Suppressors prohibited for temporary import into South Africa?

No you can’t bring them back if bought there.
 
Following
 
TEXLNGHRN said:
Following.

On my RSA trip in 2024, no issues with my suppressor, listed it on the 4457 and had copies of Tax Stamp and Gun Trust paperwork.

Heading to BOT and RSA in May, planning on taking a suppressor, haven't heard of any changes on traveling with a suppressor.
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Are suppressors allowed on Botswana?
 
widetrackjack said:
If you have them on a form 4457 you should be able to. I brought mine back from SA in Nov, 2025. No problem.
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I’m guessing you misread that. You would have to buy it in the states to have it on a 4457 legally.

Or are you saying you bought yours in SA and brought it back? I’m pretty certain that isn’t legal.
 
What does ITAR say about temporary importation and if so, how and why are people misinterpreting it?
 
You need to contact someone else because that info is wrong.

I just did a few 4457’s for this year’s trips and the Custom Officers asked if I needed any suppressors done when I walked up, and were surprised I wasn’t taking any. That’s until they checked my firearms, then the questions about the rifles ensued because they were all vintage stuff and calibers they were unfamiliar with.
 
sniper7 said:
I’m guessing you misread that. You would have to buy it in the states to have it on a 4457 legally.

Or are you saying you bought yours in SA and brought it back? I’m pretty certain that isn’t legal.
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I brought it from the states. It’s an NFA item so you cannot legally acquire one anywhere without the tax stamp, background check, etc….
 
Not sure about Botswana but sound suppressors are illegal in Zimbabwe. It is a hangover from the civil war in the 70s rather than a hunting restriction but the law is still in effect. The notion that supersonic bullets are somehow silenced by a muzzle device is crazy and the damage to hearing is real. But what African government works on logic and care for its citizens well being!
 
widetrackjack said:
Are suppressors allowed on Botswana?
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In retrospect, that's a good question. I'd say that suppressors are allowed in Botswana for hunting, as there are Botswana hunt reports posted on this site that contain pictures of suppressed rifles in the field.

What I don't know about is bringing suppressors in; posted pics here could be of camp rifles. We haven't begun the rifle and ammo paperwork with the outfitter (Bokamoso - Werner Lombard) yet, so suppressors have not come up. If it's an issue, I'll return here to report.
 
KMG Hunting Safaris said:
What does ITAR say about temporary importation and if so, how and why are people misinterpreting it?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, without getting a temporary export permit you are in violation of ITAR. You would need to register for access on DECCS and file a a form DSP-73 for temporary export.

Would the government go after anyone who just lists it on their 4457 and goes hunting in Africa? I don't know, but I wouldn't want to be the guy who lists it on my 4457 without an export permit, comes home and gets charged. Up to about a million dollar fine and 20 years in prison. Federal, not state time, so you have to serve about 80% of any sentence.
 
This was posted on a reddit hunting thread. A person claims they went to get their suppressor put on a 4457 and the CBP agent told them no and handed them this letter. This was posted 2 years ago I believe. And I have seen people talking about traveling with them since then. The memo doesn't look very official either. However, just sharing what I've seen posted by others.

suppressor-no-longer-allowed-on-form-4457-with-us-customs-v0-xleq5fylp8cd1.jpeg.webp
 
TEXLNGHRN said:
In retrospect, that's a good question. I'd say that suppressors are allowed in Botswana for hunting, as there are Botswana hunt reports posted on this site that contain pictures of suppressed rifles in the field.

What I don't know about is bringing suppressors in; posted pics here could be of camp rifles. We haven't begun the rifle and ammo paperwork with the outfitter (Bokamoso - Werner Lombard) yet, so suppressors have not come up. If it's an issue, I'll return here to report.
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Perfect! Thanks Tex! I’m going after Jumbo in Botswana in ‘27. I’d like to take my suppressed 460 wby with me. I had someone tell me that on private land it’s legal and on gov land it is not. Just trying to get to the bottom of it before my trip.
 
I posted this on April 15, 2025 in another thread …

MRI (Most Recent Information) on 5320.20 -

I filled out 5320.20 by hand, in pen, making sure to be careful and specific with my information. I left box 10 blank but used the term “personal use” for box 6, “personal conveyance” for box 9 and my airport (IAD) for both box 11 and 12.

I scanned it and emailed to atf at the directed email address. They snail-mailed back a printed page with a check mark showing Approved and an Official stamp - took about 2 weeks.

I now feel that I have Federal ATF permission to temporarily export the suppressor with me to SA as long as I bring it back with me. I will take all my paperwork including tax stamp, 4457 and Trust doc just in case.

YMMV but wanted to share my experience with the group.
 
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