Africa - International Transfers at JNB - ?Customs?

Hi,
I'm wondering, if I have a layover at JNB and am booked on a SAA flight am I required to clear customs just to make it to my next international flight?

For instance, if I wanted to travel from Botswana to Namibia via JNB on SAA would I need to get my passport stamped upon arrival at JNB?

I am going to be traveling quite a bit in Africa and would like to use JNB as a hub for many of my layovers, but I don't want to be taking up 2 pages each time I pass through.

I will not have any luggage.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Flyertalk, liamfm. I am moving your thread to the Africa Forum for discussion. (Travel & Dining>Destination: The World>Africa).
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I suspect you don't need to be stamped in and clear customs if you are in transit between two other countries (not sure though, so others might be able to advise). If you are travelling from Windhoek to JNB to CPT then you will need to clear customs in JNB and recheck your bags.

Unless you need a visa, the South African authorities will give you a half page sticker on arrival which allows you to come and go as you please. Then you get small square and round stamps on each entry and exit. You won't go through many pages, even if you do land.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/3063319553_fdfdcb354d.jpg

Thanks for showing how this worked for you - that makes my job a lot easier.

We won't be stopping in JNB, just passing through, so chances of going through customs are 50/50 (until someone else chimes in), but I'm glad to see that if we do have to clear customs it won't take ANOTHER 2 pages.

Thanks again.

Thanks for showing how this worked for you - that makes my job a lot easier.

We won't be stopping in JNB, just passing through, so chances of going through customs are 50/50 (until someone else chimes in), but I'm glad to see that if we do have to clear customs it won't take ANOTHER 2 pages.

Thanks again.

Please don't confuse CUSTOMS (where they check if you are bringing unauthorised goods into the country) and IMMIGRATION (where they check or stamp your passport / visa), although in this case the answer is that you will go to an International transit desk and straight back into the departures are and should not need to pass through either customs or immigration.

Please don't confuse CUSTOMS (where they check if you are bringing unauthorised goods into the country) and IMMIGRATION (where they check or stamp your passport / visa), although in this case the answer is that you will go to an International transit desk and straight back into the departures are and should not need to pass through either customs or immigration.

Great point. Customs and Immigration are indeed different beasts though at JNB both are non issues best I can tell. I went through both yesterday with no issue at all (they do take your temperature now before allowing you to step up to the immigration desk btw). I have Russian colleagues arriving from London today transiting with no checked bags to a SAA flight to Lusaka. I'll note their journey and try to post back what their step by step journey is. I think it will be arrive, transit, check in for the future flight and head to the gate. No customs and no security. If that varies I'll report back.

no security.Last time I transited at JNB there was.

Johan

Last time I transited at JNB there was.

Johan

Right you are:

When transiting, you...
Land
Go through immigration
Enter the transit area
Get boarding pass for your onward flight (if less than 3 hours before your flight)
Pass through security (though you don't need your onward boarding pass to get through)
Proceed to departure area

Very easy set up they have there. Made my first trip to Africa memorable for some very unexpected reasons (like sanity of movement).

JNB is relatively easy for international transit, IIRC 60 minute minimum connection time. (I issued tickets yesterday that were 65 minutes and didn't have a problem.)

Does anyone know minimum transit time when booked on separate airlines and tickets (i.e., arriving on SAA and departing on Air Bots? (I'm guessing the minimum transit time of 60 minutes may assume you're on the same ticket and therefore already checked in for your connecting flight)

Thanks!

I am also intersted in minimum connection times and transit. We are considering a British Airways ticket to VFA from JNB in August - will be arriving a 9:45am on an Air France flight and the BA flight departs at 11:25am. Does Air France and British Airways have a baggage check agreement? Would love to get out of JNB withouth having to stay overnight and leave the next day.

Look here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-discussion/277938-mileage-runs-turnarounds-turnabouts-transits-experiences-please.html

JNB is relatively easy for international transit, IIRC 60 minute minimum connection time. (I issued tickets yesterday that were 65 minutes and didn't have a problem.)

