Directive from Qatar Air
The season is starting slowly but surely.
We are finding several visitors are travelling on Qatar Air and not adhering to their regulations for the carriage of Sporting weapons.
I attach the updated requirements recently published by Qatar. Please ensure you are getting the correct clearances and have a copy of your pre-issued firearm permit for landing in South Africa.
Qatar will deny you boarding if you don’t have a copy of the permit. Keep in mind the permit is issued from your date of arrival into SA and only valid in South Africa.
You can use an emailed copy for travel to prove you have an original permit waiting in SA which you get after arrival.
Please read the directive from Qatar …
Can I carry firearms, weapons and ammunition in my baggage when travelling on Qatar Airways flights or when travelling on another airline flight and connecting to a Qatar Airways flight?
Firearms, weapons and ammunition for hunting and sporting purposes may be accepted as checked baggage in accordance with our Regulations but will not be permitted in the cabin. Firearms, weapons and ammunition other than for hunting and sporting purposes are prohibited from carriage as baggage. Carriage of ammunition is subject to ICAO and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives, and similar items may be accepted as checked baggage, in accordance with our Regulations Notification and clearance from the airline is required before transporting sports weapons and ammunition as cargo or checked baggage - can be permitted.
Passengers travelling with other airlines which connect with flights operated by Qatar Airways should declare any firearms, weapons or ammunition upon reaching the Qatar Airways transfer desk, check-in counter or boarding gate. The appropriate import and export licenses must be presented to the airline prior to travel.
Please ensure all weapons are unloaded, securely and appropriately packed. Firearms must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and be suitably packed. Sports ammunition (in divisions 1.4S, UN 0012 or UN 0014 only) is limited to a maximum of 5 kg per passenger.