Traveling with rifle to RSA - do you need a "fixer"?

Sideshow said:

@MontanaPat thanks for the info I’ll definitely be using them when I head to Namibia. Question is the $150 for the VIP service?
Cheers

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$150 is about the going rate for gun import assistance.

The VIP meet and greet I haven't used, but I asked about it for an upcoming hunt later this year and they said it was $140 extra, but could include (I believe) 6 people for the $140. The meet and greet was that they meet you as soon as you step off the plane and get you through customs faster. Again, I haven't used it before. I am thinking about using it to test it out for a future hunt when my wife comes with me to see if it's worth it.

Is your PH meeting you on arrival in Johannesburg or are you flying elsewhere?

You don’t need to get a pre-approved permit (although I think much easier definitely faster) or VIP meet and greet off the plane. You can have permit issued in SAPS office on arrival. If your PH isn’t meeting you at airport, I think it would be a mistake not to contact a service and have them help you after you exit customs. It can make the process getting your permit much easier, but the biggest benefit is having someone there to help you at the airport if your bags don’t arrive or other issue when traveling with firearms. My last trip to Namibia my rifle went to SAPS office but my bag with ammo stayed in transit at the airport. That was fixed in morning to confirm bags were still on way to Namibia and airline knew ammo was in bag.

One advantage of certain VIP services is not having to deal with the conga lines of check-in, going through customs and immigration on entrance and exit and security. By chance, we hit Joburg airport during a holiday and the machinations of gun check in and security was a lot shorter than the DIYs.

ftothfadd said:

Dear members,

I am headed for my second trip to Africa next year, this time with my wife and another couple. I am planning to take a rifle with me, and I would like to avoid any issues. I know I could reach out to Afton lodge, or so and arrange some help with clearing the rifle. The problem is that I am cheap and I would rather spend that money on additional hunting or even tipping the trackers etc. Is it really that precarious to take care of the rifle importation upon arrival? If so, how much do these facilitating services cost? Any experience good or bad would be very welcome.
Thank you in advance, Ferenc

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How much is your time worth? Especially after a long flight. www.riflepermits.com charges $160 for preclearance. So it is 3 minutes with nice rifles permits.com staff helping you versus 3 hours in my experience to do the paperwork if you are lucky.
To save $160 Really?

When I went last year for my first trip to Africa, I paid for the VIP service through Gracy. I think it was $300. Bruce met me when I got off the plane at JNB and walked me through customs and the SAP office with no waiting. He then escorted me to the lobby at City Lodge, where they already had my registration ready and then right up to my room.
Bruce met me in the morning in the lobby and took me through the Airlink check in process, again, without waiting in line. When I returned, my outfitter saw to it that I was all checked in at Port Elizabeth airport. Once back at JNB, Bruce was there to again to make sure I was all set for my flight back to the states. After that kind of stress free experience, there is no way i would do it any other way.

I will reiterate: Best money you will spend on your safari! What will you do if your rifle isn't waiting at SAPS or your bag doesn't come down the baggage carousel? With a quality "fixer" you will have someone who knows the airport and all it's nooks and crannies and can usually locate where you item got stashed. On your own, you are running blind. I agree, for anyone with the ability to travel internationally, it's easy enough to clear your own firearms. But when things go sideways, where do you start? Good luck. What is easily accomplished by cell phone and common sense in the USA may be laughed at in RSA!!!
That is why I use a "fixer" and a travel agent experienced in international travel with firearms. Not for the times it all goes well. For the times things go to hell. And trust me, make enough trips and something will go to Hell.
Jody

I have been twice.
First we stayed at Africa Sky and used their permit service and VIP pick up.
Mr.X met us an took us straight in past the line of people.
Well worth the money.

The second trip we stayed at Africa Sky and used services. Gilbert met us took us to SASPS area. We saw our rifles being transported in the holding area.
They brought all the rifles except one out. Gilbert had disappeared, turns out he had to meet another group. So I helped my buddy get his “lost”. Rifle case sorted out.
While this was going on I told the rest of our group to stay put till we returned.
They had misplaced the rifle in back. It took some courteous prompting to get them to go look for a third time.
We got to Africa Sky. I pointed out the we did not receive all of the VIP service.
Africa Sky refunded everybody’s VIP service charge.

