A minimum calibre of .270 is recommended, but for some of the big five including the hippopotamus and crocodile, a minimum calibre of .375 is recommended. Alternatively Lichenry Hunting and Safaris have a wide range of firearms available for your convenience if you prefer not to travel with your own firearm.

Contact your local customs office prior to departure to get all necessary information applicable to legally export your firearm.

Firearms must bear the manufacture’s serial number or any other mark by which the firearm can be identified. The identification number must be stamped and the mark affixed in the prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm.

Legislation governing international flights demands that rifles and ammunition be transported in separate lockable cases. A soft case is recommended for day to day movement of your firearm during safari.

THE FOLLOWING FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER SOUTH AFRICA:

• Any automatic or semi automatic firearms.
• More than one firearm per calibre per person.
• Handguns for self-defence.
• Weapons which fall under military categories.
• More than 200 rounds of ammunition per person.
• Any pistol or revolver (unless specified for hunting).

An exception to these restrictions may possibly apply to shotguns, where more than one of the same calibre may be allowed for bird hunting purposes. The client needs to produce (on arrival at the SAPS Gun office) an acceptable written motivation as to why more than one is required.
A semi- automatic shot gun for hunting purposes may be allowed if an application is made at least 21 days before arrival through the Central Firearms Register with a motivation letter as to why this type of firearm is required.

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND INFORMATION.

• Temporary import permits may only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of hunting.
• Temporary import permits will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act with regard to the caring, storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition.
• Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in the permit.
• Subject to the fact that no person who holds a temporary import permit is allowed to transfer the firearm to another person in South Africa without prior permission having been from the Central Firearm Register.
• Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit holder leaves the Republic of South Africa, the firearm in respect of which the permit is issued must accompany the holder of the permit.
• A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time application must be 21 or over.
• Possession of no more than the quantity of cartridges determined by the Registrar and specified on the permit for each firearm in respect of which the temporary import permit applies.
• Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import permit not issued, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest on departure from South Africa.
• Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made in advance to the Central Firearm Register. Ask your Hunting Outfitter to assist you in this regard.
• Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive on the same flight as you do. This must be done with the airline company on departure. Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will not be released to your outfitter or professional hunter should it/they arrive on a separate flight. If the firearm/s does not arrive with the passenger, the passenger must proceed to his final destination in South Africa and apply at the closest Police Station for a Temporary Import Permit. When the Temporary Import Permit has been issued, the original permit with the keys to the rifle case must be couriered to the Border Post of entry. A Transport Agent with transport permit must be appointed by the passenger. This Transport Agent must have a letter from the passenger instructing him/her to transport the firearm/s to the passenger in person. The firearm/s will be inspected by the Police at the Port of entry and the firearm/s and permit will be handed to the transporter to be transported to the passenger.
• Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling of firearms at Johannesburg International Airport, or any port of entry. The issuing of the SAP 520 is a free service and the South African Police Service asks clients not to pay anybody involved in handling firearms from the time of arrival in South Africa right through until you receive your firearm/s and the permit from the SAPS.
• Clients that are paying the various airline staff, security staff, or porters involved are actually creating a problem. Please note however there is a handling fee charged by airlines and/or security companies for the handling of handguns, and some airlines have started charging a handling fee for all firearms. We suggest checking with your airline with regard to any “official” fees that may be required.
• There is no permit required, nor any charge by the South African Police Service for a bow. Handling fees are charged by airline and/or security companies for bows and handguns.
• Please note that NO firearms will be held for safekeeping by the SAPS. If a client brings in a prohibited firearm, brings in more than what is allowed, or lacks the necessary documentation and his request for a temporary import permit is denied, the involved firearms must be exported immediately by the client or voluntarily surrendered to the State

WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AT O.R TAMBO INTERNATIONAL IN JOHANNESBURG?

• Disembark from aircraft and clear passport control in the Terminal where your flight arrives (generally SAA and its co-partners at Terminal 2 and all other airlines at Terminal 1).
• Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel.
• Pick up general baggage, and then proceed to the respective Airline Help Desk to pick up firearm/s from the airline company and sign a receipt for the firearm/s. Ask the Airline Help Desk to direct you to the South African Police Firearm Office. Depending on the terminal where you arrive, they may need to escort you to the Office.
• Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this point proceed to customs).
  On receipt of the temporary import permit at the SAPS Firearm Office, proceed to Customs, the Red Zone, where you declare the firearm/s and finish other custom clearance procedures.
• For those visitors clearing customs at any of the other international points of entry, please take note of the relevant information made above which relates to documentation requirements, etc.
• Please insure sufficient time is allowed to go through the temporary importation process and to clear customs. During the busy periods of the hunting season up to seventy clients may be needing permits at the same time. We would therefore recommend at least five hours be set aside for this procedure and between connecting flights.