Is it feasible to travel with a Supressor to Africa?

[Nicaburns]

I have seen it discussed in several threads but there doesn’t seem to be a solid consensus on whether this is truly possible or just a fools errand. Any tips and advice would be appreciated!

 

[Bandera]

Fill out a 4457 and take your tax Stamp with you. Carry it in your locked gun case or checked luggage.

 

[549]

Relevant to my interest.

Does it have to be in checked luggage?

 

[Bandera]

Locked gun case or in checked luggage. Locked gun case is where mine travels.

Edit to this make sure you are using a quality gun case, like a Pelican, Eylar etc. Plano is not a quality gun case. It maybe TSA approved, but they are junk. When you compare it to other cases the lack of quality material is apparent.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

This has been researched and discussed at length.

I am travelling United through Chicago and Newark. I have decided to leave the suppressor home. On the return flight I have to clear my rifle at the Newark airport and I'm not going to argue with a TSA person.

If I were traveling through Atlanta I would bring the suppressor.

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Peaceable Journey laws The federal code 18 USC § 926A. Can cover most airline travel stops enroute in the US. I have traveled with my suppressors from Africa many times through Newark enroute to my home in Washington State. Always have your 4457 and tax stamp copy. Do not add the suppressor to a 4457 with other rifles. I keep mine locked up in my other case with ammo, binos, etc. I never mention it because I am not required to, just the firearms in there case is all that they are interested in.
TSA, Customs, etc are Federal and really have little or no knowledge or authority in State laws where the International Airport happens to be.
Granted I understand some Gents being cautious and just forgoing an issue or delay with some ill informed TSA or Customs chap! Perhaps I have just been lucky so far?

 

[sniper7]

I e done in from Denver to JHB through London and Frankfurt.
Will do it again this year through Munich.

I would be cautious about Newark. Atlanta would be no problem.

 

[Nicaburns]

This has been researched and discussed at length.

Yes, I found several threads with some info contained but search did not turn up a single thread dedicated to the topic so I appreciate the input!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have seen it discussed in several threads but there doesn’t seem to be a solid consensus on whether this is truly possible or just a fools errand. Any tips and advice would be appreciated!

It is a gray area honestly. If you take it put it on a separate 4457 and keep it out of sight.(ex. Gear bag in gun case)

 

[lil 2 sleepy]

Ask your outfitter if they have an extra. I took a metric adapter and put his suppressor on my kids rifle last time. Easy peasy

 

[Pirkan]

Trying to get the required permits to go through Amsterdam with one was an absolute pain so I just borrowed one in Africa.

 

[Rellik]

Fill out a 4457 and take your tax Stamp with you. Carry it in your locked gun case or checked luggage.

That may have worked for you but it is apparently not universally accepted as the correct process.
I had to make a trip to Bozeman MT to get my 4457 signed. I hadn't decided on what rifle to take (one is threaded and one is not) so I filled out 3 4457s, one for each rifle and one for my suppressor. The CBP officer had no issue signing one for each rifle, but would not sign one for my suppressor without "other paperwork". I had the suppressor and the Form 4, but he wouldn't even look at it.
I tried to explain to the CBP officer and his supervisor that the 4457 was not a permission slip to travel with a suppressor, but merely a registration of ownership to avoid paying a duty on re-entry to the US . He was having none of it and declared somewhat smugly that he denies these all of the time unless the traveler has the " other paperwork" , I assumed the other paperwork was the ATF 5520.20. but he could not confirm. I did not have that, as it currently seems to be a grey area whether it is needed or not for a suppressor and no one that I have contacted at ATF can answer definitively. It is sad (but not surprising) that the the 3 US gov agencies (ATF, CBP and TSA ) that are supposed to know the regulations, don't. The Bozeman CBP office is a 5 hour roundtrip for me on Montana's wintery roads so the decision on what rifle to take was made for me . I won't be taking the suppressor.

