PHOENIX PHIL
AH ambassador
I've booked a couple of nights on arrival in Jo'burg at the Afton GH. They offer a preapproved permit service for your guns. Has anyone used this service?
I wouldn't use it. There is forum thread on this website on how to fill out the gun registration form. It's pretty easy to do. Just don't bring a semi-auto gun, that's illegal. Afton has people at the airport all the time and they want to pick you up as soon as they can....so they will make sure you get through the gun registration process. Which is nice....because they know everyone in the know at Tambo.
I stayed in Afton earlier this year, on my way to Zimbabwe. It's only a basic guest house but it's clean and comfortable and I would stay there again. I didn't use the pre-approved service as I didn't think it necessary. The guy from Afton met me at Arrivals and is very familiar with the procedure; we had no difficulty with processing my rifle.
I took along the form required by the South African authorities (SAPS 520) and pre-completed it to speed up the process. Make sure you don't sign the form though; you have to sign in front of the official.
I have been to South Africa with firearms before without having anyone to assist me and I had no problem then. However, it is always useful to have someone local from Afton or somewhere similar, in case things go wrong.
Have a nice trip.