Hogpatrol
AH ambassador
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2013
- Messages
- 8,765
- Reaction score
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- Location
- Delaware, USA
- Media
- 96
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- 5
- Member of
- Atglen Sportsmen's Club, NRA, SCI
- Hunted
- RSA, DE, NJ, PA, KS, TX, ME
PM sent
SAA has not been consistent as to handling of separate locked ammo cases. At certain airports within RSA, SAA may require ammo be separate from all bags which of course can add a very large extra bag charge when connecting to other airlines. I had that happen in Durban on way to Joburg connecting to the Delta flight to Atlanta. Delta was going to charge me $220 for the extra checked "bag"- the small ammo case. Delta reps in Joburg were very understanding when I explained what had happened in Durban and graciously waived the extra bag fee. I've heard it can happen in certain other RSA airports as well. I've never had an ammo (or checked gun for that matter) problem with US carriers in US, nor with SAA flights to or from US, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Zambia. I avoid Europe so that's a non-issue for me. Within RSA and even for transit thru RSA airports, locals or your PH should know before hand about "local" rules and can alert traveler so there's no surprises. I've never had an issue with max weight of ammo and can't imagine having to take anywhere near 11 pounds of rifle ammo for anything! The only weight issue I could imagine ever having would be something like shotgun ammo for bird hunting.Found it. That's interesting as other airlines I've used to Africa had the 5k limit regardless of case weight. At any rate, the only time my ammo was looked at was with Air France in Dulles by a clueless gate agent that just wanted to see if it was in ammo boxes and not loose. The weight was immaterial to her.
That rep obviously had no idea what they were talking about. While it is true South Africa demands you keep the ammo separate from the gun in a locked case, that case may be inside of another checked bag. They will only make you take it out within South Africa once you transfer to connecting flights in country and only with live ammo. I only ever bring my empty brass back myselfSo I called and spoke with a Delta rep for over 30 mins. This may be the most absurd reasoning I have encountered. For purposes of South Africa I have to have the ammo in a separate locked case. For purposes of Delta if I check in with the ammo in the separate locked case then the total weight of ammo and case cannot exceed 11 pounds. However, I can simply place all the ammo in my locked rifle case and that is acceptable to Delta.
The problem is I would then be arriving in South Africa with the ammo in the same container as the rifles.
Does anyone know with certainty if I would have an opportunity to transfer the ammo from my rifle case into the separate locked case upon my arrival in South Africa without running afoul of South African requirements?
Alljuiced
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I have never - repeat, never - encountered any policy which states that the weight of the ammo case is included in the weight of the ammo. In fact, I often put my hunting knife or other odds and ends in the same case as the ammo.
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I agree, but that seems to be what Delta has done.They tried this on me once and I pulled out the section of the IATA agreement and did a lesson on interpretation. It is specific about Ammunition weight. NOT a container.
I agree, but that seems to be what Delta has done.
Now, can you make my life easier and give me a link to the IATA document?
When at the ticket counter speaking to the gate agent, DON'T VOLUNTEER ANY INFORMATION ABOUT AMMO. I tell my buds, KYFMS and act dumb, put the unloaded firearm tag in the gun case, your ammo in a Pelican or other case in your checked baggage and that's IT! If I had a dollar for every time the initial gate agent was on the mark with firearms, I could take a free flight.