This is totally true.

I was detained at the airport in Nairobi back in 1980 due to a problem w/ my visa. the visa itself was good for 3 months but when questioned upon arrival, I'd answered "1 week". Then Mobutu shut down all flights into Zaire/Congo. I was able to scam a seat on a missionary plane violating the ban and the Kenyans had no problem with THAT, but tried to massage me over the overstay!

Then, in Zaire, I was held under house arrest for 3 days due to the illegal entry. {Yup, I was an "illegal alien!"}.

In 1988 going thru Heathrow I was told to remove the bolt on my .375 and pack that in my carry-on baggage, NOT with the rifle in its case. Then when being searched, later, all hell broke loose when a security genius picked up the bolt and asked what it was. I answered truthfully, adding that I'd been told to pack it in my carry on. The mental giant then fondled it a bit and...holding it by the bolt handle with the locking lug portion pointing away...declared it a gun and called for the police to arrest me! I protested as you can imagine {understatement....} and demanded that someone who had actually ever seen or handled a gun would be called and eventually, after much wrangling, some security guy who'd been in the Briths Army showed up and he and I had a big laugh while he dressed down the individuals who were demanding I head straight to gaol!

Bringing guns into South Africa in 1988 and 1989, all I got at customs was a compliment on my .375, a short yap about hunting and a good luck with the hunt. Left customs feeling like the officer was my older brother.

Leaving out more...all that to say I do not know the answer to your question OP but I'd be very careful if it was me and I'd take RIPP's comment to heart. Box of chocolates, you never know, etc...