Heading to Africa…what rifle do I take?

[Hydra6]

I got conflicting information about travel internationally with a suppressor from the ATF. Therefore, I errored on the side of caution, applied for and obtain permission with ATF via Form 5320.20. Most countries, unlike the USA, could care less.

I believe the issue is coming back to the US and not leaving the US - the TSA wants the documents to bring your rifle back into the US. I am happy to see people taking suppressors to Africa then back into the US. I was told that TSA would impound the US citizen owned suppressor upon reentry into the US. Adding it as a line item on the ATF document must be the ticket.

 

[PlumberEd]

The funny thing was when we returned the CBP didn't want to see any paperwork or nothing about the suppressor. The only thing they wanted to see was the rifles and paper work.

 

[BigDon]

I believe the issue is coming back to the US and not leaving the US - the TSA wants the documents to bring your rifle back into the US. I am happy to see people taking suppressors to Africa then back into the US. I was told that TSA would impound the US citizen owned suppressor upon reentry into the US. Adding it as a line item on the ATF document must be the ticket.

Exactly. The form is the only proof that they accept that you bought it here and took it out of the country - and that you didn't buy it out of the country and try to sneak it in. I think a simple 4457 form would have covered you with the suppressor.

For all of you readers considering traveling out of the country to hunt, you need to be VERY aware of this, from the cbp.gov site:

"Hunters who plan to travel with their licensed firearms must obtain a Customs and Border Protection Form 4457, Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. This form provides the traveler with a document that lists articles that will be taken out of the country so they won't be charged duties on these items upon return to the United States. This form is in addition to any import, export, or sportsman's licenses that may be required in the destination country.

"This form allows a CBP officer to verify that the traveler has that property in their possession while they're exiting the United States," Ehrlich explained."

Also know that this form will cover you for expensive watches, jewelry, cameras and other high value items. They profile actively for this type of stuff. It's also a felony if you get caught actually lying on the form.

It's also a pain to execute the form, since you have to present the items for listing on the form to CBP before you leave. This way you can't create the declaration - and then buy the item outside of the country and try to cover it with the form. Cute - eh??

 

[TontoDean]

Be sure that your suppressor is in your gun case with copies of your paperwork. DO NOT
put it in your carry-on! They consider it part of the gun and not an accessory. Cost me a fine of $2,100 when returning from Alaska. Some things you learn the hard way.......

Either of the Noslers would work. Take the one you shoot the best.

 

[Hydra6]

It's also a pain to execute the form, since you have to present the items for listing on the form to CBP before you leave. This way you can't create the declaration - and then buy the item outside of the country and try to cover it with the form. Cute - eh??

I ended up renting rifle but got the CBP 4457 filled out for my rifle before I went. PITA. I live in GA and flew out of Atlanta. Had to make special trip to Atlanta airport to meet with CBP to get the form filled out. Typical government bureaucrats "do not give a crap" customer service attitude. When I finally got called up to the bullet proof window to speak to an agent, they panicked when I told them I need to fill out a 4457 to take a rifle out of country and back. Quickly told not to bring the rifle out of my car. I filled out the form with serial numbers and they signed and registered into a log without seeing my rifle.

 

[asd9055]

I ended up renting rifle but got the CBP 4457 filled out for my rifle before I went. PITA. I live in GA and flew out of Atlanta. Had to make special trip to Atlanta airport to meet with CBP to get the form filled out. Typical government bureaucrats "do not give a crap" customer service attitude. When I finally got called up to the bullet proof window to speak to an agent, they panicked when I told them I need to fill out a 4457 to take a rifle out of country and back. Quickly told not to bring the rifle out of my car. I filled out the form with serial numbers and they signed and registered into a log without seeing my rifle.

Thats strange. The CBP office in Houston had bring the rifles in the office to confirm the serial numbers. That was 10 years ago though. And I put the serial numbers of the scopes as well just in case. It was not in the airport though, it was a regional office in another building.

Aslo, at that time, I was warned to be carfull flying through Europe, some countries "might not allow my rifles to travel through" even though they would be at the posession of the arilines the hole time. So, I flew on Delta fromHouston to Atlanta and then direct to Joburg.

 

[yukonal]

Rather impressive, indeed.

1800# Eland at 202 yards. 284 Win with 180 Bergers.