Traveling to Namibia With Reloads

quandary

quandary

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Was just at DSC and meet with our PH for an upcoming Namibia PG Safari. In the package of information that they provide they emphasize bringing ammunition in the manufacture's box. At DSC I mentioned to the PH that we reload. He said buy as cheap of ammunition in the same caliber and put the reloads in the manufacturer's box otherwise the authorities may not allow the ammo in. Is this really a thing?

I also thought of another question I will have ask our PH via email. For my 35 Whelen loads I neck up 30-06 Peterson brass as it is substantial better than the Norma 35 Whelen brass I have. Could that be a problem to have brass that is head stamped 30-06 in a 35 Whelen box? Or do I just use the Norma brass for the trip?

Finally if this is a thing does anybody have 2 or 3 empty manufacturer boxes of 35 Whelen and 300 H&H ammunition I could borrow or have? i will happily pay for shipping.

Thanks
 
First, I would enlist a travel agent that specializes in firearms and Africa. Like @TRAVEL EXPRESS. They know the ins and outs. PH’s are helpful but they are certainly not travel agents.

On two trips to Namibia my ammo was not checked on arrival. Just that the rifle SN# matches the Nam paperwork.

You should be more worried if you have to transit through a country that will also check your firearms and ammo, like SA. If so, just use a VIP rifle service and that basically takes the risk down to zero. When you use those services they hardly even check your gear.

I think you will be fine but DEFINITELY use a travel service to help with firearms and questions, concerns, paperwork, etc
 
quandary said:
I am working with Travel Express. I will also not be going through SA. I will also ask them about this.
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Good deal!

You are going to have a blast! Namibia will be so fun. Who are you hunting with?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s easy to worry over the unlimited details of a safari. It usually works out in your favor. You are doing all the right things.

Cheers
 
I brought reloads to Namibia. I put them in factory boxes, and had no issue. That said, I was compelled to tip the luggage guy in Joburg ahead of transfer to Windhoek, and felt that I might not see my rifle, etc, without a tip. In Windhoek, on the way back, no problem, but I was made to put ammo in separate container, not in luggage. The Windhoek airline personnel were not grifters, but not pleasant people, but maybe that has changed.
 
dchum said:
Good deal!

You are going to have a blast! Namibia will be so fun. Who are you hunting with?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s easy to worry over the unlimited details of a safari. It usually works out in your favor. You are doing all the right things.

Cheers
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We are hunting with Kowas.

Perhaps I am over thinking but having my ammunition confiscated is a bite worrisome to me!
 
Nothing wrong with being a little paranoid, IMO. :)

I would absolutely have at least one box where the headstamps matched the caliber. Take 20 + 40 and expect to bring about 40 back home.

I used both factory boxes and non-factory plastic. I printed nice neat labels for all showing Only:
Caliber
Bullet weight and brand
Velocity (rounded off to nearest 50 fps)

And a sharpie checkmark indicating I inspected every round.
The color of the checkmark actually indicates the number of times loaded (or reloaded).

No reloading data. And well polished (new looking) brass.

Why give some TSA, airline or other agent an excuse to ask a question.
 
quandary said:
Was just at DSC and meet with our PH for an upcoming Namibia PG Safari. In the package of information that they provide they emphasize bringing ammunition in the manufacture's box. At DSC I mentioned to the PH that we reload. He said buy as cheap of ammunition in the same caliber and put the reloads in the manufacturer's box otherwise the authorities may not allow the ammo in. Is this really a thing?

I also thought of another question I will have ask our PH via email. For my 35 Whelen loads I neck up 30-06 Peterson brass as it is substantial better than the Norma 35 Whelen brass I have. Could that be a problem to have brass that is head stamped 30-06 in a 35 Whelen box? Or do I just use the Norma brass for the trip?

Finally if this is a thing does anybody have 2 or 3 empty manufacturer boxes of 35 Whelen and 300 H&H ammunition I could borrow or have? i will happily pay for shipping.

