Zimbabwe
Limits:
• There is no limit on the number of firearms a hunter may import into Zimbabwe for hunting
purposes.
• Handguns are allowed for hunting on private land and communal/tribal land but not on
government concessions. A special permit is necessary from the general director of the
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA).
• Black powder rifles are allowed with a minimum caliber .40 for hunting purposes. Contact your
safari operator well in advance about ordering black power and percussion caps for you as these
items are illegal to transport on commercial airlines.
• No automatic or semi-automatic firearms are allowed, except a semi-automatic shotgun for bird
hunting purposes. No military-style weapons.
• Compound bows are allowed, but no crossbows, recurves or longbows are allowed. Your
operator will need to apply for a special permit for a compound bow.
• A maximum of one hundred (100) rounds of ammunition may be imported per hunting rifle.
(Remember that airlines will restrict you to no more than 11 pounds or 5 kilos of ammunition.
Check additional restrictions for your airlines and any country you may transit)
• Only ammunition for the specific caliber(s) you are bringing may be imported.
Fees:
• There is no fee for a firearm permit for rifles or shotguns.
• The cost for a bowhunting permit is $1,500 for dangerous game; $100 for plains game.
• The cost for a handgun permit is $1,500.
Timeframe:
• Application for a temporary firearm import permit for Zimbabwe can be made on arrival at the
port of entry.
• For a handgun permit, your safari operator will need to submit an application on your behalf at
least two (2) months ahead of your safari.
• For a bow permit, your safari operator will need to start your application process six (6) months
prior to your safari.
Requirements:
For Long Guns
Complete a Visitor’s Certificate to Possess Firearms and Ammunition Form F.R. 20 (LINK TO PDF) in
triplicate. (Two are for Zimbabwean authorities. One is for yourself.) If you print it out ahead of time,
leave them unsigned until you present them to Zimbabwean Customs. You may also fill it out upon
arrival in Zimbabwe. Your safari operator does not need a copy.
You will need to provide the following information:
• Personal information – full name, date of birth, occupation, home address
• Passport number, place and date of issue
• Contact address in Zimbabwe (your operator’s contact info)
• Firearm and ammunition details: type, caliber, make, model, number of rounds
For Bows and Handguns
Your safari operator will handle your application and will need to apply for you on his letterhead. As
above he will need your:
• Personal information – full name, date of birth, occupation, home address
• Passport number, place and date of issue
Your operator will need to submit that and the following to the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife
Authority:
• Area/s to be hunted
• Tourism Receipts Accounting System (TRAS) 2 number
• PH full name and license number
• Receipt number and amount paid
• A signed authority letter from the landowner giving permission for the hunt to take place on his
land. This letter must include the clients details as well as the TRAS 2 number and PH name and
number.
• Copy of the receipt for special permit
• Copy of hunting permit and quota for land that is to be hunted on.
• Copy of PH license
Clearing Your Firearms:
The application form must be submitted upon entry while declaring your firearm(s) and ammunition in
the Customs office at the airport, where your temporary import/export permit will be issued.
Upon departing Zimbabwe, you will need to give your original copy of the firearms certificate to a
Customs officer, proving that you are taking the firearm(s) back out of the country.
To Clear a Handgun or Bow
The Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association (ZPHGA) advises that you have your safari
operator send you a copy of your bow or handgun permit, and for him to meet you at your point of
entry to present the original. It is crucial that your operator have the permit issued prior to your safari.
Tips on Flying to Zimbabwe and the Firearms Embargo
An embargo on firearms to Zimbabwe by the European Union, the UK and Canada has been in effect
since 2004 due to the political situation in that country. The embargo includes firearms and ammunition
for hunting purposes. No European airline will carry firearms to Zimbabwe, and The Netherlands will not
issue transit permits for firearms going to Zimbabwe.
If you are flying from Canada, the UK or a European Union country, or you are connecting to a flight in
Europe to Africa, you MUST have your tickets booked on separate itineraries. One itinerary should show
Johannesburg, South Africa, or other destination in Africa as your final destination. The second itinerary
is for your onward flight to Zimbabwe.
A Warning on Transiting South Africa
If you fly into South Africa, you will need to complete the firearm import procedure and clear your
firearms in South Africa before checking them onto your flight to Zimbabwe. There is no possible
interline handling of firearms in this situation. You will need to comply with South African restrictions on
the number of guns (a maximum of four firearms) and amount of ammunition you may travel with. See
our section on South Africa (LINK TO SOUTH AFRICA SECTION) for details on getting a transit permit.
Also, if you fly through the Netherlands, you must provide South Africa (or other stopover destination)
as your final destination and NOT Zimbabwe or you will not be issued a transit permit for your firearms.