Just to offer a contrary example - I just transited thru JNB this week.

SAA IAD-JNB transferring to SAA JNB-WND

With exactly 1 hr connect time - arr 1705 dep 1805. When I checked in at IAD they wouldn't (couldn't) issue my WND BP - perhaps because I was actually ticketed as the UA code-share flight.

So we land at JNB about 5 min late. Of course, we get put in remote parking. I was in C so right off the plane, on the bus to the terminal. Did have to go thru an Immigration check (they stamped my passport) and show up at the SAA Premium transfer desk at 1725 - 40 min before flight. The guy at the desk picks up and calls and asks "Can we take any more for 078 (my flight #)? Answer comes back "no" - he looks at me and shrugs and says "sorry". Well I did not want to spend the night in JNB (I knew if was the last WND flight) and I raised a minor ruckus ;). Finally a lady heard me - the main thing I was saying was that I was full-fare C pax (true) and how could they a) not know I was coming in on 208, and b) it was still 40 min before the flight and their rules are to be at gate at 20 min. They tried to say the flight closes at 1 hr. I then said - "then you sold me a ticket that was physically impossible to check-in on-time (unless the flight arrived 20+ min early).

Well finally the lady goes back, calls, comes and gives me my BP and says - run!!

Well I made the gate, they take me out on the bus, to the plane sitting right next to the A340-600 I got off!! Of course ,my bag, although checked thru w/ priority tags, did not make the flight. They did deliver 1st thing next day.

I have had previous problems with SAA transfers - so just my advice would be get 90 min+ connect times (if possible)...YMMV

A cautionary tale, indeed!

This part intrigues me:
Did have to go thru an Immigration check (they stamped my passport)... Why would they need to stamp your passport?

Because he didn't manage to get his boarding pass for the Johannesburg - Windhoek segment in IAD

Because he didn't manage to get his boarding pass for the Johannesburg - Windhoek segment in IAD

That does not necessarily explain it. In many (most?) airports, there is a transfer desk airside where they will issue you your onward BP without going through immigration. I have never done an Int. transfer at JNB, so I dont know if such a facility exists. If it does not, it surely should!

That does not necessarily explain it. In many (most?) airports, there is a transfer desk airside where they will issue you your onward BP without going through immigration. I have never done an Int. transfer at JNB, so I dont know if such a facility exists. If it does not, it surely should!Welcome back, thijsseh!

There is one. I have used it when I was travelling from JNB via LHR to DUB. I foolishly forgot to check in for the second leg and only remembered when I was in the lounge. (Yes, I know, pretty stupid. :o) Anyhow... I was taken to the transfer desk and they promptly issued the onward boarding pass.

Welcome back, thijsseh!



Yes, Cheetah_SA, I have mostly been on the KL board. Have made a few CPT/AMS's. Now for the confession: 'in Y' :td:.
Retirement is great, but you suddenly have to pay for travel out of your own pocket. And at the same time, that pocket is not as well filled as it used to be, especially when you want to make multiple trips....
But, to be honest, the lack of stress makes up for it :D.
Maybe we should meet at the Waterfront one of these days (I can still afford a drink and even lunch ;) ), I can tell you why the fascination with AMS.

That does not necessarily explain it. In many (most?) airports, there is a transfer desk airside where they will issue you your onward BP without going through immigration. I have never done an Int. transfer at JNB, so I dont know if such a facility exists. If it does not, it surely should!

Sorry for the late response to this question, forgot to check/follow-up on this thread - yes, this was a shock to me as well. I had previously transited thru JNB without this - maybe something new with the airport configuration?

I arrived via bus from the aircraft (as I had in the past) - they used to drop off right out side the transfer desk area (about mid-terminal). You just went straight in to the transfer desk.

Now the bus drops you at the end of the terminal (I want to say near the bus gates ~A15-A24 - something like that). You enter the terminal and the signs point towards Int'l transfers. You walk & walk (maybe 250M) and then they have immigration desks blocking the hall. You must (or are supposed) show passport & boarding pass. As I did not have mine - they just asked what flight I arrived on, and where I was connecting to.