 

[Bandera]

That may have worked for you but it is apparently not universally accepted as the correct process.
I had to make a trip to Bozeman MT to get my 4457 signed. I hadn't decided on what rifle to take (one is threaded and one is not) so I filled out 3 4457s, one for each rifle and one for my suppressor. The CBP officer had no issue signing one for each rifle, but would not sign one for my suppressor without "other paperwork". I had the suppressor and the Form 4, but he wouldn't even look at it.
I tried to explain to the CBP officer and his supervisor that the 4457 was not a permission slip to travel with a suppressor, but merely a registration of ownership to avoid paying a duty on re-entry to the US . He was having none of it and declared somewhat smugly that he denies these all of the time unless the traveler has the " other paperwork" , I assumed the other paperwork was the ATF 5520.20. but he could not confirm. I did not have that, as it currently seems to be a grey area whether it is needed or not for a suppressor and no one that I have contacted at ATF can answer definitively. It is sad (but not surprising) that the the 3 US gov agencies (ATF, CBP and TSA ) that are supposed to know the regulations, don't. The Bozeman CBP office is a 5 hour roundtrip for me on Montana's wintery roads so the decision on what rifle to take was made for me . I won't be taking the suppressor.

Hate to hear you had a terrible time. Sounds like another case a person or persons who do not know the rules or do not care about the rules.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

That may have worked for you but it is apparently not universally accepted as the correct process.
I had to make a trip to Bozeman MT to get my 4457 signed. I hadn't decided on what rifle to take (one is threaded and one is not) so I filled out 3 4457s, one for each rifle and one for my suppressor. The CBP officer had no issue signing one for each rifle, but would not sign one for my suppressor without "other paperwork". I had the suppressor and the Form 4, but he wouldn't even look at it.
I tried to explain to the CBP officer and his supervisor that the 4457 was not a permission slip to travel with a suppressor, but merely a registration of ownership to avoid paying a duty on re-entry to the US . He was having none of it and declared somewhat smugly that he denies these all of the time unless the traveler has the " other paperwork" , I assumed the other paperwork was the ATF 5520.20. but he could not confirm. I did not have that, as it currently seems to be a grey area whether it is needed or not for a suppressor and no one that I have contacted at ATF can answer definitively. It is sad (but not surprising) that the the 3 US gov agencies (ATF, CBP and TSA ) that are supposed to know the regulations, don't. The Bozeman CBP office is a 5 hour roundtrip for me on Montana's wintery roads so the decision on what rifle to take was made for me . I won't be taking the suppressor.

all you need to do is go on line and print the 5520 make sure the first line is the ( name on your trust exactly) nothing else or they will send it back, the rest of the form is simple just read it carefully when you fill it out and email it in will take about 3-4 weeks if you filled it out correctly. don't worry bout the 4457 as the 5520 shows you own it and take your stamp and form 4. I put my suppressor in my gun case no problem thru Atlanta or Newark but I avoid Newark now because if your flight gets delayed or canceled and you have to get your gun case and luggage you could become a felon if you have to recheck it in.

 

[Rellik]

all you need to do is go on line and print the 5520 make sure the first line is the ( name on your trust exactly) nothing else or they will send it back, the rest of the form is simple just read it carefully when you fill it out and email it in will take about 3-4 weeks if you filled it out correctly. don't worry bout the 4457 as the 5520 shows you own it and take your stamp and form 4. I put my suppressor in my gun case no problem thru Atlanta or Newark but I avoid Newark now because if your flight gets delayed or canceled and you have to get your gun case and luggage you could become a felon if you have to recheck it in.

I appreciate the guidance but I leave for SA in 6 weeks and all of my SAPS paperwork for the rifle I'm taking is in process. Maybe next time.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I leave in 7 weeks for the East Cape, hope you have a wonderful trip and be safe

 

[Javaman]

MRI (Most Recent Information) on 5320.20 -

I filled out 5320.20 by hand, in pen, making sure to be careful and specific with my information. I left box 10 blank but used the term “personal use” for box 6, “personal conveyance” for box 9 and my airport (IAD) for both box 11 and 12.

I scanned it and emailed to atf at the directed email address. They snail-mailed back a printed page with a check mark showing Approved and an Official stamp - took about 2 weeks.

I now feel that I have Federal ATF permission to temporarily export the suppressor with me to SA as long as I bring it back with me. I will take all my paperwork including tax stamp, 4457 and Trust doc just in case.

YMMV but wanted to share my experience with the group.

 

[280AI]

I got my 5320.20 back Approved, but Customs won't sign my 4457. They want an Export license.

 

[sureshot375]

It’s honestly easier just to have one waiting on you there. They are cheap to buy in RSA. I picked up one a few years ago. Now it’s there for me or any of my buddies to use when we hunt with this outfitter.

 

[Javaman]

I got my 5320.20 back Approved, but Customs won't sign my 4457. They want an Export license.

Dang it! I’ll try tomorrow.