Suppressors in Africa

[booker]

We have the Outfitter buy one for us before we come and use it when we are there. We then have suppressors when we hit country and we do not have to worry about all the legal crap. We have to go to the range anyways so the tweak to the optic due to the suppressor can be done then. We got each of ours for less than $500.

 

[xbr897]

To cover your bases for taking it out the US and bringing it back in, fill out and get approval on ATF Form 5320. I had my form approved and back to me within 25 days of mailing it in. No issues at all with customs.

There may be concerns depending on your transit points and point of entry to the US. If you're are arriving to the US in a state that bans suppressors then there is some risk there. Probably fine flying on Delta out of Atlanta, less fine flying on United out of Newark.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

this past April I had the form approved my buddy applies 3 times and was denied so he reapplied and sent it to the woman that approved mine and never heard back. we both took our suppressors and on return the customs in Atlanta never said anything about them just "I wish everyone had their paperwork as neat as you guys, get going .

 

[samson7x]

this past April I had the form approved my buddy applies 3 times and was denied so he reapplied and sent it to the woman that approved mine and never heard back. we both took our suppressors and on return the customs in Atlanta never said anything about them just "I wish everyone had their paperwork as neat as you guys, get going .

So you had a copy of approved form 4 and form 5320.20 and your buddy just had the copy of form 4 and neither of you had issues. Is that correct?

I applied and it was approved but apparently got lost in mail. I've attempted getting another copy but can't get anyone to call me back.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

yes I took my suppressor paper work, copy of my stamp, sales receipt and my approved 5320.00. but I buddy had left messages and no return call either. last year and early this year I know of a bunch of people that have been turned down, and an email I received was talking about changing the import/export permit process for suppressors, the state dept still considers it as a military munition's item. 4 friends had their PH buy suppressors in SA and only paid 300.00 but I think it is a waste of money doing that as you may not go back the same outfitter. now last year in Newark a fellow hunter told me he bought one in SA that had the holes on the end like a brake and they asked him what it was, he said it told them it was a muzzle brake and they said ok they did not look it had no name serial number or anything on it so he was going to do a form 1

 

[Bert the Turtle]

yes I took my suppressor paper work, copy of my stamp, sales receipt and my approved 5320.00. but I buddy had left messages and no return call either. last year and early this year I know of a bunch of people that have been turned down, and an email I received was talking about changing the import/export permit process for suppressors, the state dept still considers it as a military munition's item. 4 friends had their PH buy suppressors in SA and only paid 300.00 but I think it is a waste of money doing that as you may not go back the same outfitter. now last year in Newark a fellow hunter told me he bought one in SA that had the holes on the end like a brake and they asked him what it was, he said it told them it was a muzzle brake and they said ok they did not look it had no name serial number or anything on it so he was going to do a form 1

How did you fill in the 5320? Looks like it is for firearms. Even (and sometimes especially) if paperwork is not actually required, having a bunch of paperwork often makes things smoother when dealing with officials. “You don’t need this form” is a lot more pleasant than “do you have?”

 

[Hyde Hunter]

according to the guy at the State Dept says it is really an import/export form for business not us. did they ATF call you and tell you it was approved? I never got a notice it just showed, up but I will never mess with any forms anymore as customs does seem to care any more since so many people are taking them

 

[0002S]

An alternative if you dont want to deal with the potential hassles of traveling with a suppressor is simply to have your PH either buy one that has the correct thread pitch for your rifle for you ($150-$300 depending on what you want) and then just "gift" it to the PH/Outfitter when you leave (pretty small expense in the grand scheme of things when you look at the total cost of a safari).. or, ask if your PH has a suppressor in camp that you can borrow/lease for a small fee, and then get a thread adaptor that allows his suppressor to connect to your rifle (generally about a $20 investment for a decent thread adaptor)..

Most of the camp guns for PG have suppressors on them at @Bos en Dal SAFARIS .. and I know of at least 1 suppressor (.30 cal) that was purchased and then left behind by another AH member that could probably be used if he was asked nicely... I'd guess most other camps have a similar situation (suppressed camp guns and potentially additional suppressors laying around available for use while you are in camp)...

TPNI

 

[samson7x]

Well I was able to email the examiner directly and she sent an electronic copy so I’ll take it just in case.

 

[samson7x]

How did you fill in the 5320? Looks like it is for firearms. Even (and sometimes especially) if paperwork is not actually required, having a bunch of paperwork often makes things smoother when dealing with officials. “You don’t need this form” is a lot more pleasant than “do you have?”

Silencers are classified as “firearms.”