And they definitely stamped my passport - the stamp says "Transit". Then walk another 100 M or so to the transfer desks.

I came thru 1 week later on another cnx WDH-JNB-LBV, with a boarding pass this time, and it was the same drill, including stamping the passport with the "Transit" stamp.

Just FYI...

Well, that's interesting, rwm818!
As far as I understand, you went through some sort of (I'll get back to the 'some sort' later) immigration ONCE. Now normally, immigration 'checks you into (or out of) the country'. That therefore means that for an Int to Int transfer you would have to pass through immigration TWICE (once IN and once OUT). So maybe this 'sort of' immigration is not 'real' (or the 'transit' stamp sort of counts for two maybe?). Did the immigration officer ask any of the usual questions (how long are you staying, have you got a return ticket, that sort of thing). One would also (for instance) wonder if they check for a visa (for those who hail from a country with a visa requirement for South Africa). Anyone got that experience?

Just wondering if the transfer desks in the international connections area can accept checked luggage?

I will be coming off SA 204 from JFK in C (therefore can have two carry-ons) connecting onto SA 40 in Y to VFA, so was planning on only checking the 2nd bag once I get to JNB. I imagine this would have to be done in the connections area... is this possible at the transfer desk?

My brother would be in a similar situation arriving on BA in Y from LHR (can have a carry-on plus personal item) and then connecting to SA 40 in Y to VFA (one carry-on only). So he would also be looking to check the 2nd bag at the transfer desk.

Any thoughts?

As far as I understand, you went through some sort of (I'll get back to the 'some sort' later) immigration ONCE. Now normally, immigration 'checks you into (or out of) the country'. That therefore means that for an Int to Int transfer you would have to pass through immigration TWICE (once IN and once OUT). So maybe this 'sort of' immigration is not 'real' (or the 'transit' stamp sort of counts for two maybe?). Did the immigration officer ask any of the usual questions (how long are you staying, have you got a return ticket, that sort of thing).

I went through twice in August (different days - not twice on the same day). They stamp your passport with a stamp that says both "transit" and "exit". You get no entry stamp when you are transiting. I was asked how long I was staying and where I was headed.

To those who asked, I am not positive, but do not believe you can check baggage at the transit desks. There is no conveyor belt there and I noticed no area for receiving luggage. I also don't think it is generally a problem to have two carry ons on SA, even though their site says otherwise.

Hi everyone, greetings from a Flyertalk newbie :-)

I'm looking at options to fly from Europe to MRU on *A flights, and one of them (other than Condor direct from FRA) is LH FRA to JNB, then SA to MRU. Now, the South African immigration is a critical issue for me, as I am required to have a visa to enter South Africa.

I asked my local South African embassy, but they were not helpful at all, and just gave me instructions on how to obtain a visitor's visa (which is ~50 Euro per person, and 5 days w/o passport). Apparently South Africa issues Transit visas only if you're transiting to one of the *neighbouring* countries.

However, if I fly into JNB, I'd stay there only for a few hours, and I have no intentions to enter South Africa. Can anyone confirm if I will have problems at the "strange" immigration (which just stamps "Transit" in your passport) if I don't have a visa, and just want to go from the terminal into the transit/Int'l departures area?

Thanks a bunch!

Hi hdogan. Welcome to FT!

Assuming you are a German citizen, Timatic gives the following information for transit in RSA en route to Mauritius:

South Africa (ZA)

VISA NOT REQUIRED.

TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
- Note: limited hotel accommodation is available in the
transit area of O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Advance notice of an overnight stay is required.
Additional Information:
- Visitors must hold return or onward tickets, sufficient
means of support, entry documents required for their next
destination and valid passport, bearing visa if applicable.
Passengers arriving without a return or onward ticket will
be required to pay a refundable deposit in lieu of ticket.
Failure or inability to pay this deposit will result in
entry being refused.
Warning:
- Non-compliance with all entry requirements will result in
fines for: For details, click here

Hi Cheetah_SA,

Thanks a lot for that information! Actually, I am a citizen of Croatia - does it make any difference?

