So I'm heading for my first hunting trip to South Africa in May. I'm flying out of Calgary with Air Canada and into Heathrow airport. Then British Airways from London to Cape Town. Looks like I'll be landing and coming into terminal 3 from the Air Canada flight, and departing from Terminal 5 on B.A. flight for Cape Town. I have about an 11 hour layover at Heathrow. I was wondering if anyone knows if my luggage / firearm will stay in transit for that time. I would think that I don't want to handle my rifle in London at all to move it from terminal to terminal without that being a problem and needing more permits. Any thoughts and experiences you have had on this and would like to share would be much appreciated. I would like this first trip to go as smooth as possible. As far as Canadian export permits, I have those. I'm working on getting all my info together for Air2000 to help with getting my import permits right now. I think you also have to contact British Airways 72 hours before departing to let them know that you are travelling with a firearm.
Flying to South Africa through London
- Thread starter Chris P.
- Start date
Contact the airline or your travel agent to ensure your luggage stays "in transit" and you'll be fine. We've flown through London without issue but have always ensured luggage would be checked right through to final destination and remain "in transit" An internet messageboard is definitely not the place to get confirmation on this. Make sure you check your bag tags when you check in as well to ensure they are checked right through. It's not uncommon for an airline agent to screw up on that.
Just make sure that at Calgary Airport when they check your rifle through security that after they close your gun case, they actually put on your destination label and then send it down the chute.....I left Calgary one time and they sent the rifle case down the chute without attaching the destination tag and it sat at the bottom of that chute while we were in another Canadian city trying to convince the staff that we did check in a rifle. They claimed we did not until we pulled out the $50 receipt for checking in the rifle and then they went..."oops"...and found it still sitting at the bottom of the chute..in Calgary....
Why dont you search for a few guys who have done the Safari thing already and send them a PM with some questions you have and ask for any tips they may have.
Not that there has been no advice here , but those guys would likely be a lot more help-full.
Have fun on the Dark Continent.
Rob
Not that there has been no advice here , but those guys would likely be a lot more help-full.
Have fun on the Dark Continent.
Rob
Based on my experiences, the longer the layover, the higher the chance of having a luggage screw up on a connecting flight.
11 hours is a long PITA layover. Consider a day room at Heathrow. If not, be sure to change your watch to the local GMT and then set an alarm a half hour before your flight starts boarding. Trust me it is easy to fall asleep on a long layover.
11 hours is a long PITA layover. Consider a day room at Heathrow. If not, be sure to change your watch to the local GMT and then set an alarm a half hour before your flight starts boarding. Trust me it is easy to fall asleep on a long layover.
Having ammo in the same case as the rifle is against Air Canada regulations. You should also pull the bolts on your rifles. I wrap mine in bubble wrap and tape them to the sling. Make sure you have your PAL with you too.
DO NOT rely on your travel agent, you must contact both airlines personally and inform them 90 days in advance that you will have a firearm. BA is very firearm unfriendly in my experience, you must first be approved by them to transit a firearm with them which takes several days to a couple weeks. Under no circumstances put your ammo with your rifle, they come utterly unglued about that. My last trip they made me take my ammo from my suitcase (AC) and forced me to send it as a separate bag which they then charged me $300.00 for, oh ya and BA will charge you 50 British pounds just to handle your firearm IF they deem you worthy of using their airline with a rifle.
Do you have your SAP 520 form for entry into SA?
You may not travel with more than 5Kgs of ammo, and this includes the weight of the enclosure which I found out after a rather long, heated discussion.........they're still wrong but you can't convince them of it. My argument was that their own regs very specifically say 5 Kgs of AMMO, it does not say an enclosure containing ammo cannot weigh more than 5 Kgs......regardless make sure your ammo enclosure locks, does not weigh more than 5 Kgs and duct tape it closed, if they open it to inspect it demand they retape it as you had it.
You must stand your ground when dealing with the various people you will meet who may go out of their way to f**k up your hunt. If you are getting the run around, demand to speak to their superior, go to every check in 3 hours in advance, and have lots of room on your visa and have 1000 USD on your person. If you are taking a rifle which you once had registered before this nonsense was cancelled here, and you have retained your old registration, take it with your papers, it makes things go much smoother. Most countries and/or airlines do not believe there are still countries where ALL guns aren't registered, the Brits particularly, so if you have your old registration, by all means take it, it just makes life easier.
Be diplomatic but firm, and go to the appropriate sites, and learn the rules. They change almost monthly, so seriously, do your homework and know what you are talking about, and don't let anyone try to f**k you over. My last trip through SA they or Air Canada would not allow ammo to be in your clothing checked bag. Make certain that your outfitter is going to have someone there to meet you at Jo'burg, and if for any reason you have a flight change, make sure you have a number to alert your outfitter. If not and your permit is not there when you arrive they will seize your rifle. You should have a copy of your SAP 520 on you before you embark on this adventure so if their rep doesn't show up at the airport (and it does happen) you won't get your gun seized.
