To prepare your South African temporary firearm import or in-transit permit application, please provide the documents listed below. Preparing clear, accurate documents in advance helps avoid delays in the permit process and on arrival in South Africa.
Please ensure all documents are clear and legible and that your name, passport information, firearm details and serial numbers are consistent across every document.
Where a notarized copy is required, the notarization should confirm that the copy is a true and unaltered copy of the original document.
Do not mail original passports, firearm documents or other original documentation to TWG.Travel unless specifically requested. When you are ready to submit your documents, use the secure upload section below to send clear copies of all required documentation.
The South African Police Service accepts only one rifle of each caliber per applicant.Do not submit an application listing two rifles of the same caliber for the same traveler. If you will be traveling with more than one rifle, each rifle must be a different caliber.This requirement applies whether you are hunting in South Africa or only transiting through South Africa with firearms.Before submitting your documents, confirm that the firearm make, model, caliber and serial number are identical on your CBP Form 4457, outfitter’s invitation letter, SAPS 520 application and all other supporting documents.If you are unsure whether your firearms meet these requirements, contact TWG.Travel before completing or submitting the application.
Please prepare each of the following documents. Your TWG.travel email will confirm which permit service provider is handling your application and provide instructions for securely submitting your documents.
Provide a clear copy of the photograph/information page of your passport.
The copy must be notarized as a true copy of the original. Make sure the photograph, full name, passport number, date of birth, issue date and expiration date are clearly visible.
Provide a copy of your CBP Form 4457 showing each firearm you will be traveling with.
For the South Africa permit process handled through TWG.travel, the Form 4457 should be signed and stamped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the year of travel, and a notarized copy of the completed form should be submitted with your permit documents.
The CBP Form 4457 officially registers personal effects that you are taking outside the United States. For our South African firearm permit applications, it also provides the documentation used to establish your possession of the firearm before departure.
A letter of invitation is required as part of the firearm permit application.
If you are hunting in South Africa, the letter should be issued by your South African outfitter.
If you are only transiting through South Africa with firearms, the letter should be issued by the outfitter in the country where you will be hunting.
The letter should be on the outfitter’s letterhead and should include:
Important: The firearm information shown on the invitation letter must match the information on your Customs Form 4457, SAPS 520 application and supporting firearm documentation.
A signed mandate letter authorizes the South African permit service provider to submit and manage the firearm permit application on your behalf.
TWG.travel will advise which service provider is handling your application. Only complete the mandate letter for the provider identified in your email.
Important: Download the mandate letter to your computer and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader before completing and signing it. Do not complete the form in your web browser, as some form fields and signature functions may not work correctly.
Complete and sign the SAPS 520 application for your temporary firearm import or in-transit permit.
TWG.travel has created a step-by-step guide and fillable SAPS 520 form to help you complete the application correctly. Follow the instructions carefully, particularly the sections dealing with firearm serial numbers, travel dates and signatures.
TWG.travel recommends that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay and contain at least two blank visa pages.
Although South Africa’s published minimum validity requirement is generally 30 days beyond your intended visit, many hunting itineraries include additional countries with different passport requirements. Six months validity helps avoid problems with onward travel.
Health and vaccination recommendations can vary depending on where you will be traveling in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa. Review the current CDC Travelers’ Health information before departure and discuss any personal medical requirements with your healthcare provider.
International hunting trips involve significant advance costs and travel to remote destinations. We strongly recommend reviewing travel protection options that may provide coverage for eligible trip cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, evacuation, delays and baggage-related events.
Coverage, exclusions and eligibility vary by policy. Review the applicable policy terms before purchasing.
The information below applies to U.S. passport holders traveling for tourism. Visa and entry requirements can change without notice. Always verify the current requirements using the official government links provided before travel.
U.S. passport holders require a visa to enter Namibia. Namibia offers a Visa on Arrival, and travelers may apply online in advance through the official Namibia Ministry of Home Affairs portal.
U.S. passport holders traveling for eligible tourism or business visits of up to 30 days may use Mozambique’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The application should be completed online before travel.
U.S. passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. U.S. citizens traveling for tourism are required to apply for a Multiple Entry Visa through Tanzania’s official Electronic Visa Application System.
U.S. passport holders require a visa for Uganda. The visa application must be completed online and travelers must receive their Visa Approval/Travel Authorization before travel.
U.S. passport holders require a visa to enter Zimbabwe but do not have to obtain it before travel. A visa may be obtained on arrival, or travelers may apply in advance through Zimbabwe’s official eVisa system.
South Africa: U.S. passport holders do not require a visa for tourism or holiday visits of 90 days or less.
Zambia: U.S. passport holders do not require a visa for eligible tourist visits and may generally stay for up to 90 days in a 12-month period.
Traveling through Johannesburg with firearms involves additional procedures. Optional assistance can be arranged to make arrival, departure and connecting formalities easier.
Meet and greet at the top of the jetway with assistance through immigration and customs procedures.
From $150 for up to 4 travelers
Meet and assist in the international or domestic terminal on your return. Assistance includes the firearm clearance process and check-in for your onward flight.
From $60 per person
Lounge access can be arranged in Johannesburg for eligible itineraries.
From $50 per person
Services are subject to availability and prices may vary. Contact TWG.travel if you would like any of these services added to your arrangements.
If you are unsure which documents you need, which mandate letter to complete or whether your paperwork is acceptable, contact TWG.travel before submitting your documents. It is much easier to correct an issue before the permit application is submitted.