Can you do it yourself? Yes.
Applying for the permits can be the tricky part.

Is it worth having somebody else in country do the application? YES!
Is the meet and greet worth it? YES!

With either Aftons or Africa Sky you will be taken care of.

My experience with Rifle Permits was that the communication was difficult. So we went with Aftons. This was in 2022 so everything was still a bit a mess following Covid. I do know people who have used Rifle Permits and are very pleased.

It’s easy enough to do. However, the “fixers” go first no matter who gets there first. Last time I went through JNB I did it myself. I was the first person in the office and the last out. The fixers permits were already printed and they were out the door, mine the computer was down and they had to manually hand print mine. Fortunately, I had lots of time. If you are a tight connection, pay for the service. If you have not purchased airfare, Gracy has an all inclusive package. Ask for Nicole.

2026 Afton Lodge Services $

This is very helpful. Thank you everyone for the insightful comments. Now, I already feel a little better prepared for the second trip back to Africa. I will also go with some friends who are not experienced international travelers so I may have to resort to taking advantage of some of these convenience items.

On one trip, I was a doctor, another I was a diplomat. Didn't have the uniform so couldn't pass as a pilot. A third, going through immigration, with all the gray hair, I was a miracle flight passenger.

My experience, for what it's worth. When the RSA police open the case and start asking questions... having the "fixer" say they are mine... is worth gold. And I went with only a revolver. Pay the man. They, day to day, know more than you.

Henry

Most outfitters have this system down and know how to instruct you on steps. There are other ways to save money. I wouldn’t take chances on this.

I have done it both ways. But I only use Henry Rifle Permits now. Very efficent and the fastest way to get thru the Airport or out. Had one screw up on a permit. My mistake or theirs? Henry's rep had it fixed in minutes.

I’ve cleared my own many times without incident. I helped these other clients this year and all was good till the guy checked the gun and the magazine was loaded-$40 bucks and all good( Port Elizabeth )The key is if you can land in Jo’berg after 9 am SAPS is empty. Namibia is easiest by far! Never a line.

GO V.I.P.!! HOW COOL WILL IT BE TO THE KIDS TO HAVE AN ESCORT WAITING FOR THEM AT DISEMBARK.

On my first trip we hit Joberg in the late morning. As we stepped off of the Jetway into the concourse there were two gentlemen waiting for me and my hunting partner with placards with our names on them, we had both chosen the meet and greet with Air 2000. We headed down to passport control where the main lines were back way up and with the VIP line vacant. We went straight to the VIP line and was done in a matter of a minute or two, way before 5 or 10 of the other passengers even made it to the desk.

Then off to pick up our rifles and head to the SAP's office. This was in 2015 before the rifles were taken to the SAP's office. Once at the office there were a number of hunters trying to get their permits straightened out. Our two escorts took up right up to the desk and the first available officer took care of us. Another 5 minutes and we were out of there on our way to our next flight. All together between passport control and the SAP's office we had spend around 15 minutes.

On our way home those two same smiling faces were just outside of baggage claim waiting to take up upstairs to check in for our flight home. They left us at the start of security with a firm handshake and smiling faces.

So is it worth it after a 15 or more hour flight when you haven't slept in two days and don't want to put up with any problems? The answer is a resounding yes.

My last trip we used Henry, we also got into Joberg in the middle of the night with most of the rest of the passengers on the fight with Qatar already gone. But still passport control was a breeze, as was the SAP's office with Henry and his wife taking care of everything. They then took the group up to the Airlink counter where after a slight argument with the agents we were check in, paid our fee's and were off again for the next flight.

For what it is worth just the time savings is worth the extra cost along with having someone on your side that speaks their language and knows what is going to happen along with getting you through all of it.

If you don’t at all value your time and more specifically how long to loiter in the SAPS office at JoBerg, then I would not be worried about it.

Where it is really valuable when they can’t find your rifles. Which I’ve had happen twice. Gilbert is worth his weight in gold for these issues.

Sideshow said:

@MontanaPat thanks for the info I’ll definitely be using them when I head to Namibia. Question is the $150 for the VIP service?
Cheers

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@Sideshow , the rifle permit ranges from $100-150 if you want the VIP service it adds about $100 more small of it around $250 total. @JimmyJack54 posted the price sheet from Afton which shows the charge breakdowns, all of the services should be priced similar