Firearms information

Importation of Firearms
(Updated – August 2004) - Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes, will be asked to fill in a SAP 520 – Temporary Import Application which is available below or which can be downloaded off the SAPS Website at www.saps.gov.za. Although the forms can be filled out upon arrival we would suggest filling in the form beforehand to save the processing time at the Police Office.

Required Forms

Instructions for Filling in SAP 520 Form

• 1. Black ink must be used to fill in the form.
• 2. The form must be left unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the actual permit.
• 3. Please note that not all sections of the form apply. Visitors bringing their own firearms in for hunting purposes should concentrate on filling in the following:
  Section D – (temporary import or export permit)
  Section E – 1 – 25.4
  Section G
  Section I – (Must fill in all details requested)
  Section J - (remember do not sign until in front of police officer at firearm office)

Additional Requirements along with the SAP 520 are the following:

1. Identity and Flight Details

• a. Passport
• b. Return Airline Ticket

2. Other Supporting Documentation

• a. Proof of Ownership
  Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA Citizens, Customs Declaration Form 4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable
• b. Proof of Export
  Documentary proof of export from the country of origin
• c. Motivation Letter from Client
  This is a letter from the client stating that he is temporarily importing the referred to firearm/s for the purpose of hunting, to include that the firearm/s are required as he will be hunting (list the species to be hunted), etc.
• d. Invitation Letter from the Hunting Outfitter
  This is supporting documentation from the Hunting Outfitter/company with whom the client will be hunting, to include full name of company, full contact details and address, dates and location where the client will be hunting and confirming that the applicant will be using the specific firearms as applied for.
• e. Any Other Supporting Documents

Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure the serial number(s) match those of the licenses (proof of ownership) and the application form. Ammunition will also be inspected.

For visitors clearing customs at the Johannesburg International Airport, please take note of the following procedure to be followed on arrival:

• 1. Clear passport control in the Terminal where your flight arrives (generally South African Air and its co-partners are atTerminal 2 and all other airlines at Terminal 1).
• 2. Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general baggage, 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.
• 3. Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this point proceed to customs)
• 4. 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 (5) hours be set aside for this procedure and between connecting flights.

Firearm / Ammunition Allowances and Specifications

1. No more than one firearm per calibre and 5 Kgs of rounds per firearm will be permitted. No ammunition for other rifle calibers will be permitted.

An exception to this may apply for shotguns where more than one of the same calibre may be allowed for bird hunting purposes if the client produces on arrival at the SAPS Gun Office an acceptable written motivation as to why more than one is required.

2. Firearms must bear the manufacturer’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.

3. Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any visitor wanting to bring in a handgun in this regard needs to have a letter from an association in the country of origin, stating the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.

4. Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into South Africa include:

• a. Any fully automatic weapon
• b. Any semi-automatic weapon
• c. Handgun/s for self-defence
• d. Weapons which fall under military categories

General Provisions:

1. Temporary Import Permits:

• a. May only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of hunting
• b. Will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act with regard to the carrying, storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition
• c. Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in the permit
• d. 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 written permission having been obtained from the Central Firearm Register.
• e. Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa, the firearm in respect of which the permit is issued must accompany the holder of the permit
• f. 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
• g. A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time

.           All applicants must be 21 or over.