Ammo in guncase

[Tucketed]

I know within Africa and travel from, you need to have ammo in a locked box which I have previously done. But I believe I can place ammo in proper boxes and travel from Atlanta to Johannesburg with ammo in my guncase at least on Delta same as I do domestically. I was thinking that I could then carry my empty pelican ammo case in my carry on for use on return or inner africa travel. I don’t particularly like checked bags, I go light and this would ensure my ammo arrrives with my gun and I then only have my gun case and one carry on. Anyone do this?

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I know within Africa and travel from, you need to have ammo in a locked box which I have previously done. But I believe I can place ammo in proper boxes and travel from Atlanta to Johannesburg with ammo in my guncase at least on Delta same as I do domestically. I was thinking that I could then carry my empty pelican ammo case in my carry on for use on return or inner africa travel. I don’t particularly like checked bags, I go light and this would ensure my ammo arrrives with my gun and I then only have my gun case and one carry on. Anyone do this?

Pretty sure that for international to Joburg you will need the ammo in a separate locked container which can then be placed in your checked luggage or checked as a separate bag but not inside the gun case. For domestic flights the rules are different and ammo can be in the gun case.

 

[BeeMaa]

Ammo must be in a locked case separate from the firearm, typically placed in your checked luggage.

Your rifle will be checked at the airport by CBP (if not done previously) for the 4457 and the case will be x-rayed and opened by TSA to make sure there is no ammo in it.

Your carry-on will be x-rayed when you go through security and any ammo found will result in problems. Problems that can result in you not making your flight.

I would not recommend placing ammo in your rifle case or carry-on bag, regardless of the amount.

 

[375Fox]

Ammo must be in a locked case separate from the firearm, typically placed in your checked luggage.

Your rifle will be checked at the airport by CBP (if not done previously) for the 4457 and the case will be x-rayed and opened by TSA to make sure there is no ammo in it.

Your carry-on will be x-rayed when you go through security and any ammo found will result in problems. Problems that can result in you not making your flight.

I would not recommend placing ammo in your rifle case or carry-on bag, regardless of the amount.

Your rifle gets checked by CBP on way back but not on way there. The OP asks an interesting question if he’s flying direct to Johannesburg. Domestic flights you can put ammo in gun case per TSA. I’m not sure if he’d run into problem or not. It’s going to SAPS office regardless on arrival. If airline won’t check it he’ll just separate ammo at check in with the case he has in carry on. Delta lists rules coming from Johannesburg but not going to Johannesburg on their website.

 

[Tucketed]

@375Fox yes you have it. I have done this flight before just wondering if anyone has tried this. Only flying to, I know the rules of return etc

 

[BeeMaa]

@375Fox - I know CBP will check your rifle on the way back into the country, but they need to verify that information against a 4457 that was previously authorized by them. Some hunters wait until the day of departure before having this done.

 

[Garciamarquez1918]

I'm no expert but it's important to remember in these matters it doesn't really matter what the rules and regulations are. What matters is what the person at check in/customs/security thinks they are.

You're trying to minimize risk and to my mind putting this in the hands of whatever random people you get at these stages of the trip is increasing uncertainty and therefore increasing risk.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’d caution you against doing that, and just put it in a separate locked case in your other checked bag. I just flew DFW-RAP while Turkey Hunting and both the gate agent and TSA agent (made me open my Pelican to inspect) said something about having my ammo in my gun case. I had to point out to both of them that it was allowed on domestic flights but would put it in my other checked bag (locked duffle) if it made them more comfortable, but it wouldn’t be as secure.

FWIW I also witnessed the gate agent decline to check another passengers handgun in a cheap triangular Plano case because she could “pry” it open. That customer put up a bit of a stink saying he’d flown here and all over with the same case, they requested a supervisor and TSA agent involved and both backed the gate agent. She could’ve been anti-gun or having a bad day, I personally wouldn’t want to risk it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

The traveler and the airline are subject to the laws of the destination country. Which we already know is .......
South Africa, require ammunition to be locked in a completely separate case from the firearm.

If you are truly bored and need to get it from the horses mouth.

 

[Labman]

A few years ago, I did exactly what the OP is questioning. I didn't have any problems on the way to Africa but obviously couldn't do that on the return flight. I carried copies of both the TSA and the airline rules stating ammo could be in the gun case. I didn't have any problems upon arrival at Joberg. However, I doubt if I'd do this again after seeing how the SA police make up their own rules about expiration dates on 4457's and other things.

