Question regarding process of Handling ammunition while flying in SA?

[The Shootist]

When I depart the US, I am required to place my ammunition in a locked case in my checked luggage. When I transfer airlines to Airlink in South Africa, The regulations state that the ammunition cannot be in my carryon or my checked baggage. Can someone shed some light on the process in SA?

Thanks

 

[375Fox]

Put it in your checked bag flying to South Africa. Once you arrive you’ll claim your bag. You’ll go to police in airport to clear your gun and ammo then you’ll recheck your gun, bag, and ammo separately. You can check your ammo in locked case separately on way their too if you like but not required.

 

[JimP]

Just have a luggage tag for your ammo box and a way to attach a airline claim tag.

For a box if you don't have something quite a few on here recommend a Pelecan 1200 I believe. Harbor Freight has a Pelican clone. A friend used a 30caliber plastic can from Harbor Freight, I've got a MTM box.

 

[kpoynter]

Just have a luggage tag for your ammo box and a way to attach a airline claim tag.

For a box if you don't have something quite a few on here recommend a Pelecan 1200 I believe. Harbor Freight has a Pelican clone. A friend used a 30caliber plastic can from Harbor Freight, I've got a MTM box.

I just use a standard plastic amo box and throw a lock on it. I’ve definitely seen people using things like Pelican cases etc.
Super easy either way

 

[Hogpatrol]

Pardon Our Interruption

Your ammo case is another piece of checked baggage.

From this page:

Domestic travel:

Within South Africa, hunting and sporting firearms and ammunition may not be stored in the same case as the firearm nor within checked-in baggage, it must be packed separately.

 

[Philip Glass]

When I depart the US, I am required to place my ammunition in a locked case in my checked luggage. When I transfer airlines to Airlink in South Africa, The regulations state that the ammunition cannot be in my carryon or my checked baggage. Can someone shed some light on the process in SA?

Thanks

Get a Pelican 1200 (PG hunt) or 1300 (DG hunt) for your ammo box for your safari. Dont get junk.

 

[flying sailor]

Absolutely right. Get the best case for your ammo. Just traveled with airlink and your ammo is a separate piece of luggage. You need to inform them prior to travel, a couple days, check their website. Cheers.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Pardon Our Interruption

Your ammo case is another piece of checked baggage.

While the ammunition case is indeed a separate checked bag, the airlines don’t charge you for it. At least in the past they haven’t.

 

[JimP]

I just use a standard plastic amo box and throw a lock on it. I’ve definitely seen people using things like Pelican cases etc.
Super easy either way

If you are being picked up in Joberg a standard plastic ammo box may suffice, but when you are flying inside of South Africa I'd want something a little more sturdy than just a plastic ammo box.

 

[Scott CWO]

Put it in your checked bag flying to South Africa. Once you arrive you’ll claim your bag. You’ll go to police in airport to clear your gun and ammo then you’ll recheck your gun, bag, and ammo separately. You can check your ammo in locked case separately on way their too if you like but not required.

@The Shootist this is the correct advice. Put it in your suitcase to SA to reduce the risk of it getting lost (two bags less risk than three). Once in SA and bags reclaimed, take it out of suitcase and check it separately on AirLink after dealing with firearms office. After you check it, you will have to go to the separate AirLink cashier line to pay extra fees for your firearm case. The AirLink check-in agents are not allowed to accept payments so this is an extra step.

I always use Gracy Travel because they have Bruce and Mike on the ground in Joberg to speed things up. They meet me at my gate and get me cut through all the lines and expedited security, same as airline crews use.

 

[Matfarnsworth]

Here is my process.

USA. In a harbor freight Apache hard case with a tsa lock in each hole. Ammo goes in checked luggage.

Joberg. Ammo comes out of checked luggage and is checked as a 3rd piece of luggage.

 

[Ridge Runner]

While the ammunition case is indeed a separate checked bag, the airlines don’t charge you for it. At least in the past they haven’t.

On this latest trip...

......unless it is a kilo overweight. That's including 5 kilos of ammo (11 pounds) and 1 1/2 kilos (+/- 3/4 pounds) weight of ammo case with locks.

Hopefully you will get an airline agent at check-in that understands "...weight of ammo only..." '...not including container...'.

 

[375Fox]

On this latest trip...

......unless it is a kilo overweight. That's including 5 kilos of ammo (11 pounds) and 1 1/2 kilos (+/- 3/4 pounds) weight of ammo case with locks.

Hopefully you will get an airline agent at check-in that understands "...weight of ammo only..." '...not including container...'.

5kgs is a lot of ammo. Unless maybe you are going on a high volume cull hunt I can’t see why someone can’t fit ammo and case onto 5 kg/11 lbs total so it’s a non issue. That generally gives me 80 rounds of 375 H&H or 300 win. I really can’t remember ever shooting more than 40 rounds on a safari.

 

[375Fox]

Get a Pelican 1200 (PG hunt) or 1300 (DG hunt) for your ammo box for your safari. Dont get junk.

View attachment 696922

Especially when they are $40 used on eBay and last forever. I personally like my SKB ammo case but it’s the same difference.

 

[Ridge Runner]

5kgs is a lot of ammo. Unless maybe you are going on a high volume cull hunt I can’t see why someone can’t fit ammo and case onto 5 kg/11 lbs total so it’s a non issue. That generally gives me 80 rounds of 375 H&H or 300 win. I really can’t remember ever shooting more than 40 rounds on a safari.

This past trip was 40 days in Africa. I had to purchase 30-06 and was lucky to find Africa Outdoors had 2 boxes of 35 grain, Hornady 22 Hornet ammo. I purchase 3 boxes of Oryx 30-06 165 grain and 1 box of 25 count that I thought was 50 count, the same as I have purchased here in the US. The hunt was originally planned for 21 trophy animals, 1 cull cow buffalo and a friendly shooting contest. It turned out, TIA, I hunted more trophy animals and added: 4 cull impala, 1 cull blesbok, and we didn't have our friendly shooting contest.

My 3 gun battery was:
458WM with 50 rounds, all 500 grain bullets
30-06 with 50 rounds, all 165 grain SST bullets
22 Hornet with 50 rounds, all 55 grain bullets

I was just shy, about 1/2 to 3/4 pounds, of 5k or 11 lbs of ammo using my luggage scales and a Walmart bag. The ammo case with minimal amount of foam to secure my ammo weighed right at 1 1/2 pounds.

Agree on my previous trips with one and two gun battery, respectively; 5k/11lbs of ammo for 5 to 10 PG animals plus rifle/scope or other sight check is can bit much.