Police encounters in South Africa

[Hunting Hitman]

It’s all about terminology. You handled it correctly but Improbably would have had the PH offer an import permit fee to get through the process. I’m sure the attorney could go back later and pay a disposal fee to the police and get the items for your PH.

While it’s not worth the hassle it’s on your PH to solve the problem. Glad you only lost the 1/2 day of travel.

HH

 

[G Skinner]

This is not just a problem in Africa ...... Upon my return to Canada . Canadian Customs detained me for my compound bow ...... She told me I was not allowed a crossbow in Canada and that I had to produce a PAL in order to keep it and then there was an issue with my broadheads not being declared as blades ?

 

[Green Chile]

I always give my remaining ammo and brass to my PH, so I’m not certain what happens on the return trip home with ammo. Just one less thing to consider, but clearly circumstance.

Sometimes SAPS gets confused on the empties. I've seen that. Also, recovered bullets can get their attention. Anything outside of the box is a squirrel for them to chase.

 

[Green Chile]

This is not just a problem in Africa ...... Upon my return to Canada . Canadian Customs detained me for my compound bow ...... She told me I was not allowed a crossbow in Canada and that I had to produce a PAL in order to keep it and then there was an issue with my broadheads not being declared as blades ?

I know of a recent situation in Africa (this season) where the client had a bow and a rifle. The rifle was on the permit of course. The officer asked for the serial of the bow and why wasn't it on the gun permit. It's not a gun. The PH had to argue with the officer about that scenario. Common sense isn't common.

 

[Red Leg]

That's fair but how would you declare reloading components?

I have no idea. I simply would not consider bringing them.

 

[Green Chile]

It's very common for PHs to request this or that which is hard for them to source locally. I've been successful at that in the past but won't be doing it anymore on anything gun or ammo related. This particular PH is also not going to request it from clients anymore.

 

[grand veneur]

The problem wasn't just with the South African police. It certainly unfolded in an African way, but it could also have happened in other countries of this world with really serious consequences. Many of you come from countries where gun laws are not very strict. As an European and especially as a French or German, I would never think of transporting unofficially registered weapon parts. A lot of this things have to be registered in our countries and entered into our gun ID cards.

When it comes to components for reloading, we often have already problems during domestic weapons checks in our countries when it comes to storage of rifles and ammunition, domestic checks from the authorities that many of you also don't know. Some so-called inspectors cannot distinguish with absolute certainty between loaded ammunition and reloading components. That's why you cannot expect that African authorities do it better than ours.

The absolute rule for traveling without too much problems with rifles and ammunition is to have with you only the rifle and his accessories, the right ammunition and, if possible, carry the empty cases with you on the way back, especially if someone has counted the cartridges beforehand. If cases have been lost by hunting, a good explication must be prepared, maybe an evidence that you shot game.

 

[grand veneur]

You should not always see corruption and bribes everywhere. This sort of thing is certainly widespread in Africa, but there are laws regarding it in these countries too. It always depends on who control you, some people are very strict about the laws, like in our countries. Anyone who tries to achieve something through money can be arrested for attempting to corrupt an official. If someone wants something, it is announced in an indirect way in African style, never suggest nowadays something like that straight away.

 

[Green Chile]

It was interesting that they never asked us directly for a bribe...and we didn't offer that either. I felt like what we had done was not illegal but offering a bribe is illegal (even though it happens a lot). When we left them to talk, the attorney worked that out. I didn't ask what was said but the result was obvious.

 

[matt2H]

Very interesting and I think kudos for remaining calm in both situations.

Departing ORT in 2023 I had a similar situation with a single spent brass case in my luggage. It was a mistake on my part and a stupid one. I too was phoned and escorted to the small windowless room and had to watch my bag being examined for the offending piece of brass. It was confiscated and I had to sign the piece of paper. With a sarcastic smile I recall it being pretty close to a large bladed knife - far more dangerous than some brass.

Regardless - I am much more careful now and try to create such opportunities.

One final note on that paper- I think it is mere paperwork and filed in the trash can or forgotten drawer. I travelled for my hunt in July 2024 with rifle and ammunition without any issues.

 

[Green Chile]

One final note on that paper- I think it is mere paperwork and filed in the trash can or forgotten drawer. I travelled for my hunt in July 2024 with rifle and ammunition without any issues.

I've been to Africa 4x since the first scenario in the small windowless room and nothing seemed to be flagged in my paperwork or processing. There are many of these logbooks around. I've signed numerous different ones going through the same checkpoint.

 

[Foxi]

That's fair but how would you declare reloading components?

not at all .just leave it alone. a certain amount of the blame for this situation also lies with you.an experienced hunter like you who takes weapons and ammunition things abroad......In Germany, they would also get you into trouble.One of my Ph s in Zimbabwe once asked me to bring a rear and front sight for his gun and he was a bit offended when I didn't do it.Everything that makes the authorities suspicious stays at home.When I travel by plane with friends, I always ask them to put their eyeballs in their jackets and other bags to make sure that there is no ammunition left in them, even if it's only shot shells. In these matters, all customs officials are free from joke, even without the desire for cash.
I never expect flight attendants and customs to know the laws.