It is NOT easy travelling with firearms, and DO NOT listen to anyone who tells you it is, it can be, but my last 5 trips have not been and it wasn't because of a lack of due diligence on my part, it's because hunting has become exceptionally unpopular with the masses and many will go out of their way to make your transit as difficult as possible.
I'm not trying to scare you, just prepare you for what can and may happen and it has happened to me. I spent 3 hours in an interrogation room in Inchon Korea with 2 very large, well dressed Korean gentlemen working for their national police force, trying to explain why I was in Korea with a rifle, which is forbidden under Korean law. All my papers were in order, but even though they spoke perfect English, it took me 2 1/2 hrs to realize they didn't READ a word of English !!!! I will be more astute next time.
Make absolutely certain that your rifle and ammo has made any airline changes and connections that you have to do. Demand at the check in that they confirm with their baggage handlers that your cases have in fact, been loaded into your airplane and get their names and write them down as having confirmed it. They won't like it, but it is your right and when you take names and write them down it is amazing how things seem to work out for the best...........someone with a name is now responsible...........it works!!! Plausible deniability goes out the window and you can name names and point fingers and they know it.
Lastly you absolutely MUST personally contact all airlines you will be travelling on, with a rifle, I said it before and it is crucial, they will inform you of their rules and procedures and it will make the whole experience a lot smoother. They also put notes with your reservation so everyone is aware and there should be no surprises. Being prepared and informed is your best possible advantage when travelling with firearms.
Do you have your SAP 520 form for entry into SA?
You may not travel with more than 5Kgs of ammo, and this includes the weight of the enclosure which I found out after a rather long, heated discussion.........they're still wrong but you can't convince them of it. My argument was that their own regs very specifically say 5 Kgs of AMMO, it does not say an enclosure containing ammo cannot weigh more than 5 Kgs......regardless make sure your ammo enclosure locks, does not weigh more than 5 Kgs and duct tape it closed, if they open it to inspect it demand they retape it as you had it.
You must stand your ground when dealing with the various people you will meet who may go out of their way to f**k up your hunt. If you are getting the run around, demand to speak to their superior, go to every check in 3 hours in advance, and have lots of room on your visa and have 1000 USD on your person. If you are taking a rifle which you once had registered before this nonsense was cancelled here, and you have retained your old registration, take it with your papers, it makes things go much smoother. Most countries and/or airlines do not believe there are still countries where ALL guns aren't registered, the Brits particularly, so if you have your old registration, by all means take it, it just makes life easier.
Be diplomatic but firm, and go to the appropriate sites, and learn the rules. They change almost monthly, so seriously, do your homework and know what you are talking about, and don't let anyone try to f**k you over. My last trip through SA they or Air Canada would not allow ammo to be in your clothing checked bag. Make certain that your outfitter is going to have someone there to meet you at Jo'burg, and if for any reason you have a flight change, make sure you have a number to alert your outfitter. If not and your permit is not there when you arrive they will seize your rifle. You should have a copy of your SAP 520 on you before you embark on this adventure so if their rep doesn't show up at the airport (and it does happen) you won't get your gun seized.
It is NOT easy travelling with firearms, and DO NOT listen to anyone who tells you it is, it can be, but my last 5 trips have not been and it wasn't because of a lack of due diligence on my part, it's because hunting has become exceptionally unpopular with the masses and many will go out of their way to make your transit as difficult as possible.
I'm not trying to scare you, just prepare you for what can and may happen and it has happened to me. I spent 3 hours in an interrogation room in Inchon Korea with 2 very large, well dressed Korean gentlemen working for their national police force, trying to explain why I was in Korea with a rifle, which is forbidden under Korean law. All my papers were in order, but even though they spoke perfect English, it took me 2 1/2 hrs to realize they didn't READ a word of English !!!! I will be more astute next time.
Make absolutely certain that your rifle and ammo has made any airline changes and connections that you have to do. Demand at the check in that they confirm with their baggage handlers that your cases have in fact, been loaded into your airplane and get their names and write them down as having confirmed it. They won't like it, but it is your right and when you take names and write them down it is amazing how things seem to work out for the best...........someone with a name is now responsible...........it works!!! Plausible deniability goes out the window and you can name names and point fingers and they know it.
Lastly you absolutely MUST personally contact all airlines you will be travelling on, with a rifle, I said it before and it is crucial, they will inform you of their rules and procedures and it will make the whole experience a lot smoother. They also put notes with your reservation so everyone is aware and there should be no surprises. Being prepared and informed is your best possible advantage when travelling with firearms.
Sounds like you need a better travel agent c-fbmi. Ours is an absolute expert when booking trips with firearms but she works with loads of overseas hunters. I suspect a regular travel agent may not be as well versed. She looks after notifying airlines at proper times and provides us with documentation. We've got a great visa service now too that we use when visas are required in advance. Both these wonderful ladies make life very simple.