[EDIT: Ignore this, I looked it up myself ; apologies for being lazy in the first place :) ]

Just wondering if the transfer desks in the international connections area can accept checked luggage?

I will be coming off SA 204 from JFK in C (therefore can have two carry-ons) connecting onto SA 40 in Y to VFA, so was planning on only checking the 2nd bag once I get to JNB. I imagine this would have to be done in the connections area... is this possible at the transfer desk?

My brother would be in a similar situation arriving on BA in Y from LHR (can have a carry-on plus personal item) and then connecting to SA 40 in Y to VFA (one carry-on only). So he would also be looking to check the 2nd bag at the transfer desk.

Any thoughts?
In September 2010, we flew LHR-JNB-LVI on BA in FC. My g/f had 2 carry-ons. One was quite a large carry-on which was fine for the 747 from LHR-JNB in FC but not for the smaller JNB-LVI. We did not check it in at at the x-fer desk in JNB. BA took the 2nd bag at the boarding stairs to the plane in JNB.

Hope that helps.

Sorry to bump this old thread but it's sort of relevant.

I have to transfer from a KQ flight from NBO to the Comair flight to VFA in JNB at 10:30am on a Wednesday.

Unfortunately, my agent has left me with 1 hour exactly to make the flight. From reading comments here, this sounds like an impossible task, especially if I have go through baggage claim, check in again (since I'm not interlining) and immigration (which sounds like I do from reading the comments so far).

Is 1 hour overly ambitious? Should I just plan for this not happening and arrange for an overnight hotel? I'd really like my checked bag to make it with me.

Thanks in advance.

Sorry to bump this old thread but it's sort of relevant.

I have to transfer from a KQ flight from NBO to the Comair flight to VFA in JNB at 10:30am on a Wednesday.

Unfortunately, my agent has left me with 1 hour exactly to make the flight. From reading comments here, this sounds like an impossible task, especially if I have go through baggage claim, check in again (since I'm not interlining) and immigration (which sounds like I do from reading the comments so far).

Is 1 hour overly ambitious? Should I just plan for this not happening and arrange for an overnight hotel? I'd really like my checked bag to make it with me.

Thanks in advance.

Looks very dicy to me. Even when on seperate tickets, some airlines can / will label luggage through for you, in which case it might just be possible. But since you probably cannot count on that in this case and you want your checked luggage to come with you (a VERY wise thing in JNB), the safe option seems to be the overnight stop as there are no connections the same day :td:.

Hi all, sorry to bump such an old thread up but it seemed the most relevant place for my question. Tomorrow I'm flying on SAA from JFK to JNB; arriving at 8:35 AM and need to catch another SAA flight on to LLW (Malawi) at 10 AM. I will have one carry on with me and since I'm on SAA the whole way my checked luggage should be tagged to go all the way to Lilongwe when I drop it off at JFK. I will be departing from Terminal B at JNB for the flight to LLW; my tickets are unclear about which terminal my flight from JFK arrives at. I already have my boarding passes for both flights printed; do you think that 1 hour 25 mins will be sufficient to make my connection? From what the previous posts say, it sounds like I just need to dash to the international transit desk, show my passport and boarding pass, and continue on to my gate. Is that correct or do I need to wait in line at customs or immigration at some point as well?

I did JFK-JNB-VFA back in Sept of last year. When you arrive at JNB you need to go to the international transit area (as you mentioned). There is a desk where they look at your passport and stamp it with a transit stamp. There could be a short line here (few people in front of me when I arrived at the same time). You don't need to go through customs. Then you need to go through security again (once again short line of a few people) and proceed to your gate.

90min should be plenty if your flights arrive/depart ontime. The only thing I would caution is that if i recall correctly it's a bit of a walk from the arrival gate to the immigration / security checkpoint and back to the gates, so if you are a slow walker, etc just be aware of that. Maybe 10-12min walk total at a normal pace.

