Step by Step Airport Procedure

1. Disembark from the aircraft and clear Immigration at the correct terminal.

2. Collect your luggage from the luggage carousel.

3. Passengers arriving in terminal A2 (SAA and partner airlines) proceed to the Securicor luggage cage across from carousel one. Passengers arriving in terminal A1 (Foreign airlines) proceed to your airline desk to claim your rifle case.

4. Show your passport and luggage tag to claim your rifle case. You will be required to sign in Securicor's register that you received your rifle case. 
   THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS SERVICE.

5. Proceed to the South African Police Service Firearm office in Terminal 2 across from carousel one. Airline ground staff or airline security member will escort passengers arriving in terminal A1 to the Firearm office.

6. At the SAPS Firearm office you will be required to produce the following documents:

   • A completed SAPS 520-application form (*). The following sections of the SAPS 520 must be completed:
     E 1 to E 25.4 
     G 1 to G 9.2
     I 1 to I 4.4 
     J 1 to J 4

   • The SAPS 520 must be completed in black ink.

   • Do NOT sign this document at home but in the presence of the police officer at the airport.

   • Passport (Have a copy that has been certified with you)

   • Firearm licence from country of residence. (USA citizens a form 4457.)

   • Proof of export of firearms from country of residence. (This is to proof that your firearms have been legally exported from your country of residence, if your country
     does not have an official export permit we require a letter from a government agency from your country of residence stating this. USA citizens a form 4457).

   • Return airline tickets.

   • Invitation letter from your outfitter. (This letter must be on your outfitters official letterhead and must include:
     1) the name of the person being invited,
     2) the duration of the hunter's stay,
     3) the physical address and tel no of the farm where the hunt will take place,
     4) the type of animals that will be hunted,
     5) the calibers, firearm make, serial number and number of rounds required to hunt these animals,
     6) the outfitter's licence number and the province he is licenced in.)

7. You will be asked to enter the firearm office.

   • Your documents will be inspected. (If your documentation is not in order, you will be asked to rectify it and to join the back of the line.)

   • Your firearms and ammunition will be inspected.

   • You will then be asked to wait outside the office while your application is being processed.

8. The following firearms and ammunition will not be allowed to enter South Africa:

   • Any automatic or semi-automatic firearms,

   • More than one firearm per caliber per person,

   • More than 200 rounds of ammunition per person per firearm,

   • Any pistol or revolver.

   • Reasons why your application will not be approved:

     • If you have any of the abovementioned firearms and/or ammunition,

     • If any of the supporting documents as required in #6 can not be produced,

     • If you are less than 21 years of age,

     • Your application for a temporary import permit will be refused and your firearms and ammunition will be confiscated and will only be handed back to you when you depart back to your country of residence.

9. When your application has been processed and your permit has been issued you will be called back into the office where you will sign for the permit. Remember this process can take up to four hours during peak times. Ensure that you have enough time if you have to take a connecting flight.

10. THE ISSUING OF THE TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMIT IS FREE OF CHARGE. DO NOT TIP OR PAY ANY POLICE OFFICER FOR THIS SERVICE.

11. After you have received your temporary import permit you proceed to the red channel at customs. Declare your firearm at customs and show them your temporary import permit. Proceed past customs to the arrival hall.

12. If your outfitter meets you at Johannesburg International Airport, good, you can relax.

13. Enjoy your hunt!

    • The temporary import permit serves as your firearm license in South Africa and enable you to buy ammunition in South Africa for the calibers noted on the permit.

    • At all times while you are in possession of your firearms, you must have the temporary import permit on your person.

    • When you are not using the firearms, it must be locked in a safe.
      

14. On your final departure from South Africa you have to do the following:

    • Check-in for your international flight.

    • Your rifle case will be tagged and you will be required to take it to the airline security desk that is situated just before the security checkpoint.

    • The airline security will check the serial no of your firearms and your temporary import permit.