Air2000 is a good service in South Africa.....they take all of the stress out of importing firearms. They are well worth the cost in my opinion. I've never had issues with my ammo in my clothes bag so long as it was in a locked container but I guess there's always a first. I've never been asked for a copy of a registration certificate although we did supply Air2000 with copies of our Canadian temporary export permits. Having a few hundred extra U.S. dollars is never a bad idea for sure but make sure you've got lots of $10s and $20s. A few bucks goes a long ways with the guys handling your baggage in South Africa. I've honestly never had a bad experience anywhere in the world travelling with firearms but no doubt my day will come. From my experience in May, South Africa was very simple through Air2000. Air Canada will ding you an extra $100 for the rifles and I'm sure BA will on the way home too but you should only have to pay it once each direction.
Great advice c-fbmi about familiarizing yourself with each airlines firearm regulations as they all seem to be different.
Air2000 is a good service in South Africa.....they take all of the stress out of importing firearms. They are well worth the cost in my opinion. I've never had issues with my ammo in my clothes bag so long as it was in a locked container but I guess there's always a first. I've never been asked for a copy of a registration certificate although we did supply Air2000 with copies of our Canadian temporary export permits. Having a few hundred extra U.S. dollars is never a bad idea for sure but make sure you've got lots of $10s and $20s. A few bucks goes a long ways with the guys handling your baggage in South Africa. I've honestly never had a bad experience anywhere in the world travelling with firearms but no doubt my day will come. From my experience in May, South Africa was very simple through Air2000. Air Canada will ding you an extra $100 for the rifles and I'm sure BA will on the way home too but you should only have to pay it once each direction.
Great advice c-fbmi about familiarizing yourself with each airlines firearm regulations as they all seem to be different.
I gave up using travel agents, Sheep, that way when I do it myself, I know it's done right !!! Poor paper work hasn't been my problem, it's others interpretations of regulations that has caused grief.....like the 5Kgs of ammo. It's been people not showing up when they're supposed to and anti hunting people in the airline industry.
OP.... You shouldn't have any grief going into SA if you have your SAP 520, most of my problems have been in far less civilized areas of the planet. But do be careful with British Airways as they are very anti-gun in my experience and will go out of their way to make life difficult. Just make sure you have crossed all your "Ts" and dotted all your "Is" when dealing with them. Oh and don't forget to have fun and enjoy yourself.............and above all "Illegitimus non carborundum"
Sheep, you also appear to have a much more benevolent face than I, I suspect that helps a lot too !!!! LOL I seem to attract the surly anti-gun customs and airline cows !!!
OP.... You shouldn't have any grief going into SA if you have your SAP 520, most of my problems have been in far less civilized areas of the planet. But do be careful with British Airways as they are very anti-gun in my experience and will go out of their way to make life difficult. Just make sure you have crossed all your "Ts" and dotted all your "Is" when dealing with them. Oh and don't forget to have fun and enjoy yourself.............and above all "Illegitimus non carborundum"
Sheep, you also appear to have a much more benevolent face than I, I suspect that helps a lot too !!!! LOL I seem to attract the surly anti-gun customs and airline cows !!!
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as Doug said BA is a very strange matter for that ...
even with an European firearm passport you have to ask them the permission to have your firearms with you and 90 days is really the minimum.
about ammo outside or with the bags the ICAO as a standard but then companies set up their own rules and depending sometimes on the agent at the desk.
always remember that even if you have been granted the access for your firearms the Captain is the last one to say his words and there is some company that don't need to pushed too far to stop carrying firearms : BAW is one of those. London if you need to transit is one of the worst airport to be with gun ... did I say Heathrow is not gun friendly ... im talking about 8 years ago and I think it s nicer now ....
even with an European firearm passport you have to ask them the permission to have your firearms with you and 90 days is really the minimum.
about ammo outside or with the bags the ICAO as a standard but then companies set up their own rules and depending sometimes on the agent at the desk.
always remember that even if you have been granted the access for your firearms the Captain is the last one to say his words and there is some company that don't need to pushed too far to stop carrying firearms : BAW is one of those. London if you need to transit is one of the worst airport to be with gun ... did I say Heathrow is not gun friendly ... im talking about 8 years ago and I think it s nicer now ....
LOL...perhaps. I'm sure my day will come. We've had some minor issues in South Africa, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan but it's never been serious and nothing a couple strategically placed $100 bills couldn't fix.
You got it Sheep, I don't have a problem with areas where a couple strategically placed Ben Franklin permits work wonders, it's the other ones that scare me like Britain and Korea where BF permits DON"T work, and even mentioning them could land my a$$ in hot water !!! I understand graft and corruption in third world countries, it's the antigun cows in our more civilized countries I can't seem to get around, what with all their misplaced morals and ethics. LOL
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
No No No!!! Never with the rifle.. Always in with your clothes.
Too bad you're flying with the Brits. They're full-value arseholes. To get to RSA you're better served flying through Frankfurt. Fat lot of good that nugget does you now.
As Douglas says, be polite but firm and know the regulations and policies for both the countries and airports you transit back to front and you'll be fine.
Enjoy the hunt.
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