To follow when temporarily importing firearms into South Africa through the Firearm Office at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport.

The Basic Regulations for a temporary Import or In Transit Permit for all foreign hunters hunting in South-Africa are as follows:

• No more than ONE firearm or shotgun per caliber or gauge.
• Only 200 rounds for each permitted firearm or shotgun will be allowed.
• You may only bring two shotguns if they are different gauges.
• Ammunition must be packed in a separate lockable box/case and placed in your checked luggage.
• No ammunition for other firearms (caliber or gauge) is permitted, in other words, do not try and bring ammunition for your PH’s rifle.
• 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, the frame or the receiver of the firearm.
• Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any foreign visitor wanting to bring a handgun into the country, needs to produce a letter from a registered association of his/her country of origin, stating that he/she is a registered member of the association, and that the handgun will be used exclusively for hunting purposes.
• Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into South Africa, includes:      
•       Any fully automatic weapon
•       Any semi-automatic weapon
•       No semi-automatic shotguns
•       Handgun(s) for self-defense
•       Weapons which fall under military categories

There are, however, certain circumstances under which the Central Firearms registry in South Africa will allow the importation of such weapons for hunting purposes. Please contact us at henry@riflepermits.com for more information and we will kindly assist you.

The Basic General Conditions under which a permit will be issued:

• A Temporary Import Permit may only be issued to a foreign visitor for Hunting Purposes.
• A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time.
• A Temporary Import Permit will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act regarding the carrying, storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition.
• Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import permit not issued, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest if detected.
• 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.
• An applicant must be 21 years old, or over. There is however a possibility that applications may be approved for applicants younger than 21 years. Please contact us for further information and requirements.
• Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa, the firearm in respect of which the permit was issued must accompany the holder of the permit.
• A Temporary Import Permit will be issued subject to the sole use of the firearm, only for the purposes as set out in the permit.
• A Temporary Import Permit will be issued 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 from the Central Firearms Register

SAPS 520 Application Form:

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1. Open the Application Form in PDF
2. Print a Copy of the Application Form
3. Complete according to instructions
4. Click Here to open the SAPS 520 Application Form