Reloads in Africa

[NDSasquatch]

Good afternoon, I am a new member and will be making my first trip to Africa in May. How does one go about bringing reloaded ammunition into SA.
Do I pack it in MTM style boxes or put my reloads into factory ammo boxes of the same caliber?

 

[RR 314]

Good afternoon, I am a new member and will be making my first trip to Africa in May. How does one go about bringing reloaded ammunition into SA.
Do I pack it in MTM style boxes or put my reloads into factory ammo boxes of the same caliber?

Do a search here. Has been discussed many times. Many have used MTM without issue. I go with factory boxes.

 

[PARA45]

On my first safari in 2012, I took reloaded ammo and placed them on old factory ammo boxes. Never had an issue. In 2022, I took factory. During both trip, no one asked me anything about the ammo.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

 

[Rare Breed]

Good afternoon, I am a new member and will be making my first trip to Africa in May. How does one go about bringing reloaded ammunition into SA.
Do I pack it in MTM style boxes or put my reloads into factory ammo boxes of the same caliber?

I always do the following and on 8 safaries to SA and Zim never a problem:
1. I bought the very lightest plastic ammo box I could find
2. I used the plastic bullet holders only not cardboard boxes and stacked ammo within
I have never had a problem and always use my reloads
The two most important things about taking ammo is staying within 11.5 lbs and making sure head stamps match the caliber of rifle taken

 

[grand veneur]

Opinions vary, in most cases there are no problems, but I have also had situations in Africa where the cartridges were counted and checked individually. Therefore, it's advisable to pack loaded ammunition in factory ammo boxes if possible, so that everything looks as authentic as possible.

 

[deewayne2003]

The verbiage goes something like this….

“Ammo must be packed in original packaging OR packaging specifically designed to store and transport ammo.”

The plastic MTM cases that hold rounds like this are acceptable.

The 20rnd one is the one I used for my .470ne ammo to Zimbabwe; notice the paper towel stuffed in the lid to prevent rattling.

My hand loaded .300Win Ammo went to Zim packaged in these boxes I get from Midwayusa

So my .470ne was in the 20rnd plastic MTM box and the .300Win in the cardboard & styrofoam box above - then placed inside my pelican style ammo carrier.

100% smooth through all customs…. USA, South Africa & Zimbabwe.

Yes they will count your ammo… they counted mine and NEVER said a word about it NOT being factory packaging.

I know people take reloads and put them in factory ammo boxes…. I think this is dangerous and quite frankly ignorant unless you label multiple sides of the box with “RELOADS”

It’s actually law in the USA that if you pack your reloaded shotgun shells in factory boxes to label at least 3 sides of the box with RELOADS.

 

[Rare Breed]

Doing the above I have been able to take 60-80 rounds in a combination up to a 500 NE and 30-06 type caliber staying under 11.5

 

[grand veneur]

Regarding the packaging and transport of ammunition, everything is clear, but the ammo box must be lockable. The problem remain the control by the customs in Africa.

 

[deewayne2003]

This is exactly the amount, packaging and lockable box I used in July to go USA, RSA, Zim & return…..100% flawless transit

Word to the wise- Bring extra TSA luggage locks with you incase some are damaged in transport as mine were.

FYI I also lock up my extra cash in my ammo box upon arrival to camp so I’m not toting $$$$ in my pocket while hunting- just a couple hundred in small bills for incidentals on me while hunting.

 

[JimP]

On both of my hunts I have taken reloads in 20 round plastic boxes. Each trip I took 60 rounds over in a MTM style box that I lined with foam rubber to keep the plastic boxes from bouncing around.

My first trip I shot exactly 20 rounds including sighting in, my second trip it was exactly 40 rounds.

 

[Foxi]

I took a lockable cash box in December.
From Hoedspruit to Jbg it was transported like a normal suitcase (I saw it when loading luggage).
From JBG to Hoedspruit no one wanted to see the ammo.
I took two old ammunition boxes inside(plastic box,have done it before ,several times,but today they can be very creativ for new regulations) and parked my self-loaded ones there.
It fits exactly two boxes of my .375
40 rounds should be enough and no one will ask you selfloaded or not.

 

[Happy Myles]

Sixty five years traveling with ammo never a problem with factory vs handload boxes. Just make sure they are obviously labeled then stored in a sturdy lockable case. Where possible i then store in my shipping duffle or gun case. Most new African hunters take too much ammo. Make sure you stay within the required weight limit. For a thirty day hunt i will take a couple boxes for my 300 Win Mag and a box for my 416 Rigby and had ammo to bring home. Kindest Regards

 

[EuroOptic]

Congratulations on your upcoming hunt! Welcome and look forward to your Hunting report.

 

[FIELD ETHOS]

Welcome to this great forum!

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH NDSasquatch!