Flight Questions

[375 Ruger Fan]

Ditto on @TRAVEL EXPRESS and fly Delta to JNB and overnight there at City Lodge. Use @riflepermits.com to help expedite your rifle clearance. Or use their VIP service to bypass the slow-slow customs/immigration lines at JNB. It's worth the $100 or so. The SAPS form is long. Get your US forms CBP 4457 done ahead of time as you need it for the SAPS paperwork and also to bring your firearms back into the US.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/cbp_form_4457.pdf

When you check in for the AirLink flight to East London, it's a simple 16 step process. You'll start at a domestic check in counter and they will tell you to take your rifles and ammo over to the customer service counter, where there may or may not be anyone working there. After you get done there, you take your rifle and ammo to the Firearm / Weapon Check-in Police office. The policeman won't have a pen, so bring a couple extra and leave him one. This is an actual photo, pay attention and don't make a wrong turn. Use AirTags in your rifle case and ammo case.

 

[Philip Glass]

PDX

Ok flying from the West coast you have a myriad of options. I fly Delta and Qatar primarily. You will use Airlink to get from JNB to East London.
I definitely recommend calling Jennifer at @TRAVEL EXPRESS , our AH Sponsor, and let her know your dates and destinations. She will give you all your gun friendly options.
A TA will be your best travel money spent!

 

[Philip Glass]

Ditto on @TRAVEL EXPRESS and fly Delta to JNB and overnight there at City Lodge. Use @riflepermits.com to help expedite your rifle clearance. Or use their VIP service to bypass the slow-slow customs/immigration lines at JNB. It's worth the $100 or so. The SAPS form is long. Get your US forms CBP 4457 done ahead of time as you need it for the SAPS paperwork and also to bring your firearms back into the US.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/cbp_form_4457.pdf

When you check in for the AirLink flight to East London, it's a simple 16 step process. You'll start at a domestic check in counter and they will tell you to take your rifles and ammo over to the customer service counter, where there may or may not be anyone working there. After you get done there, you take your rifle and ammo to the Firearm / Weapon Check-in Police office. The policeman won't have a pen, so bring a couple extra and leave him one. This is an actual photo, pay attention and don't make a wrong turn. Use AirTags in your rifle case and ammo case.

View attachment 672843

Ditto all of that!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have used Patrick who runs PWP travel and I really enjoyed it. I think the extra cost they charged me was $200 for their fee. I felt like it was worth it, personally. I know some people get a level of satisfaction out of doing it all on their own, but I am happy to pay, what I feel like is a small fee, and have someone else book it all for me. I have quite a bit of experience traveling and traveling abroad, although, not as much as some on this site. And I still think it is worth it.

It is very true that you can do all the stuff yourself. To me, I felt like their ~$200 fee was worth every penny.

I have also seen many people on this site use Travel Express which has already been mentioned multiple times on here and I believe they are members on here. People seem very happy with them as well.

If you want to take your own guns and don't go with a travel agent, I would do a domestic flight to ATL, then fly direct with Delta from ATL to JHB. Then you will have an internal flight in SA to East London, and they will require you to alert them you are traveling with a gun, and then they approve it. It isn't a huge deal, but it is an extra step some people have forgotten in the past that can cause issues.

I like Patrick!