I just received some shocking news from my Namibian taxidermist. My trophies are getting ready to ship and he emailed my final bill which included the transportation costs. I nearly fell off my chair on the excessively high transportation costs.

The trophies are packed in two wooden crates with a full mounted Leopard, shoulder mounts on a Springbok & Impala, one Jackal tanned skin, one Leopard skull and a European skull mounted Kudu. Totals 460 kg of chargeable freight. I asked for shipment into Baltimore for my pickup. The shipping costs came to $4008.00. My two previous hunts that involved more trophies, shipping costs never exceeded $2000.00.

I asked them to look into shipping by boat and they said the costs would be about the same. I am not convinced on this and will investigate further. I also requested the freight cost on shipping into JFK. This turns out to be the lowest cost bringing the total down to $3456.00 or $550 savings.

In my conversations with the taxidermist they did indicate there is some concerns about the higher cost and the affect it will place on their businesses. They have approached the airlines and NPHA for some preferential rates but so far has been unsuccessful. Maybe less shipments will help the issue!!!!!!

The taxidermist mentioned that Namibia had a 47% tariff adjustment in October 2003 and a similar one in RSA. This coupled with the appreciation of the Rand over the USD has come out with a 100% increase. So, you better look hard at which side of the pond you have your trophies mounted.

Would be interested in hearing from others on their Namibia trophy shipments over the past 4-6 months.

rslus

I'll let you know in a couple of months once my 45-70 has finished it's work!

C

Could it be the full body mount, as I understand air freight is not only by weight but also volume. Which ever yields the greatest tarrif is the method used. Just a guess.

DIJ:

You are correct it is based on weight and volume. They call it chargable weight. Since the shipment is two crates that measure 69" x 44" x 28" and 65" x 31" x 44", I am sure adds more to the volume side. Total weight is only 405#.

I am having it shipped into JFK for my pickup.

rslus- We would all be interested to track this. Do you know when these new fees came into effect? It would appear that the days of having work done in Africa are over. From our experiences, that is a shame. At the same time a potential boom for taxidermists in the USA. From my limited contacts there were a bunch of folks having work completeed over there.

crane:

the taxidermists in namibia said the 47% tariff increase went into effect last October 2003. He further stated that RSA had a similar increase with no specific date.

I am having the taxidermists in RSA I used for my last two trips checking out the status as well.

rslus

BTT

The taxidermists I used in RSA responded saying, "why they did not ship all trophies in one crate since there was not that many and would cut down on the volume". He quoted shipping the two crates from his location, Humansdorf, RSA, to JFK would cost $2277.59. That's about $1200 less but does not include the shipping from Windhoek, Namibia to RSA. I doubt it would cost $1200 for this leg. He also questioned the tariff increase as he had not heard about one in RSA. I guess the big drawback is the two crates and the volume it takes on the aircraft.

I still would like to hear from other hunters who had finished trophies shipped out of Windhoek to JFK or east coast.

Thanks,
rslus

After much checking with freight forwarders etc., I found the answer to get my shipping cost down to a reasonable amount. So, it pays to ask questions and check various sources out. My original freight cost was quoted at $4008 for two crates shipping from Windhoek to Baltimore,MD. Some of the high cost was based on the two inland flights, Windhoek to S. Africa & JFK to Baltimore. Changing the final destination to JFK, reduce my shipping cost to $3456. Still not satisfied with the cost, I asked why the trophies could not be packed into one crate hopefully reducing the cost some more. For several valid reasons this was not a valid option. Eventually, they explored the cost advantage of shipping to Germany from Windhoek and then to JFK which takes advantage of larger aircraft. This brought my shipping down to $2430 which is more in line. Now, after I get my Cites permit renewed, it will ship.

rslus

rslus- Do you still plan to clear them yourself at JFK.

Dulcinea

Yes sir.