U.S. CUSTOMS INFORMATION:

    Persons departing the U.S. for international destinations must have proof of ownership for firearms or other valuables.  Otherwise, you may have to pay duty on the item each time you bring it back into the U.S., unless you can prove that you owned it before you left on your trip. Documents that fully describe the item—such as sales receipts—are acceptable forms of proof.

    To make things easier, you can register certain items with CBP before you depart— including cameras, laptop computers and firearms—as long as they have serial numbers or other unique, permanent markings. Take the items to the nearest CBP office and request a Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad (CBP Form 4457). It shows that you had the items with you before leaving the United States and all items listed on it will be allowed duty-free entry. CBP officers must see the item you are registering in order to certify the certificate of registration. You can also register items with CBP at the international airport from which you’re departing as long as you have enough time in advance of your flight. This is a lifetime form for the owner listed so keep the certificate for future trips. Please see the link below for information on finding a CBP office near year and also their hours of operation.

    Note that the Form 4457 is not only requested upon re-entry into the U.S. but some countries such as South Africa are also requesting to see this as proof of ownership for your firearms.

    REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS (Form 4457) - Locate a US Customs Port of Entry Near You

    US CBP FORM 4457, Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad - View Form 4457

SOUTH AFRICA INFORMATION:

    SAFARI CONCIERGE - Pre-Approved Permit Services

    SAPS FORM 520 - Blank Firearm Permit Application

    SAPS FORM 520 COMPLETED - Completed Sample of SAPS 520

    SOUTH AFRICAN AIR - Firearm & Ammunition Policies

    SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE - www.saps.gov.za

 
NOTE: For a do-it-yourself permit it is recommended that you have photocopies of the following documents in hand on arrival into South Africa with your completed SAPS 520 application form:

NETHERLANDS INFORMATION:

    When passing through Amsterdam in transit to Africa for a safari, it is mandatory by the Dutch Customs to file a consent application form for each transit through the Netherlands if you are carrying rifles/weapons/ammunition. In most cases this means that two applications must be completed - one for the flights to Africa and one for the return flights back to the US.

Once you have completed the consent form you must fax (011-31-88-151-3182) it to the Customs Office in the Netherlands together with the following information:

*If you do not have either of these forms then you will need to include a letter from your local sheriff confirming you are the legal owner of the firearms.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing your application. When approved, a copy of the consent form will be faxed to you, which you should carry with your travel documents in case you are asked to present these forms at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. If you do not receive an approved copy then please take the documents that you faxed with you on your trip.

For further information you may contact the Customs Office in Groningen, the Netherlands at 011-31-88-151-2122.

    NETHERLANDS CONSENT FORM - Blank Consent Form

    NETHERLANDS CONSENT FORM COMPLETED - Completed Sample of Consent Form

NOTE: The sample form can be completed online by tabbing through the blanks and then printed in order to fax to the Netherlands.  This may save a great deal of time since you need an inbound and outbound completed application form and most of the information is duplicated.

THE FAX AND PHONE NUMBERS LISTED ON THE CONSENT APPLICATION ARE INCORRECT - PLEASE USE THE FAX AND PHONE NUMBERS LISTED ABOVE.