Probably a Dumb Travel with Rifles Question

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Gents,

My wife and I will be in Africa next August. The probably dumb question is in regard to the rifle case. I'd like to claim one rifle for the wife, one for me, but putting both in the same case for travel, versus needing two rifle cases. Ammunition would be in a separate case, but both ammo boxes in the same.

Is this doable?

 

[Berettaco]

Why not put both under your name? Might simplify the situation a bit

 

[Flipper Dude]

I’d put both rifles in my name and SAP permit. Never had an issue doing that. So I’m bringing two rifles and wife none.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Assuming the two rifles are different caliber, do as previously suggested and put both rifles in your name

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Why not put both under your name? Might simplify the situation a bit

I’d put both rifles in my name and SAP permit. Never had an issue doing that. So I’m bringing two rifles and wife none.

Assuming the two rifles are different caliber, do as previously suggested and put both rifles in your name

Yah, I forgot to mention...... One rifle will be my .470NE double, the other will be a M70 .375HH. We're going to be gone for about 3 weeks, so need plenty of ammo. What I'm trying to do is not go over the 11lb limit of ammo. This is not terribly difficult to do with the .470 as one of the rifle.

But if my wife gets to claim 11lbs and so do I, problem solved.

 

[roklok]

Last year on my Caprivi buff hunt (Namibia) I took my buddy's rifle in my case, two rifles, one mine, one his. It ultimately was not an issue, but caused enough questioning that I determined I would not do it again. I got the impression that it could have caused problems if the wrong officer chose to make it an issue. Like was suggested, why not put both in your name ?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Last year on my Caprivi buff hunt (Namibia) I took my buddy's rifle in my case, two rifles, one mine, one his. It ultimately was not an issue, but caused enough questioning that I determined I would not do it again. I got the impression that it could have caused problems if the wrong officer chose to make it an issue. Like was suggested, why not put both in your name ?

See my post just before yours.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Idk what 470 ammo weighs. If flying into South Africa and not continuing on to another country, I’d not be afraid to pack ammo in a very light locked container, as it’s contained in your luggage anyway. Flights on Airlink require ammo box to be outside the bag, so needs to be of sufficient strength. I use a pelican 1200, but it’s probably overkill. A box of 470 and two of 375 wouldn’t be a problem I’m thinking

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Idk what 470 ammo weighs. If flying into South Africa and not continuing on to another country, I’d not be afraid to pack ammo in a very light locked container, as it’s contained in your luggage anyway. Flights on Airlink require ammo box to be outside the bag, so needs to be of sufficient strength. I use a pelican 1200, but it’s probably overkill. A box of 470 and two of 375 wouldn’t be a problem I’m thinking

The plan so far is a week in RSA followed by 2 weeks in Zim. There's also a pretty solid chance we'll fly either Qatar Airways or Emirates. They're the only ones I've had weigh ammo before departure flight from USA.

 

[PHIL B]

adel@riflepermits.com
HELLO THIS IS WHO I USED TO GO TO MY SAFARI IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH BOSCHNEL SAFARIS. GO TO WEBSITE AND YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT A US CUSTOMS FORM 4457. IT COST $150 FOR THE PROCESSING FEE TO TAKE IT OVER THERE.
1. THE FIREARM HAS TO BE REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME OF THE OWNER.
2. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FIREARM TO THE US CUSTOMS OFFICE IN YOUR AREA AND HAVE THEM STAMP THE FORM. YOU NEED AN APPT FOR THIS.
3. THE GUN HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT CALIBERS AND CAN GO IN A SINGLE GUN CASE. I HAVE PELICAN CASE. YOU NEED IT LOCKED ON ALL TABS. I GOT 4 SAME KEY PAD LOCKS.
4. CHECK IT IN AT THE AIRLINE AND THE OTHER END (AFRICA) IT WILL BE IN SECURITY. ADEL HAD HER PERSON MEET ME THERE AND IT WENT SMOOTH NO ISSUES.
5. AMMO HAS TO BE IN A LOCKED AMMO CAN AND CAN BE 11 POUNDS. I TOOK 100 ROUNDS OF 300 WETHERBY MAG HAMMERS AND RAN OUT.
6. YOU PH WILL HELP YOU IN THE REVERSE PROCESS OF CHECKING IT BACK IN AFRICA. I HAD TO PAY AN EXTRA $35 AT THE AIRPORT FOR THE CASE.
7. WHEN YOU GET BACK TO AMERICA YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE GUN OR GUNS INSPECTED BY CUSTOMS WHICH TOOK ABOUT AN EXTRA HOUR DUE TO SO MANY OTHER HUNTERS COMING BACK.
8. WHEN I GOT TO FINAL HOME AIRPORT AGAIN BACK TO YOUR SECURITY AND RECLAIM THE GUNS.


IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN, I KNOW YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR OWN GUNS BUT I WILL JUST USE BRENDAN'S GUNS. IT IS 100% LESS HASSLE OF TAKING ONE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.......IF NEED ANYTHING ELSE THAT I CAN SHARE LET ME KNOW.....

 

[Franco]

Will your wife be staying for the entire time?

Whose name will be on your 4457s?

The 5kg limit is an airline issue, some countries also limit the amount of ammo, but not the weight.

A couple years ago I did a 2 country hunt with a combined vacation with my wife. I took 3 rifles - 375 H&H, 458 Lott, and 450/400 NE Double - all in my name, all 4457s in my name, and all in one case.

