Clearing customs BNE-SIN-JNB-HAR

[albatross710]

F-I-L is heading off next week and we are deep into understanding the various transfer points that he will need to deal with. Seems to be some different messages about the transit in JNB.

He is traveling on an SQ *A redemption ticket. He will arrive into JNB on SQ and then onto SA to Harare.

Will he be clearing customs into 'Africa' at JNB and then another customs in Zimbabwe?

I was assuming his baggage would be checked from BNE-HAR. Some of the paperwork indicates that he'll be getting cleared in JNB. For instance, his letter of invitation to visit Zim is addressed to JNB airport.

Does anyone have any experience to share?

Alby

 

[browski]

SQ and SAA should have an interline agreement, so there is no real likelihood that he needs to clear customs in JNB. Not sure why your letter of invite into ZIM would be addressed to a South Africa, seems a mistake on the surface.

Although he will not require to clear customs, he should do so anyway. JNB airport has an extremely poor record of transferring luggage from one aircraft to another. So you should definitely look at checking your bags thru to JNB and then collecting them and clearing customs. Then just go an re-check them in for your Harare flight. If you cannot be bothered with the hassle then just check them thru and take the risk.

Finally, his bags should be locked, and preferably plastic wrapped to act as a deterrent for the theft from luggage that is commonplace at JNB.

 

[albatross710]

Thanks for the heads-up.