Travel question

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gbalog

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Three of us were transiting thru Addis Ababa on our way to a buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe. Our trip was set thru a agent with the rifles checked thru from Philadelphia International to Harare, with a connecting flight in Addis Ababa. We understood that we would not see our rifles until arriving at the final destination. While waiting for our connecting flight, we were called to the basement cargo area. We were told to open our rifle cases for inspection (including our checked ammo). After checking the rifles, ammo, serial numbers, etc., we were told to repack everything and get to our connecting flight. They also kept our copy of the firearms travel forms. Upon arriving at Harare, we told the customs folks what had happened, and they seemed amazed that we were put thru the hassle at Abbis. They said it was none of Addis Ababa's business, and that no way should they have kept our firearms papers. Fortunately, we all had copies of the forms. Has anyone else experienced this bureaucratic nightmare and what, if anything did you do about it? We just made our connecting flight, and had a great buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe.
 
gbalog said:
Three of us were transiting thru Addis Ababa on our way to a buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe. Our trip was set thru a agent with the rifles checked thru from Philadelphia International to Harare, with a connecting flight in Addis Ababa. We understood that we would not see our rifles until arriving at the final destination. While waiting for our connecting flight, we were called to the basement cargo area. We were told to open our rifle cases for inspection (including our checked ammo). After checking the rifles, ammo, serial numbers, etc., we were told to repack everything and get to our connecting flight. They also kept our copy of the firearms travel forms. Upon arriving at Harare, we told the customs folks what had happened, and they seemed amazed that we were put thru the hassle at Abbis. They said it was none of Addis Ababa's business, and that no way should they have kept our firearms papers. Fortunately, we all had copies of the forms. Has anyone else experienced this bureaucratic nightmare and what, if anything did you do about it? We just made our connecting flight, and had a great buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe.
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I've had my gun case and ammo boxes opened in Joburg. They checked to see that the ammo matched the rifle and the rifle serial numbers matched the paperwork. On my first trip there was a discrepancy in the paperwork. Someone had transposed one digit in the serial number. They were going to confiscate my gun but I had other copies of the papers and showed them the correct one. ALWAYS CARRY COPIES OF ALL PAPERWORK.
 
Roger, that on the copies of all paperwork. Fortunately, we had copies. Were you transiting thru Joburg, or was that your final destination?
 
Yes, it happens every time. If you peruse Ethiopia’s website you should locate what to do about firearms in transit with them.
First is ring the local office to inform them. Thereafter you need photocopies of various documentation,3 copies of. Each way so that’s 6 copies. One is your passport. Offhand I forget what else but it’s on the website.
 
gbalog said:
Three of us were transiting thru Addis Ababa on our way to a buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe. Our trip was set thru a agent with the rifles checked thru from Philadelphia International to Harare, with a connecting flight in Addis Ababa. We understood that we would not see our rifles until arriving at the final destination. While waiting for our connecting flight, we were called to the basement cargo area. We were told to open our rifle cases for inspection (including our checked ammo). After checking the rifles, ammo, serial numbers, etc., we were told to repack everything and get to our connecting flight. They also kept our copy of the firearms travel forms. Upon arriving at Harare, we told the customs folks what had happened, and they seemed amazed that we were put thru the hassle at Abbis. They said it was none of Addis Ababa's business, and that no way should they have kept our firearms papers. Fortunately, we all had copies of the forms. Has anyone else experienced this bureaucratic nightmare and what, if anything did you do about it? We just made our connecting flight, and had a great buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe.
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This is regular procedure in Addis Ababa which I did not take as a harassments.

I knew this in advance, because we were informed about this by our hunting agent. He told us to prepare copies of all documents, for this occasion.

Airport official, met us at the gate when we came out of aircraft, he was very polite, and took as to cargo bay area.
We opened the gun cases, he checked serial numbers, we gave him a photo copy of all gun travel documents.
I had plenty of photocopies on hand, one in gun case, another few in my pocket.
In cargo bay area they dont have copy machine. (at least I did not see one)
If he took original set of documents, he would need to go upstairs, make photocopy and come back again. Thats why he kept copies you had with him.

Same procedure in Addisa Ababa on the way back, when catching connecting flight to Europe.
 
gbalog said:
Three of us were transiting thru Addis Ababa on our way to a buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe. Our trip was set thru a agent with the rifles checked thru from Philadelphia International to Harare, with a connecting flight in Addis Ababa. We understood that we would not see our rifles until arriving at the final destination. While waiting for our connecting flight, we were called to the basement cargo area. We were told to open our rifle cases for inspection (including our checked ammo). After checking the rifles, ammo, serial numbers, etc., we were told to repack everything and get to our connecting flight. They also kept our copy of the firearms travel forms. Upon arriving at Harare, we told the customs folks what had happened, and they seemed amazed that we were put thru the hassle at Abbis. They said it was none of Addis Ababa's business, and that no way should they have kept our firearms papers. Fortunately, we all had copies of the forms. Has anyone else experienced this bureaucratic nightmare and what, if anything did you do about it? We just made our connecting flight, and had a great buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe.
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What agent arranged this? I know Gracy Travel is thoroughly up to date with respect to travel through Addis. What you described is the usual procedure.
 
Thanks for the responses. Guess what we went thru is SOP. (Not that it makes logical sense....but it's their country)
 
I checked in in Vienna, for that trip.
We went to separate counter, we opened the cases, and airport police checked the rifles, serial numbers, we signed the form (if I remember correctly), and we gave them a copy of European firearm passport.
Basically, similar procedure.
 
Use Gracy for travel overseas with firearms. I’ve been through Addis twice. You are lucky that your layover was long enough or you would have missed your next flight.
 
This is standard procedure for everyone transiting Addis Ababa with guns. Expect it, have all your paperwork in order, along with a healthy dose of patience.

As Scott CWO advised, using a travel agent familiar with all the various rules for different airlines, airports and countries is always a wise move. I always use Shawn Kennedy of Gracy Travel. She and her team have saved my butt more than once when flight plans had to change at last minute due to circumstances beyond my control. This happened again just a few days ago when I and two other hunters had to re-schedule our flights from Cameroon back to USA due to CamAir delaying our flight from Garoua to Doula such that we all had to fly a day later than originally booked. Gracy Travel had all 3 of us re-booked within an hour of our calls for assistance.
 
gbalog said:
Roger, that on the copies of all paperwork. Fortunately, we had copies. Were you transiting thru Joburg, or was that your final destination?
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On my way to Port Elizabeth. Same coming back. They checked guns and ammo and brass.
 
As far as what to do about it, you show the requested papers, say yes sir and thank you sir, and remember who’s in charge. “I understand. Just let me know what I need to do” is pretty much my answer for everything. At no point does arguing with any official or proving them wrong work out in your favor.

And the more official forms you can produce, the better.
 
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