Tomorrow I'm flying on SAA from JFK to JNB; arriving at 8:35 AM and need to catch another SAA flight on to LLW (Malawi) at 10 AM. I will have one carry on with me and since I'm on SAA the whole way my checked luggage should be tagged to go all the way to Lilongwe when I drop it off at JFK. I will be departing from Terminal B at JNB for the flight to LLW; my tickets are unclear about which terminal my flight from JFK arrives at. I already have my boarding passes for both flights printed; do you think that 1 hour 25 mins will be sufficient to make my connection? From what the previous posts say, it sounds like I just need to dash to the international transit desk, show my passport and boarding pass, and continue on to my gate. Is that correct or do I need to wait in line at customs or immigration at some point as well?

SAA uses the same terminal at JNB for all international flights. When you exit from the JFK flight, look for the signs that say "International transfer" (or maybe International Transit), and follow that sign. You'll go through a passport check (but not immigration control) and a security check, and you'll then be in the departure area of the international terminal. Find and head to your departure gate for Lilongwe, and you'll be set.

The whole procedure is not likely to take more than 15-20 minutes after you get off the plane from JFK (or possibly 30 mins, if you are parked at a bus gate).

Sorry to bump this thread but I didn't think it really warranted a new one.

I'm not entirely sure how it works at this airport. I have a flight from LHR to VFA going via Johannesberg. I want to take a sum of money with me that is higher than the amount that South Africa allows you to bring into the country. Am I correct that as I won't actually be leaving the airport, that I can just ignore that and take above the amount?

Sorry to bump this thread but I didn't think it really warranted a new one.

I'm not entirely sure how it works at this airport. I have a flight from LHR to VFA going via Johannesberg. I want to take a sum of money with me that is higher than the amount that South Africa allows you to bring into the country. Am I correct that as I won't actually be leaving the airport, that I can just ignore that and take above the amount?

No, you will not be leaving the airport and I don't believe you'll have a stop for customs either. You will go through security though so mind how you pack/store/protect/hide said wad of money.

Reviving the thread.

I will go SA MPM-JNB-FRA-VIE on Aug 13.

Now, MPM-JNB, same terminal, 1h10 connection time.
Will it suffice?

I had a terrible experience last week, flying MPM-JNB on TM and my one bag of 10kg that needed to be checked-in (no more than 7Kg in TM for handluggage...) just disappeared nowhere to be seen again...

Compensation.. yeah right :)

Yes, 70 min. is enough in JNB for international connections.

Just want to confirm the experience mentioned at the beginning of this thread concerning the passport pages. You only need 2 per each entry permit granted? I am flying JFK-JNB-MRU on SAA and may be flying MRU-JNB on BA and then JNB-CPT on SAA. In that scenario, I would only need two pages for South Africa right?

Also, if in that scenario, I have 1h20m between MRU and CPT in JNB...is that pushing it even if I have no checked baggage? Can I check in for JNB-CPT online? That's more or less my only option at this point that is within my budget, so I might just dump Mauritius off my trip and do something else or buy a separate open jaw ticket to Namibia, which is cheaper than the one way MRU-JNB-CPT anyhow.

Just want to confirm the experience mentioned at the beginning of this thread concerning the passport pages. You only need 2 per each entry permit granted? I am flying JFK-JNB-MRU on SAA and may be flying MRU-JNB on BA and then JNB-CPT on SAA. In that scenario, I would only need two pages for South Africa right?

Yes, the stamps you get in these days do not even cover half a page as shown on the picture, but the two-pages-rule for South Africa is vigorously enforced at boarding points all over the world.


Also, if in that scenario, I have 1h20m between MRU and CPT in JNB...is that pushing it even if I have no checked baggage? Can I check in for JNB-CPT online? That's more or less my only option at this point that is within my budget, so I might just dump Mauritius off my trip and do something else or buy a separate open jaw ticket to Namibia, which is cheaper than the one way MRU-JNB-CPT anyhow.

