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

I used Riflepermits and it was worth every penny I spent. They answered all my questions in advance, guided me through the process, and then Marius and Anna met me in Johannesburg. They walked me to City Lodge and met me again there the next morning. They helped get my rifles and ammo on board my flight to Port Elizabeth.

I have the paperwork here for my hunt in May and it will be submitted as soon as I get my CBP Form 4457 signed and completed. I'll use Riflepermits again.
 
Well, I think I am convinced I would benefit from a fixer at least for the rifle if not for the whole VIP package. If I travelled by myself, I would not hesitate trying it on my own, but going with friends and my wife I will not risk it. Particularly considering they are not hunters and perhaps would not take kindly to some wasted time because of "my" rifle issues ;-)
Thank you for all your time.
 
MontanaPat said:
@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
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I just paid Elize at Afton House 3 days ago 299.00 for the meet, greet, assist a room and the steak dinner for my Sept trip, Mr. X will handle everything.
 
I wish there was a service like rifle permits.com for flying into Windhoek directly instead of connecting out of Jbg.
 
Rifle Permits. I’ve done it myself a couple of times but no longer. Your man will take you to the SAP office and practically do everything himself, while the SAP guys and gals just set over there and chat. I guess at some point when he’s finished they sign something,but I’m not even sure of that.
 
First trip I went with a group of 4, no one brought guns, 3 flights landed at same time, we were in cattle line for approx 6 hours in miserable September heat, watched a fist fight occur in line. Completely miserable. Next few trips had henry at rifle permits handle things, done in less than 20 minutes total from arrival to meet ph. Money well spent
 
I’d say it’s more than just what your time is worth as much as taking into account and considerate to your misses and other couple’s time, especially if you are only one with a rifle requiring the SAPS process. Even without a hiccup, having everything all preapproved and familiar faces handling the process will make it faster and smoother. No brainer in my mind, and I can be cheap on air travel and like doing my own bookings and such. I don’t mess with the rifle permit at Jo-Burg. I honestly just avoid the whole place when possible.
 
You may check with your outfitter. Some will do the service as part of your hunting package.

I guess I equate not using a service to save $150 with spending the money for flights and safari then buying the cheapest ammo you can find.
 
Use an import service; the money you save is not worth the potential hassle.
 
Having in-country support is worth every penny. I have had dependable professional services from Air 2000 Hunters’ Support.
 
TOBY458 said:
I’ll take this even further. I wish there was a service like this in Zimbabwe. Harare and Bulawayo need this badly. Dealing with those folks is one of the most stressful parts of the trip by far.
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I found Harare a cake walk and rather deal there than JNB. I’m all grumpy having to sleep over in JNB to avoid Doha in a few weeks. I still have to do Harare, but the permit is super easy single page.

My outfitter has a person that meets me at the plane and walks me through. Same on the return. Now the firearm folk when I went came in last October seemed like a lot, but that was their customs, then gun permit, then walk out and right back through different gun folks for checking in since I had to loop around for a charter flight. Wasn’t bad at all though, just that it seemed like every time you closed up ammo, someone else wanted to look at them and count.

For Zimbabwe the one thing I did hear was to make sure you do your visa online ahead of time and pay the $18-$20 fee. That will give you a pre-approval QR code a breeze through. Folks had a hassle with the visa as they have to use a tablet at the airport and apparently they are dead or battery dying 1/2 the time and card readers for the payment doesn’t always work.

I was told to fill out my 1-page gun permit and make 4 copies. Bring those and my QR preapproval with CBP 4457 and invite letter. Simple past that, and proved true.
 
Wildwillalaska said:
I found Harare a cake walk and rather deal there than JNB. I’m all grumpy having to sleep over in JNB to avoid Doha in a few weeks. I still have to do Harare, but the permit is super easy single page.

My outfitter has a person that meets me at the plane and walks me through. Same on the return. Now the firearm folk when I went came in last October seemed like a lot, but that was their customs, then gun permit, then walk out and right back through different gun folks for checking in since I had to loop around for a charter flight. Wasn’t bad at all though, just that it seemed like every time you closed up ammo, someone else wanted to look at them and count.

For Zimbabwe the one thing I did hear was to make sure you do your visa online ahead of time and pay the $18-$20 fee. That will give you a pre-approval QR code a breeze through. Folks had a hassle with the visa as they have to use a tablet at the airport and apparently they are dead or battery dying 1/2 the time and card readers for the payment doesn’t always work.

I was told to fill out my 1-page gun permit and make 4 copies. Bring those and my QR preapproval with CBP 4457 and invite letter. Simple past that, and proved true.
Click to expand...
Yes. I’ve been to Zim three times. The paperwork is definitely simple enough. I just hate having to deal with the incompetence of the employees there. Would be nice to have a go between.
 
Flipper Dude said:
Rifle Permits. I’ve done it myself a couple of times but no longer. Your man will take you to the SAP office and practically do everything himself, while the SAP guys and gals just set over there and chat. I guess at some point when he’s finished they sign something,but I’m not even sure of that.
Click to expand...
my 3 trips using Rifle Permits, Afton House and African Sky I have never seen the SAPS guys sitting around they have been looking in cases and checking serial numbers my interaction with them has been very professional.
 
Didn’t mean to say they were unprofessional. I just observed that my man inspects the rifle after I open the case, records / compares pertinent info to the preapproved permit, enters my info into the log book and has me sign it. Hands me a permit that someone has signed and stamped and wheels us out of there. My interaction with the SAP guys is to say hello when I walk in.
 
Betterinthebush said:
I wish there was a service like rifle permits.com for flying into Windhoek directly instead of connecting out of Jbg.
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HENRY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU IN CPT AS WELL.
 
My opinion is jaded....
You should be fine with the "system" working but you are probably better with a fixer.
It also opens up the secondary market that we all dont want.
 
The service is cheap and well worth it! I use Rifle Permits, but they all provide the same service. On the front end, They take your SAP500 form and grease the skids, so to speak with the authorities to ensure everything is ok. On the back end, they ensure your rifles are at the airport and security personnel don't expend ANY energy or effort in locating and retrieving your firearms. The
 
ftothfadd said:
Dear members,
Is it really that precarious to take care of the rifle importation upon arrival?
Click to expand...
NO. But fill out the form in BLACK INK before you arrive and sign it with the SAPS.
Here is a nice simple example to follow.
https://www.travelexpressagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SAPS-520-Completed-071210.pdf
ftothfadd said:
Any experience good or bad would be very welcome.
Click to expand...

It's simple. Always done it myself.
Have fun tipping the tracker with the $150.00
 
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