I split the ammo into 2 cases, each containing 5kgs.

There were no hassles with the airline, and no issues transiting through JNB to Victoria Falls.

My wife flew back to the US after two weeks, and I started my hunt with 10kgs of ammo.

The only problem I encountered was flying from Harare to Lusaka, my case was 2 lbs over their weight limit and the agent would not simply charge for excess baggage. The flight was booked through QATAR, who we had flown from the US. Rather than argue, I charted a flight and had no problems.

Have a great safari

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Will your wife be staying for the entire time?

Whose name will be on your 4457s?

The 5kg limit is an airline issue, some countries also limit the amount of ammo, but not the weight.

A couple years ago I did a 2 country hunt with a combined vacation with my wife. I took 3 rifles - 375 H&H, 458 Lott, and 450/400 NE Double - all in my name, all 4457s in my name, and all in one case.

I split the ammo into 2 cases, each containing 5kgs.

There were no hassles with the airline, and no issues transiting through JNB to Victoria Falls.

My wife flew back to the US after two weeks, and I started my hunt with 10kgs of ammo.

The only problem I encountered was flying from Harare to Lusaka, my case was 2 lbs over their weight limit and the agent would not simply charge for excess baggage. The flight was booked through QATAR, who we had flown from the US. Rather than argue, I charted a flight and had no problems.

Have a great safari

Yes, my wife will be with me the whole time. If need be, I'll put her name on the 4457 for the .375HH.

Regarding the 10kg of ammo you took, did QA weigh all 10kgs of ammo at check-in on your way out of the USA?

 

[Killo]

Will your wife be staying for the entire time?

Whose name will be on your 4457s?

The 5kg limit is an airline issue, some countries also limit the amount of ammo, but not the weight.

A couple years ago I did a 2 country hunt with a combined vacation with my wife. I took 3 rifles - 375 H&H, 458 Lott, and 450/400 NE Double - all in my name, all 4457s in my name, and all in one case.

I split the ammo into 2 cases, each containing 5kgs.

There were no hassles with the airline, and no issues transiting through JNB to Victoria Falls.

My wife flew back to the US after two weeks, and I started my hunt with 10kgs of ammo.

The only problem I encountered was flying from Harare to Lusaka, my case was 2 lbs over their weight limit and the agent would not simply charge for excess baggage. The flight was booked through QATAR, who we had flown from the US. Rather than argue, I charted a flight and had no problems.

Have a great safari

Hi Franco
What case did you use for the 3 rifles?

Thank You

 

[Killo]

Idk what 470 ammo weighs. If flying into South Africa and not continuing on to another country, I’d not be afraid to pack ammo in a very light locked container, as it’s contained in your luggage anyway. Flights on Airlink require ammo box to be outside the bag, so needs to be of sufficient strength. I use a pelican 1200, but it’s probably overkill. A box of 470 and two of 375 wouldn’t be a problem I’m thinking

can you buy .375 ammo in Johannesburg?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

can you buy .375 ammo in Johannesburg?

Oh....you just said dirty words to a hand loader like myself. I'm sure it can be done, but it's either North Forks going down the barrel or nothing at all for me.

 

[Franco]

Hi Franco
What case did you use for the 3 rifles?

Thank You

I use a TuffPak - the had plastic case that looks like a golf bag case. It has wheels so it's not too bad to transport. I put whatever rifle I'm taking into a Murray leather slip, then put those into the Tuffpak. I put a few extras - sweatshirts, culling belt, whatever takes up the empty space and adds padding.

I can send you pictures if you want.

 

[Franco]

Yes, my wife will be with me the whole time. If need be, I'll put her name on the 4457 for the .375HH.

Regarding the 10kg of ammo you took, did QA weigh all 10kgs of ammo at check-in on your way out of the USA?

I would keep her name on the 4457 if you are the registered owner. Check with your PH regarding any forms for JNB and Zim. I kept all mine in my name because with my wife going back before me, there would have been a problem with her not bringing it out of the country.

Yes, QA weighed the ammo - but just the ammo. I use a small, lockable Pelican case - you will need something like that for Airlink - at the counter, I open the case and set the ammo out to be weighed, put it back in the case, and put the case in a checked suitcase. Airlink will have you take the ammo case out, and it goes as a separate checked bag. Sometimes there can be an issue with the African carriers wanting to weigh the ammo including the case. I have always used the services of a "facilitator", and whatever problems arise have gone away.

 

[Killo]

I use a TuffPak - the had plastic case that looks like a golf bag case. It has wheels so it's not too bad to transport. I put whatever rifle I'm taking into a Murray leather slip, then put those into the Tuffpak. I put a few extras - sweatshirts, culling belt, whatever takes up the empty space and adds padding.

I can send you pictures if you want.

Yes please

 

[Franco]

Yes please

I'll PM them to you in the morning.

 

[Sabre]

So, I think you are running up against two different things and from my understanding it mostly helps your situation.

The airline is who is limiting you to 5kgs or 11lbs, or whichever their policy says.
Then separately, the country typically puts a limit on number of rounds. I have seen 100rds used a lot, but I have also read other things.

If I am understanding that correctly then if you had an 11lb ammo case in your bag, and your wife had an 11lb ammo case in her bag, then the airlines wouldn't care. Then when you got to your destination you would hand over the ammo for inspection and as long as it was under the total number of rounds allowed for the one person (you) claiming the rifles, shouldn't that be fine?