1h 20m with hand luggage only is ok. You can check-in online for JNB-CPT and print the BP 24 h before departure.

I am flying from Nelspruit-JNB on Jan 1 and arrive JNB about 6pm and next day at 2pm fly on SAA to Lagos- so less than 24 hrs in Johannesburg. Will I be able to check in and check my bags for my JNB-Lagos flight on Jan 2 when I arrive on Jan 1?

I am flying from Nelspruit-JNB on Jan 1 and arrive JNB about 6pm and next day at 2pm fly on SAA to Lagos- so less than 24 hrs in Johannesburg. Will I be able to check in and check my bags for my JNB-Lagos flight on Jan 2 when I arrive on Jan 1?

It might be possible in theory, but checking bags overnight in JNB is definitely not recommended! A friend of mine had her baggage delayed 24 hours when connecting in JNB, it was opened in JNB and random things were missing, you'll find many similar reports here on FT.

It might be possible in theory, but checking bags overnight in JNB is definitely not recommended! A friend of mine had her baggage delayed 24 hours when connecting in JNB, it was opened in JNB and random things were missing, you'll find many similar reports here on FT.

I completely agree. The less time your luggage spends in the innards of JNB, the better!

I completely agree. The less time your luggage spends in the innards of JNB, the better!

+1

We will be transferring in JNB on our way to ACC, and have something like 8 hours (9a - 5p) to spare there. Should we get out of the airport to see/do something? Since we are technically "transferring", I assume we don't need to worry about luggage? We don't need visa to get in, so that shouldn't be an issue (unless it takes forever to get in and then out of immigration). Any thoughts?

8 hours are too long to stay at the airport, you could take the Gautrain to Sandton and spend the time there.

Yes, the stamps you get in these days do not even cover half a page as shown on the picture, but the two-pages-rule for South Africa is vigorously enforced at boarding points all over the world.



1h 20m with hand luggage only is ok. You can check-in online for JNB-CPT and print the BP 24 h before departure.

Cool, thanks...and I need to specifically look for the international transfers area and not follow the people who are terminating in Johannesburg, correct? Does SAA have mobile boarding passes available for JNB-CPT?

Cool, thanks...and I need to specifically look for the international transfers area and not follow the people who are terminating in Johannesburg, correct?
No, coming from MRU and going to CPT, you'll need to clear immigration and customs in JNB. Once outside the secure area, go to domestic flights in terminal B.

Cool, thanks...and I need to specifically look for the international transfers area and not follow the people who are terminating in Johannesburg, correct?
No, coming from MRU and going to CPT, you'll need to clear immigration and customs in JNB. Once outside the secure area, go to domestic flights in terminal B.

I'm looking at FRA-JNB-VFA options. FRA-JNB will be on LH. One option is 35 minute connection to SAA flight (so I imagine bags would be ok). Other option is 70 minute connection to BA flight. I think the longer connection is safer and worth the extra miles, but not sure if we'd have to get our bags and check-in again. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice.

If I'm not mistaken, the minimum international-international connection time at JNB is 60 minutes.

Johan

We have IST-JNB-LVI and we only have 1 hour to connect

We did have 2 hours but they changed the IST-JNB to take off later.

We called aeroplan and they have said that it is a legal connection so we can't change our flights.

I contacted the person who has booked our safari and he says that we have to land, clear customs, pick up bags and go to our flight which could take 2 hours.
He is convinced we won't make the connection and the next flight to LVI is the next day.

Is he right?
Will we miss our connection?
Do we have to clear customs and pick up our bags?
For international wouldn't the bags get checked through?

thanks

Take a look at this (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/africa/1341419-guide-connecting-jnb.html) thread, RockoHorse.

I contacted the person who has booked our safari and he says that we have to land, clear customs, pick up bags and go to our flight which could take 2 hours.
He is convinced we won't make the connection and the next flight to LVI is the next day.

Is he right?


No, he's completely wrong. As it is an international transit, the bags will be checked through, you just follow the signs for international transfers. 60 minutes for international transfers is possible.