion). In North America, the airlines are fine with ammo in checked luggage, as long as it's separate from the firearms. So if you start your journey in North America, and put your ammo with your clothing, there's no problem, even if they put "ammunition" stickers all over your bag. This is the case if you are flying to South Africa, or transmitting South Africa with your final destination somewhere else (and not entering South Africa, even to overnight).

But if you are checking in for a flight in South Africa, either a connecting domestic flight or from South Africa to another country, the South Africa rules will apply and you will need a separate, locked bag for the ammo. Equally, if you are flying home from South Africa (or really anywhere in Africa) and bringing ammo back with you, it will need to comply with the African rules that ammo must be in a separate locked container (I am not aware of any African carrier that does not have this rule, but they may exist).

The result of all of this is that if you are flying to Jo'burg and no further, and not planning on taking any ammo home with you, you can forget about the locked container, and fly the normal way.

Having said that, most of us just put the ammo in a separate locked container for every flight, because you never know, and this method guarantees the most flexibility. If you comply with the strictest rules, you will never have a problem.

Note that if your destination is JNB and you choose to put ammo in your regular bags, your luggage will go the the firearms office though - they may want to check the ammo.

 

[Odinsraven]

I cover that route couple of times a year for the last few years ....

One locked box from Germany to Joberg ...on way out to PE ammo in the suitcase on way back separate it from the baggage ....i use a 30 cal ammocan with a padlock added ....

One thing if in PE get a taxi to Webbs gunstore

2 reasons

1. its old school African gunroom

2.Take your permit and passport with you they have pro am PMP the local ammo buy some boxes of it and try them out when you get home ...if they group you will never have to worry about ammo getting lost ........

The Blonde uses the PMP in her 7x64 and this year i am taking a 300 win which works fine with the PMP .....and ammo is cheap compared to Iceland .....Brass is also very durable