Folks I just got my breakdown on fees for my latest trophy shipment. This is the African side only so there will still be additional charges. Thought some might like to see it.

Mike, please see costing breakdown below. All in US Dollars.



Airfreight: 928.-

Documentation: 50.-

Carr. Collection Fee FCC: 45.-

AWB Fee and Cartage AWA: 74.80

Fuel Surch./SW. Handl. CSC: 98.60

MAA VET Inspection: 118.19

MUC Alfa Fee: 81.-

IPPC Wood Treatment: 65.-

Insurance Cover for USD 15,000 75.-

TOTAL: 1,535.59


This is for the following trophies:

aardvark
aardwolf
caracal
genet
impala
gemsbok
eland
dik dik
elepnt tusks 55 lb ea

That sounds on the high side for the trophies you are shipping, unless this is completed taxidermy, in which case it sounds cheap.

In 2007 I shipped the skulls and horns four gemsbok, three kudus, seven springbok, one red hartebeest, one black wildebeest, two warthogs, a baboon, and the green capes of one oryx and two kudus in a total of three boxes for about that same price. The shocker came when I paid the import agent's fees in Houston, which were about as much as the airfreight just for setting the boxes on their dock. It was the domestic, not the foreign, handlers who screwed me.

Mike I got screwed by Pam in Nam. $2000 in shipping fees and no ins.

Taxidermist charges something like 875 for cardboard boxes. After I threatened to post pics
he did refund me 500. I had missing trophies and damaged tusks. Pam did nothing but offer
me 300.00 us

Den of theives in Nam.
Good luck

This dosnt include the dip and pack fees from the taxidermist. That was about $70.00 each. That was high as well in my book. I have never paid more than 50 or 55 before for several shipments. We will see what kind shape everything is in when it gets here.

I went to Namibia in June 2008 and my trophies arrived in August 2009. It seems like the shipping cost were VERY high also!

It seems like they are taking full advantage because of the influx of hunters going there imo.

If I ever make it back, it's only trophy shots for me

It's hard to justify the cost especially nowadays when $$$$$ are difficult to come by for the average joe like me.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Smith:
This dosnt include the dip and pack fees from the taxidermist. That was about $70.00 each. That was high as well in my book. I have never paid more than 50 or 55 before for several shipments. We will see what kind shape everything is in when it gets here.

mine did not either. I don't see whey you cannot get other quotes. SOME shipping agents and SOME taxidermist are just crooks. Only been to Nam. twice only shipped back once.
I got screwed. I like late-bloomer's idea

Mike, it seems to me this is the kind of thing people are running into more often. Remember the time years ago (in the 90's) when your whole shipment of hides and skulls would cost about $300? Now the shipping agents want in on the action. Now $3000 is more common. I know that for me it has impacted my safari hunting. One Taxidermy and shipping agent in Namibia, Manfred Eggerer, threatened to sell off all my trophies just because there was a delay on receiving the tusks from Caprivi. The various animals and tusks had not all arrived from the field to his shop in a timely manner. I learned at that moment that there are some in Namibia who are not to be trusted. It would be a great service if AR had a list of AR approved agents we could refer to. Thanks. Bill

Bill 5248 is on the right path. It seems to me that African Hunters need to form some type of Co-op for packing, shipping, and import clearance. The problem is most hunters are one or two time shippers so the agents feel "at will" in screwing you. While not every country would lend itself to the Co-op idea, I suspect Namibia and South Africa are prime locales for this type of service. Not easy, but it has been done before for other businesses.

Guys,

Actual shipping charges have gone way up over the last few years and he does have 110 pounds of ivory in that shipment, so I don't think it is totally out of line. That doesn't mean it doesn't suck, but it is in line with what I've been seeing the last couple of years.

Well Guys let me share my experience with everyone.

I've had incredible service, I hunt with Omujeve Safaris, who use Reiser Taxidermy. Wilko at Reiser is the point man, and he answers my emails very quickly. I think the dip and pack fees are fair, depending on species less than 100 for skull/horns/hides. And it's all done in 90 days.

Each of my shipments, and friends who have gone with have had trophies back in Texas, in less than 120 days from departure from the trip.

They use, IFN as the shipper. Which now offers ocean transport to Flora and Fauna, shipped and cleared, and shipped via truck to Dallas, $1300. IFN does a great job!

Airfreight is not unreasonable as it is based on volume as well as weight. It is all the fees that get added on. It almost doubles the bill. As to the dip pack we will see what kind of job Wilko did when everything arrives. I still say 70 is high and that is experience from shipping several times. This whole thing has taken almost 1 1/2 years to sort out so I am not real happy to begin with. A big f up with the cites people et all. I will be happy if everything is in good shape. There is still another part to this shipment. I will decide how to proceed on that after this arrives and I can inspect it. Why everything didnt come together is another story.

Mike,

The tab is stiff compared to a few years ago. Those little extra charges for starters weren't really there a few years ago and are what makes it a bitter pill to swallow.
Popularity of Namibia as a hunting destination has seen a general increase in costs, there are a number of "new" outfitters, taxidermists, shipping agents (specialising in trophies) and hunting guides/ph's. Ranchers want more for their game, value of conservancy tenders have increased and we all know the last government auctions set record prices.
I am not defending anyone here and remind folks that the increased cost of fuel has hurt. We all know that when fuel goes up everything else does as well.
In 08 the fuel price went up 6 times in 6 months, then we had the economic crisis later in the year. We've had two fuel price hikes since November of last year as well.

Jeff h,

quote:

Mike I got screwed by Pam in Nam. $2000 in shipping fees and no ins.

Taxidermist charges something like 875 for cardboard boxes. After I threatened to post pics
he did refund me 500. I had missing trophies and damaged tusks. Pam did nothing but offer
me 300.00 us

Den of theives in Nam.
Good luc

"Den of thieves" is a little broad don't you think?

Jeff h,

quote:

Mike I got screwed by Pam in Nam. $2000 in shipping fees and no ins.

Taxidermist charges something like 875 for cardboard boxes. After I threatened to post pics
he did refund me 500. I had missing trophies and damaged tusks. Pam did nothing but offer
me 300.00 us

Den of theives in Nam.
Good luc

"Den of thieves" is a little broad don't you
think?[/QUOTE]

Vaughn. yea it likely was. you know I am still a little sore from that shafting I got.
Hope you and the girls are well.
Take care