Shipping Ammunition to South Africa

[85Tecate]

Caught the Africa bug last year on my first, but short, trip. Had the chance to take a nice Kudu and I'm now obsessed. I have a few good friends that live in South Africa that are doing most of the foot-work setting up my next trip later this year. We decided it was easier to not bring a gun with me from the US. My question is, can I ship ammo to my contact in SA for me to use when I arrive and use with a gun in-country? Or maybe ship to the PH? I do have an FFL and can provide an invoice for the ammo I ship; thus, essentially making the transaction a purchase from the US by the SA individual to whom I ship. Any insight on this would be appreciated.

 

[spike.t]

hi welcome to AH. wondering why you want to go through all the aggro to ship ammo, when your ph will have perfectly good ammunition for you to use with his rental rifle?

 

[Royal27]

Welcome!!!!

Others will come along that know better than me, but from what I do understand it isn't worth the trouble to ship and I'm not positive you can even do it. Cheaper for sure just to use his ammunition.

 

[JimP]

That I know of you would have a hard time doing it. UPS and FedEx will only ship ammo within the continental US and ground only. So if you know of a different shipper you may want to contact them and see what their policy is.

Also with the new regulation regarding ammo and firearms that is suppose to go into effect on April 3 you would have more restrictions placed on you.

 

[85Tecate]

My reasoning for shipping ammo was to leave the excess with the PH and to make sure I had the partition ammo I like...

Can find plenty of info about bringing guns and ammo to Africa. Figured they wouldn't let me in with just ammo...so was just trying to understand if it was possible to just ship it in. Sounds like it may not be worth the time.

 

[JimP]

My reasoning for shipping ammo was to leave the excess with the PH and to make sure I had the partition ammo I like...

Can find plenty of info about bringing guns and ammo to Africa. Figured they wouldn't let me in with just ammo...so was just trying to understand if it was possible to just ship it in. Sounds like it may not be worth the time.

You can bring in up to 11 lbs in your checked baggage which equals around 100-130 rounds depending on cartridge and caliber, but with the new regulations it needs to be used for personal use only unless you obtain a export license and a whole lot of other stuff from what I have read.

 

[Royal27]

You can bring in up to 11 lbs in your checked baggage which equals around 100-130 rounds depending on cartridge and caliber, but with the new regulations it needs to be used for personal use only unless you obtain a export license and a whole lot of other stuff from what I have read.

but you have to have the gun that goes with it with you. Don't think you can just randomly bring 100 rounds without a gun to shoot it out of.

 

[JimP]

but you have to have the gun that goes with it with you. Don't think you can just randomly bring 100 rounds without a gun to shoot it out of.

You are right, I just dug through some regulations and it says that you can not import ammo alone without a rifle and that the ammo needs to match the rifle.

I'll figure out this African hunting sooner or later.

 

[Royal27]

I'll figure out this African hunting sooner or later.

There is a lot to figure out!!!!

That's what makes this site so awesome!!!!!

 

[JimP]

I better hurry, my hunt starts on May 15.

 

[bluey]

welcome to AH,85tecate.

 

[James.Grage]

DHL ships to Africa and the cost is extremely high.

We just sent a small drawing and a folding knife as wedding presents to a couple and the cost was over $200.00

It is sitting in South African customs now as it has been for the past week wanting to know what is in the box. We let them know that they could open is needed to make an inspection if that would speed the delivery of the package. This is after we let them know what was in the box.

I am sure the issue is/was that we sent the items in a computer box.

 

[Sika98k]

It is,admittedly,easier to travel to hunt abroad without firearms. I bought my firearms to use,to hunt with and I do.
There is a certain pleasure to be derived from using your own rifle that you found/bought somewhere that is additional to the conclusion of a successful hunt.
So I would sling your favourite rifle in a case along with your ammo and head off. Once you are there I think it will add to your hunt.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Caught the Africa bug last year on my first, but short, trip. Had the chance to take a nice Kudu and I'm now obsessed. I have a few good friends that live in South Africa that are doing most of the foot-work setting up my next trip later this year. We decided it was easier to not bring a gun with me from the US. My question is, can I ship ammo to my contact in SA for me to use when I arrive and use with a gun in-country? Or maybe ship to the PH? I do have an FFL and can provide an invoice for the ammo I ship; thus, essentially making the transaction a purchase from the US by the SA individual to whom I ship. Any insight on this would be appreciated.

If your buddy really wants the ammo he can just buy it from you. (In fact the transaction you suggest)

It can be done, but I would not enjoy the headache you would both have.

 

[Ado]

Find a PH you like and trust, take extra and leave it with him.

My last three safaris have been a breeze without the hassle of taking ammo through customs...

Ado