Airport Jo'burg weapon-importing as a hunting guest

[Foxi]

Does anyone have recent experience at Johannesburg airport customs/police with importing weapons?
Has anyone tried it without an “agent”?
Has it become more difficult than two years ago?
How were the tips?
Thank you for an answer
Foxi

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I had a transit permit this past summer. We overnighted at JNB and flew out the next day for Mozambique. But we had Henry Durrheim's service thru Riflepermits.com with a pre-approved permit. I'll say this much about it. There was a big crowd in the SAPS office trying to get their rifles.

With having "a guy" on my side of the deal, we moved to the front of the line and were in and out of the office in 10 minutes or less. I plan to use Henry's service in the future.

We tipped only those folks working for Henry, no one in the SAPS.

 

[SETH RINGER]

DON'T THINK IT IS MORE OF A HASSLE THAN IT WAS A FEW YEARS BACK AND I'M A DO IT MYSELF KIND OF GUY BUT I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER VALUE FOR SAVING TIME AND AVOIDING HASSLE THAN USING RIFLEPERMITS.COM

 

[sureshot375]

It’s well worth the money to have someone help you.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Let’s face it. Aren’t we happy deep down to walk past all the guys in line that don’t use a permit expediting company.

If we all used them. We would not be able to move to the front of the line. Or we would need to continually pay more and more to jump the line.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Let’s face it. Aren’t we happy deep down to walk past all the guys in line that don’t use a permit expediting company.

If we all used them. We would not be able to move to the front of the line. Or we would need to continually pay more and more to jump the line.

When I turned to head out with my case and saw the sneering look on the faces of those who were there before me and still waiting, I felt bad, all the way to the SAPS office door..... Then I realized I got what I paid for.

 

[Andrew62]

Sure, you can do the permitting yourself, if it takes you 30-45 extra minutes and you save 150.00, I get it. For me, however, this is the cheapest part of the hunt, and if I can pay 150.00 and have a reduction in anxiety that if something does go sideways, I'll have someone there to advocate for me and get me on my way quicker, then it is money well spent.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Sure, you can do the permitting yourself, if it takes you 30-45 extra minutes and you save 150.00, I get it. For me, however, this is the cheapest part of the hunt, and if I can pay 150.00 and have a reduction in anxiety that if something does go sideways, I'll have someone there to advocate for me and get me on my way quicker, then it is money well spent.

And if you happen to be carrying a double or higher end bolt, that anxiety can be a bit high. But hell I'd pay it if it were only my M70 .375HH, I've got too many memories with that rifle to see it disappear.

 

[wesheltonj]

I’ve done it both ways. If I had a close connection it’s worth the money. Lots of time, not really worth it.