For Non-Republic of South Africa Residents:
The importance of the Trophy is of high importance to all staff and they are therefore well trained in all required field preparation. The hides are chemically preserved and tagged with your name and the transport to our local taxidermist is free. Any taxidermist costs will be covered by you, before any trophy can be transported to your choice of destination. Tholo Matimba Safaris will complete all required documentation and arrangements for your trophies to be safely transported to the taxidermist. The Taxidermist will complete all required documentation and arrangements for your trophies to be safely and legally exported. Tholo Matimba cannot be held responsible for your trophies or handling or mounting thereof once they have left our premises.
Importation of Firearms Every hunter needs to give a wish list of animals they want to hunt, so that we can assess if the chosen caliber is sufficient for the potential animals. Tholo Matimba Safaris will obtain all of the necessary hunting permits from local authorities.
The below paragraphs detail the rules and regulations on the importation of firearms. However, for your convenience Tholo Matimba offers a wide range of excellent firearms available for hire if you choose not to import your own firearm.
You must contact your local customs office and airlines prior to departure to get all necessary information applicable to exporting your firearm.
A minimum caliber of .270 is recommended and no semi-automatic firearms are permitted in South Africa. In the bush and at Tholo Matimba the average shot distance can be as little 25 yards and as great as 400 yards. It is recommended that all rifles be zeroed to accommodate this potential variance. You will have access to our rifle range on your arrival to re-zero your weapon if necessary.
We strongly recommend using the services of a rifle importation agent in SA for your convenience. The agent will send you all the relevant forms and personally meet you at the airport upon arrival to assist in the issuing of your Temporary Firearm Importing Permit. The Rifle Importation Agent will obtain all necessary weapon importation permits from local authorities.
Police Officials will issue a temporary import/export permit at no cost at port of entry. Legislation governing international flights demands that rifles and ammunition be transported in separate lockable cases. A soft case is recommended for day-to-day movement of your firearm during the safari.
Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes, will be asked to fill in a SAP 520-Temporary Import Application which can be downloaded at the SAPS Website. The form can also be filled out on arrival; however, this will increase your processing time at the Police Office.
Instructions for Filling in SAP 520 Form● Black ink must be used to fill in the form● The form must be left unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the actual permit● Please note that not all sections of the form apply. Visitors bringing in their own firearms 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● Passport● Return Airline Ticket
Other Supporting Documentation● Proof of Ownership● Firearm licences, documentary proof- US 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 from the client stating that he/she is temporarily importing the referred to firearm/s for the purposes of hunting, to include that the firearm/s are required as he will be hunting (list of species to be hunted)● Invitation Letter from Hunting Outfitter●  This is supporting documentation from the Hunting Outfitter/ Company with whom the client will be hunting to include full name of company, full contact details and address, dates and location where the client will be hunting and confirming that the applicant will be using the specific firearm/s as applied for.● Any other supporting documentation● Firearm/s will be physically inspected to ensure that the serial number/s match those of the licenses (proof of ownership) and the application form. Ammunition will also be inspected.
Procedure at Johannesburg International Airport● 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, 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.● Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this point proceed to customs). 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.● For those visitors clearing customs at any other international points of entry, please take note of the relevant information made above which relates to the documentation requirements, etc.● Please ensure 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.Firearm/Ammunition Allowances and Specifications●  No more than one firearm per caliber and 100 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 affixed in the prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm. Handguns will allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Semi-automatic handguns are prohibited. Revolvers will be allowed into South Africa, but only for hunting purposes. Any visitor wanting to bring in a handgun in this regard need to have a letter from an association in the country of origin, stating the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.Prohibited Firearms (may not be imported into South Africa)● Any fully automatic weapon● Any semi-automatic weapon● Handgun for self-defense● Weapon 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 Firearm Register with a motivation letter as to why this type of firearm is required.General Provisions- Temporary Import Permits● May only be issued to foreign visitors for the purpose of hunting● 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.● Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in the permit.● Subject to the fact that no person who holds a termporary 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.● 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.● 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● A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time● Applicant must be 21 years or older● Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made in advance to the Central Firearm Register. Ask you Hunting Outfitter to assist you in this regard.● 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 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.● 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 the handling of 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, 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.
● There is no permit required, nor any charge by the South African Police Service for a bow. Handling fees are charged by the airline and/or security companies for bows and handguns.
Please note that NO firearm 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.