 

[HuntingHard]

If your planning and bringing back spent brass or recovered bullet, they will need to be in separate locked container in checked baggage. If your using AirLink for a RSA domestic flight the locked ammo container is checked separately from luggage, same as firearm. At least those were the rules I experienced in 2025

 

[Tbitty]

The traveler and the airline are subject to the laws of the destination country. Which we already know is .......
South Africa, require ammunition to be locked in a completely separate case from the firearm.

This.

I went with a friend to hunt bear in Canada a few years ago. The Canadian rules are that ammo must be separate from firearm (not in the gun case). He read the TSA / Airline Company rules and said it needed to go in the case with firearm, so that's what he did.
At customs check in Canada, he was informed it should not be in the case. Fortunately, the agent was nice about it and simply told him to remove the ammo and put it in his other luggage before allowing us to leave (we were at the end destination, just leaving airport to get rental car). He even told us we were lucky we didn't get a specific other agent that was on duty- they were known to make things miserable for it being wrong.

 

[HuntingHard]

I know within Africa and travel from, you need to have ammo in a locked box which I have previously done. But I believe I can place ammo in proper boxes and travel from Atlanta to Johannesburg with ammo in my guncase at least on Delta same as I do domestically. I was thinking that I could then carry my empty pelican ammo case in my carry on for use on return or inner africa travel. I don’t particularly like checked bags, I go light and this would ensure my ammo arrrives with my gun and I then only have my gun case and one carry on. Anyone do this?

 

[BRICKBURN]

This.

I went with a friend to hunt bear in Canada a few years ago. The Canadian rules are that ammo must be separate from firearm (not in the gun case). He read the TSA / Airline Company rules and said it needed to go in the case with firearm, so that's what he did.
At customs check in Canada, he was informed it should not be in the case. Fortunately, the agent was nice about it and simply told him to remove the ammo and put it in his other luggage before allowing us to leave (we were at the end destination, just leaving airport to get rental car). He even told us we were lucky we didn't get a specific other agent that was on duty- they were known to make things miserable for it being wrong.

Glad he got through safe and sound. Discretion is not something I would be relying upon on a international trip.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Yeah, the arrival destination countries rules apply. My Delta agents in my local airport always seem to know this and do not try to have me put the ammo in the gun case.

RSA requires that the ammo be in a locked case separate from the firearms locked case. It can be then placed in your checked bag or checked as a bag itself. It must also not exceed 5kg (11lb). Same applies for spent brass and recovered bullets. The SA police nor customs appeared to be checking things terribly close. They only wanted to verify that the serial #'s on the rifles matched the serial #'s on the temporary import permit and were signed by me the hunter. No checks whatsoever were made of the ammo case but God help you if you draw their attention and have it packed wrong.

Coming back via Delta to Atlanta, our US CBP officer opened the gun case and inspected the rifles to match the serial #'s to the CBP document which describes each rifle and documents its ownership by you prior to departure from the USA. This is to prove you are not importing a rifle without proper duty fees, etc. They also want to spray the boots/shoes you hunted in to kill parasites. Then you have to take the gun case and other checked bags and re-check them to your final destination where TSA will inspect them again to verify that CBP did it right? or to flex their power over you? I dunno. I have had some airline staff who do not want to see the firearm at all or verify that it is unloaded. They just want you to signed the orange card

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’m surprised it’s even an option to depart with the ammo in the case. I’ve only taken Delta to Joburg once, this April, and was asked at international check in if my ammo was in a separately locked case and under 5kg. Funny thing unlike United and Qatar, upon saying yes, they didn’t ask to see it or weigh it. My favorite remains Qatar who has asked to weigh the ammo out of the locked case several times.

Since the entity opening for inspection is the South African police at the airport, I’d caution against intentionally disregarding their regulations…not saying you couldn’t squeak by especially with aid of Mr. X or the like, but seems like foolish at best.

 

[Tbitty]

Glad he got through safe and sound. Discretion is not something I would be relying upon on a international trip.

I said the same thing, he didn't want to believe me.

 

[Tucketed]

Got it knew 99 percent. Thanks @BRICKBURN for pointing out the critical 1% rules of use being the arrival country the part I was unaware. As I said I have made the trip before but thought wrong. Thanks for the inputs. It’s not an issue just was checking