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Flights within South Africa 

Firearms may not travel as checked baggage and must be declared during check in to be processed at the Firearm Desk. Ammunition must be packed separately from firearms in an appropriate, secure and lockable hard shell or metal case and checked-in at the Firearm Desk. All firearms and ammunition must be declared at the time of check-in. Firearms and ammunition in checked baggage will result in the baggage being rejected.

The following items are not classified as firearms or ammunition, however under South African Regulations, may not  be packed inside checked baggage without having been inspected:

• Toy guns and laser pistols

• Slingshots and catapults

Booking Procedure 

Customers that require to travel with a firearm must contact SAA Reservations to book the firearm to include the required fare in the booking. Passengers who did not declare firearms or goods not allowed in checked baggage will be required to pay the relevant charges at the airport, prior to such items being allowed for carriage. 

Charges 

A handling fee is charged for the carriage of firearms. Payment, not included at the time of booking, and paid at the airport, will only be accepted by debit card, credit card or cash. These firearms/items will be processed at the firearm desk for safe carriage in the hold of the aircraft.

Note: A maximum of two firearms will be allowed per carrier case. An additional rate will be charged if two customers share a carrier case.

Shooting / Hunting (Firearms & Ammunition – subject to correct transportation / safety procedure being followed) 

 Example: 

Johannesburg to Durban = R500 per firearm

Cape Town to Harare via Johannesburg = R800 per firearm

Johannesburg to Harare = R800 per firearm

 Ammunition Allowance 

A maximum of 5kg of securely packed ammunition per traveler is permitted for carriage as a separate piece of baggage, handed in at the firearm desk. Should ammunition be packed in checked baggage, screening authorities may delay, or confiscate baggage containing ammunition.  

 Packaging of firearms and ammunition during transportation

During transportation of firearms and ammunition by a holder of a firearm transporter’s permit:

• firearms must be packed separately from ammunition, and all ammunition must be removed from firearms in a safe manner, before transportation; and
• firearms and ammunition must be transported in an appropriately locked metal / hard shell container, and must be packed to ensure maximum safety and minimum exposure

 On Arrival 

Upon arrival, customers can proceed to the Firearm Desk to collect firearms and ammunition and/or other goods not permitted in checked baggage handed in at the firearm desk for safe carriage.

 Flights outside South Africa 

It is the responsibility of each traveler to comply with local laws on the carriage of weapons in every destination they travel to. It is up to each individual customer to be fully aware of legislation covering firearms and ammunition. Customers with any onward connections within South Africa or transiting through South Africa must note the provisions for flights within South Africa, despite allowances abroad to prevent baggage from being delayed or rejected for travel.

 Departure outside South Africa 

Customers should not pack any firearms or ammunition within checked baggage. Firearms must be packed in suitable lockable metal or hardshell firearm cases. Customers must always declare firearms and request a firearm identification tag to be placed on their firearm case as this will assist in the correct loading and delivery handling on SAA flights arriving in South Africa.

Where customers originate their journey on South African Airways, customers are requested to declare the firearms and any checked baggage containing ammunition to check-in staff for appropriate handling and labelling.

Ammunition may not be carried within checked baggage. Ammunition must be securely packed in a lockable or secure container, and  the total weight must  not exceed 5kgs of ammunition per traveler carrying a firearm. (In general, most airlines allow the carriage of ammunition in terms of the dictums of ICAO Dangerous Goods Standards and associated airline processes followed in terms of IATA requirements/guidance). Note that even if ammunition is allowed in checked baggage in most countries, South Africa and various other countries legislation does not permit the carriage of ammunition within checked baggage. Should you be transiting or connecting on a flight within South Africa, such ammunition may be confiscated during transit or connecting baggage screening.

 Arriving in South Africa 

All declared or identified firearms may be collected from the Firearm Desk just after immigration. Firearms not declared at departure, or not identified by an appropriate label will be delivered to the normal baggage carousel for collection. After collection of checked baggage containing ammunition, customers are required to proceed to the SA Police Firearm Office, where all necessary import permits and other documentation will be finalised. Some items can be collected at the arrival carousel.

Customers with onward domestic flights must clear firearms and ammunition at the SA Police Firearm Office  after proceeding through customs. They will then be required to follow the process as described for domestic flights for onward and return journeys.

Customers with onward international flights may have their firearms and ammunition checked through to the final destination. Do note however that such firearms and ammunition may be blocked by airport baggage screening staff for inspection, which will require the airline to page the traveler to proceed to a baggage reconciliation area, where you will be required to open any bags containing ammunition for inspection.

Customers are urged to declare baggage containing ammunition to the SAA handling agents at the point where they originally join SAA flights to avoid delays during the transfer process.

Customers with onward international flights who have not checked firearms and ammunition through to their final destination will be required to visit the SA Police Firearm Office, before proceeding to international check-in.

 General Information and Assistance 

Strict legislation on the carriage or importation of hand-held firearms exist in almost all countries and heavy fines could be imposed on the customer and the airline should such items arrive without the necessary documentation (e.g. import permits and licenses.) It is the responsibility of the traveler to consult the local consulate of the destination country (including transit and stopovers where applicable) to establish and comply with all entry requirements.

Visitors require a Temporary Import Permit. Temporary Import Permits will only be issued for foreign hunters and participants in an organised sport shooting event. Temporary Import Permits can be obtained on arrival at the SA Police Firearm Office situated after immigration.

 Acceptance Requirements 

• Passport

• Return airline ticket

• Firearm license (or proof of ownership) from country of residence

• Invitation letter from Outfitter or Sport shooting event organiser (on official letterhead)

• Letter from owner of the firearm stating the reasons why the firearm is needed in South Africa

• Address where traveller will stay

• Export permit from country of residence

 Restrictions 

• No automatic, semi-automatic firearms or military weapons are allowed

• No firearms for self-defense, sporting and hunting allowed

• Only 1 firearm per caliber allowed

• Under South African Firearms and Ammunition laws a maximum of only 200 rounds of ammunition will be allowed per firearm caliber

• No handguns may be imported without the necessary permits, and they need to be obtained before arrival

• Person must be 21 years or older to enable them to import a firearm to South Africa.