Thanks
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You are simply asking for trouble in Africa if you do not take your ammo in regular factory boxes that match your rifle caliber. Sorry but this is just how it is. Great idea to ask our fellow AH'ers for the boxes you need! Have a great safari to Namibia one of my favorite places.
 
quandary said:
We are hunting with Kowas.

Perhaps I am over thinking but having my ammunition confiscated is a bite worrisome to me!
Click to expand...
I went to Namibia last July. Ammo was in MTM plastic cases and then inside a locked Pelican. Nobody looked at the ammo. Everyone looked at the serial numbers on the rifles and the paperwork.

The only problem I had was with Lufthansa and FRA airport. My bag with the ammo, was delayed 10 days. On the return trip, my rifles were left in FRA and delayed a day getting to Houston. Long drive back to the airport the following day to pick up my rifles.
 
BRICKBURN said:
@375er

This question gets asked repeatedly
I'll take you on a trip down memory lane here on AH with some links. 2009 onward....
By no means a complete listing.


https://www.africahunting.com/threads/do-i-need-to-carry-ammunition-in-original-boxes.5206/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/packaging-reloads-for-intl-travel.1553/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/can-i-take-reloaded-ammo-to-south-africa.12931/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...ackage-or-in-an-mtm-box-in-locked-case.47992/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/importing-handloaded-ammunition.13901/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/traveling-with-ammunition-via-air-travel.7262/


https://www.africahunting.com/threads/ammunition-box-in-luggage.61580/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/ammo-box.47807/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/ammo-boxes.40139/





View attachment 414296


This is the image for the return flight.
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BRICKBURN said:
THIS QUESTION GETS ASKED REPEATEDLY.
Have a look at the list of threads on the topic. 9 or more in this link.
Have fun re-reading.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/traveling-with-reloads.64244/#post-804797
Click to expand...

Thank you for posting. I did search and could find nothing current or addressing the very specific question about the current rules as interpreted and executed by the officials in Namibia clearing firearms and ammunition. After traveling often with firearms and ammunition I believe I have a very good grasp of how to do it. This question concerns only the very specific item of, do I need to spend $200 to $250 on ammunition I will never use just to get the empty boxes for clearance into Namibia.
 
That had to be a big hassle. Which gun shop in Windhoek did you go to for replacement ammunition?
 
I just borrowed a rifle and ammo from the outfitter until my bag and ammunition arrived. I was leopard hunting and didn’t need the rifle until day 18. My bigger concern was getting my 404J ammunition in time for the buffalo hunt after the leopard hunt. The backup plan was to visit a gun shop In Windhoek.
 
quandary said:
That had to be a big hassle. Which gun shop in Windhoek did you go to for replacement ammunition?
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There are a few. Nice and modern the two I’ve been to.

But 35 wheelen and 300h&h ammo being in stock is not likely. Why the 30-06 is kind for PG haha. Wouldn’t even need to go to town because your outfitter most likely has some 30-06 at camp.

Don’t stress, it will all work out!

What are your loads for those two rifles! ? You got two super cool calibers that are perfect for Africa!
 
I went through SA to Windhoek to Katima this year and I would definitely recommend using factory boxes. In Katima and in Windhoek on the way back my ammo was counted for both of my guns. I had factory boxes just to be sure. They didn’t say anything about my boxes but there’s no reason to cause a problem that you know may be a problem.

Africa has enough logistic problems. Skip this one with some factory boxes
 
lil 2 sleepy said:
I went through SA to Windhoek to Katima this year and I would definitely recommend using factory boxes. In Katima and in Windhoek on the way back my ammo was counted for both of my guns. I had factory boxes just to be sure. They didn’t say anything about my boxes but there’s no reason to cause a problem that you know may be a problem.

Africa has enough logistic problems. Skip this one with some factory boxes
Click to expand...
Your ammo was counted in Namibia?!!

That’s crazy and almost unheard of
 
Interesting and topical thread for me. I’m planning on taking handloads for my 416 RM to Mozambique. Will read through the threads shared.
 
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