FAQ

Q.

Pick up and return to Airport?

A.

All pick-ups will be done by a qualified Shingalana staff member. The person responsible will be at the airport 1 hour before your scheduled arrival. You will be provided with the office telephone numbers and two staff mobile numbers before your departure. On your return Shingalana will deliver you to the airport 2 hours before your scheduled departure.  

Q.

Who is responsible for trophy exportation?

A.

The local taxidermist is responsible for arranging export permits and shipping of trophies through an authorized export agent. Costs are the responsibility of the client.

Q.

What type of accommodation can be expected?

A.

Accommodation varies from 5 star lodges to very well organized traditional bush camps with all the necessary amenities. ALWAYS 5 STAR TREATMENT!!

Q.

Can Shingalana supply references?

A.

References will be provided on request.

Q.

What is the minimum period for a safari?

A.

Plains game is 5 days and dangerous game 7 days.

Q.

Who arranges CITES PERMITS?

A.

CITES PERMITS will be arranged by Shingalana.

Q.

What caliber rifles do I need hunt in Africa?

A.

Plains game - minimum .270 cal. Dangerous game - minimum .375H&H (required by law).

Q.

How to temporary import firearms into South Africa?

A.

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 Shingalana.

• Black ink must be used to fill in the form.

• The form should be left unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the actual permit. This gives the police official the   opportunity of ensuring that the signature is an original and is yours. Should you sign the form beforehand, please make sure the form with your original   signature is handed in and not a copy.

• 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:

• Section D – (Temporary import or export permit)
• Section E – 1 – 25.4
• Section G
• Section I – (Must fill in all details requested)
• Section J - (Remember do not sign until in front of police officer at firearm office)

Additional requirements along with the SAP 520 are the following:

1. Identity and Flight Details
a. Passport
b. Return airline ticket
c. Other supporting documentation

• Proof of ownership firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA citizens, Customs Declaration Form 4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable

• Proof of export. Documentary proof of export from the country of origin

• Motivation letter from client. This letter must be written by the client stating that he is temporarily importing the relevant firearm/s for the purpose of   hunting and must include that the firearm/s is/are required for hunting ….(list of species to be hunted).

• Letter of invitation from the hunting outfitter. This is supporting documentation from the hunting outfitter/company with whom the client will be   hunting, which must include full name of company, full contact details and address, dates and location where the client will be hunting and must   confirm that the applicant will be using the specific firearms as applied for.

• Any other supporting documents. Firearms will be physically inspected so as to ensure that the serial number(s) match those of the licenses (proof of   ownership) and the application form. Ammunition will also be inspected.

2. Visitors clearing customs at the OR Tambo Airport, please take note of the following procedure to be followed on arrival:

• 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).
• Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general baggage and 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 at which you arrive, they may need to escort you to the Office.

• Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this point proceed to customs).

• Upon receipt of the temporary import permit at the SAPS Firearm Office, proceed to Customs Red Zone, where you declare the firearm/s and complete   other customs clearance procedures.

• For those visitors who clear customs at any of the other international points of entry, please take note of the relevant information above which relates to   documentation requirements, etc.
  Please ensure that 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 that at least five (5) hours be set aside   for this procedure and between connecting flights.

3. Firearm / Ammunition Allowances and Specifications

• 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.

• 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.

• Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any visitor wanting to bring in a handgun for this purpose needs to have a   letter from an association in the country of origin, stating that the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.

4. Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into South Africa include:

a) Any fully automatic weapon
b) Any semi-automatic weapon
c) Handgun/s for self-defense
d) Weapons which fall under military categories

• 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.

General Provisions:

1. Temporary Import Permits may only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of hunting:

• Subject to the requirements of the Act with regards to the carrying, storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition.

• Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose as set out in the permit

• 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.

1.1 Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa, the firearm for which the permit is issued must accompany       the holder of the permit.

1.2 He may possess no more than the quantity of cartridges determined by the Registrar and specified on the permit for each firearm to which the       temporary import permit applies.
1.3 A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time * Applicant must be 21 or older.
1.4 Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import permit not be issued, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest on      departure from South Africa.

2. 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.

3. Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive on the same flight as you do. This must be arranged with the airline company upon 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    does/do not arrive with you, you must proceed to your 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 you. This Transport Agent must have a letter from you instructing him/her to          transport the firearm/s to you 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 you.

4. 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 pay the various airline staff, security staff, or     porters involved, are actually creating a problem. Please note however, that 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 firearms involved must be exported immediately by    the client or voluntarily surrendered to the State.

In Transit Passengers (Transiting South Africa)

• It is critical that you confirm with the airline/s involved, before departure, what their procedure is for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms.

• If the airline is transferring your baggage/firearms, and you have booked them through to the final destination, and you are waiting in the in-transit area   and are not going to clear South African customs, then you need not go through the temporary import process.

• If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/firearm/s to your connecting airline/flight, then you must collect your baggage/firearm/s and go   through the entire entry process. If this is the case, the South African limitations, requirements, etc. will apply.

• This also applies if you are staying over in South Africa before flying on to your country of destination.