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Importation of Firearms
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Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes, will be asked to fill in a
SAP 520 – Temporary Import Application which is available from your outfitter, or which can be
downloaded off the SAPS website at www.saps.gov.za or
which can be filled out on arrival. We would suggest filling in the form beforehand to save
the processing time at the Police Office.
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Instructions for Filling in SAP 520 Form
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1
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Black ink must be used to fill in the form.
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2
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The form must be left unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official
issuing the actual permit.
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3
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Please note that not all sections of the form apply. Visitors bringing their own firearms in
for hunting purposes should concentrate on filling in the following:
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Section D - (temporary import or export permit)
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Section E - 1 - 25.4
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Section G
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Section I - (Must fill in all details requested)
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Section J - (Remember do not sign until in front of police officer at firearm office)
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Additional Requirements along with the SAP 520 are the following:
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1
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Identity and Flight Details
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a
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Passport
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b
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Return Airline Ticket
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2
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Other Supporting Documentation
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a
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Proof of Ownership
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Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA Citizens, Customs Declaration Form 4457
(officially stamped) is essential
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b
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Proof of Export
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Documentary proof of export from an official government instituion from the country of origin.
This must be written in English and state the following:
"It is hereby certified that the owner of the firearm(s) [state particulars] with calibre
[state calibre], serial number [state serial number] and type [state type of weapon] is
hereby authorized to temporarily export the above firearm(s) from country [state the country]."
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c
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Motivation Letter from Client
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This is a letter from the client stating that he is temporarily importing the referred to
firearm/s for the purpose of hunting, to include that the firearm/s are required as he will
be hunting (list the species to be hunted), etc.
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d
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Invitation Letter from the Hunting Outfitter
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This is supporting documentation from the Hunting Outfitter/company with whom the client will
be hunting, on their official letterhead. Must include PH's and Outfitters full names,
license numbers, registered provinces. Must state whast type of hunt the client is doing and
what calibres will be used. State where the hunt will take place - name of farm(s) and
district(s). Must state that the mentioned weapons will only be used for hunting purposes on
the mentioned properties. Must state the duration of the hunt. Must be signed and dated.
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e
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Any Other Supporting Documents
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Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure the serial number(s) match those of the
licenses (proof of ownership) and the application form. Ammunition will also be inspected.
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Outiftters should try and get the Temporary Import Permit for their clients from CFR before
their clients arrive as this ensures a speedy process at the airport.
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Johannesburg International
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For visitors clearing customs at the Johannesburg International Airport, please take note of
the following procedure to be followed on arrival:
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1
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Clear passport control in the Terminal where your flight arrives (generally SAA and its
co-partners at Terminal 2 and all other airlines at Terminal 1).
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2
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Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general baggage, then proceed
to the respective Airline Help Desk to pick up firearm/s from the airline company and sign a
receipt for the firearm/s. Ask the Airline Help Desk to direct you to the South African
Police Firearm Office. Depending on the terminal where you arrive, they may need to escort
you to the Office.
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3
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Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this point proceed to customs)
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4
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On receipt of the temporary import permit at the SAPS Firearm Office, proceed to Customs,
the Red Zone, where you declare the firearm/s and finish other custom clearance procedures.
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For those visitors clearing customs at any of the other international points of entry, please
take note of the relevant information made above which relates to documentation requirements,
etc.
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Please insure sufficient time is allowed to go through the temporary importation process
and to clear customs. During the busy periods of the hunting season up to seventy clients may
be needing permits at the same time. We would therefore recommend at least five (5) hours be
set aside for this procedure and between connecting flights.
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Firearm / Ammunition Allowances and Specifications
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1
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No more than one firearm per caliber and 200 rounds per firearm will be permitted. No
ammunition for other rifle calibers will be permitted.
An exception to this may apply for shotguns where more than one of the same caliber may be
allowed for bird hunting purposes if the client produces on arrival at the SAPS Gun Office
an acceptable written motivation as to why more than one is required.
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2
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Firearms must bear the manufacturer’s serial number or any other mark by which the firearm
can be identified. The identification number must be stamped and the mark affixed in the
prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm.
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3
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Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any visitor wanting
to bring in a handgun in this regard needs to have a letter from an association in the
country of origin, stating the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.
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4
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Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into South Africa include:
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a
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Any fully automatic weapon
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b
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Any semi-automatic weapon
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c
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Handgun/s for self-defense
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d
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Weapons which fall under military categories
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5
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A semi-automatic shotgun for hunting purposes may be allowed if an application is made at
least 21 days before arrival through the Central Firearms Register with a motivation letter
as to why this type of firearm is required.
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General Provisions:
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1
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Temporary Import Permits:
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a
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May only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of hunting
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b
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Will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act with regard to the carrying, storage,
safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition
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c
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Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in the permit
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d
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Subject to the fact that no person who holds a temporary import permit is allowed to transfer
the firearm to another person in South Africa without prior written permission having been
obtained from the Central Firearm Register.
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e
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Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa, the
firearm in respect of which the permit is issued must accompany the holder of the permit
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f
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Possession of no more than the quantity of cartridges determined by the Registrar and
specified on the permit for each firearm in respect of which the temporary import permit
applies
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g
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A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time
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h
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Applicant must be 21 or over
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i
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Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import permit not issued, you
will face severe penalties and possible arrest on departure from South Africa.
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2
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Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made in advance to the Central Firearm
Register. Ask your Hunting Outfitter to assist you in this regard.
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3
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Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive on the same flight as you do. This must be done with
the airline company on departure. Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will not be
released to your outfitter or professional hunter should it/they arrive on a separate flight.
If the firearm/s do not arrive with the passenger, the passenger must proceed to his final
destination in South Africa and apply at the closest Police Station for a Temporary Import
Permit. When the Temporary Import Permit has been issued, the original permit with the keys to
the rifle case must be couriered to the Border Post of entry. A Transport Agent with transport
permit must be appointed by the passenger. This Transport Agent must have a letter from the
passenger instructing him/her to transport the firearm/s to the passenger in person. The
firearm/s will be inspected by the Police at the Port of entry and the firearm/s and permit
will be handed to the transporter to be transported to the passenger.
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4
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Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling of firearms at Johannesburg
International Airport, or any port of entry. The issuing of the SAP 520 is a free service and
the South African Police Service asks clients not to pay anybody involved in handling firearms
from the time of arrival in South Africa right through until you receive your firearm/s and the
permit from the SAPS. Clients that are paying the various airline staff, security staff, or
porters involved are actually creating a problem. Please note however there is a handling fee
charged by airlines and/or security companies for the handling of handguns, and some airlines
have started charging a handling fee for all firearms. We suggest checking with your airline
with regard to any "official" fees that may be required.
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5
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There is no permit required, nor any charge by the South African Police Service for a bow.
Handling fees are charged by airline and/or security companies for bows and handguns.
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6
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Please note that NO firearms will be held for safekeeping by the SAPS. If a client brings in
a prohibited firearm, brings in more than what is allowed, or lacks the necessary documentation
and his request for a temporary import permit is denied, the involved firearms must be
exported immediately by the client or voluntarily surrendered to the State.
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