An import/export permit is required for South Africa as well as Botswana. Firearms entering Botswana/South Africa without a valid permit, will be confiscated.
Two rifles and one shotgun are allowed into Botswana with a maximum of 100 rounds of ammunition each.
No handguns, semi automatic or military style firearms are permitted.
No permits are required for bows.
Soft bags are preferred especially if clients are making use of private air charters.
An import tax on ammunition is charged by customs upon arrival in Botswana, which is payable in cash only and in Pula or USD (approximately $1 per round).
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The Civil Aviation Authority of South Africa (SACAA) have agreed that Air Botswana may carry rifles on condition that the Airline will put an additional padlock on the gun case and which will be unlocked at Air Botswana destinations i.e Johannesburg, Maun, Kasane, Francistown and Gaborone. Air Botswana also charge a handling fee of ZAR 285 per firearm case each way.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
SAA have issued a directive on the transportation of sporting weapons and ammunition - as follows:
All sporting weapons must be packed and transported in an IATA approved lockable firearm case.
All firearms must be declared at the time of check in and must be handled via the designated firearm handling process.
It is advisable to place in the remarks section of the booking that the passenger is carrying sporting weapons and ammunition.
No more than two rifles per case per passenger - keeping in mind the firearms must be of a different caliber.
Ammunition must be packed in a lockable box with a key or box with TSA approved combination lock and placed in the checked luggage.
A maximum of 5kgs (11 lbs) of ammunition is allowed per firearm carrying passenger.
Please keep the above in mind when travelling on SAA or its code share partners within the SADAC states (Southern Africa).
Application for import/export permits of firearms into Botswana must be applied for on the applicable form and returned to the Outfitter well in advance. If you hunt in South Africa prior to your departure to Botswana you will need SA permits for your firearms as well. If you only fly via Johannesburg or spend a night before your connecting flight to Botswana you will only need an intransit permit.
Hunters' Support - Air2000 is a company who offers a service where they apply for the necessary firearm permits for South Africa in advance. We recommend to all our clients to make use of this service as this will make entry into the country with a rifle smooth and hassle free. Click here to visit their website www.hunterssupport.com
