Anyone else have any issues with Coppersmith lately? My taxidermist used them religiously but is now switching to Hunter International. Anyone have any issues with Hunter International?

Used Hunter they are great

AAZW,
I am currently using Hunter International to ship an Aoudad from USA to NZ. I have used them several times previously and they have always been excellent. On the ball getting documentation done, communicating well and happy to advise pricing. My NZ customs broker likes them too as he has far fewer headaches compared to other forwarders. I usually deal with Vanessa there but Maria is also very good to deal with.
I had apologies from Vanessa regarding my Aoudad shipment. She wasn't quite as prompt as usual due to a couple of other staff quitting, loading her with extra work. I think she has also been involved with training the replacements.

I much prefer HI to Coppersmith. Maria and her crew are top notch.

I use HI. Could not be happier, they have great communication and are fast to respond.

Thanks guys; I have used Coppersmith before, but the woman on point is unresponsive. Already had more communication with HI than her in a week.

Funny you should ask, I just finished up with Coppersmith TODAY on my trophies from Tholo in Botswana.

Communication from them was rough. Each time I got updates, it was because I asked for them. They finally reached out to me this morning for payment when my stuff was already on a truck heading for the taxidermist. When I did ask for updates, the replies were not clear or complete.

I don't plan on shipping a lot more stuff home, but I'll give someone else a try next time.

The lady that used to run the trophy clearing, at least at DFW, retired 10 years ago and she did fine work. I think her name was Donna or similar.

I have used Hunter International three times. The first time was a total screw up. They were asleep at the wheel and failed to pay a nominal cost bond on my shipment(unbeknownst to me). I subsequently received a letter from the USFWS informing me that I owed the USFWS a fine of nearly 5K! Needless to say, I went ape sh-t on Maria and she straightened it out and paid a reduced fine. However, when I subsequently applied for Global Entry, my application was denied because of the issue(even though it was not my fault-they stated that I was the principal and therefore ultimately responsible). I then had to file a lengthy written appeal with supporting documentation, which of course, Maria supported. After four months, my appeal was provisionally approved and I received Global Entry. Since then, I have used them twice and everything has been fine.

quote:

Since then, I have used them twice and everything has been fine.

Seriously? Sounds like the slow learner syndrome.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Anyone else have any issues with Coppersmith lately? My taxidermist used them religiously but is now switching to Hunter International. Anyone have any issues with Hunter International?

Funny you post this. I had a shipment from Tanzania last month. I was suppose to go Dar-Istanbul-LAX. The air-bill showed. Dar-Istanbul-JFK. I called Jim, asked him to help. (SW Wildlife)

Coppersmith said they couldn't find it. Meanwhile it was sitting in Customs storage in LAX. The air-bill had

CALL COPPERSMITH UPON ARRIVAL all over it. It finally get cleared and I had 1200.00 in storage.

I was the one who was driving the finding it issue. Coppersmith kept telling me they couldn't find it.

In any case the got Customs to drop half the fee's.

If I found it, why couldn't they?

I hear about this storage issue coming up more & more often. The first 6 times I shipped trophies from another country, no problem with that. This time, wound up paying storage.

Just like when you ship it out of an African country, everyone and their cousin has to slap an extra fee of some sort on that crate.

quote:

Originally posted by Baker458:
I hear about this storage issue coming up more & more often. The first 6 times I shipped trophies from another country, no problem with that. This time, wound up paying storage.

Just like when you ship it out of an African country, everyone and their cousin has to slap an extra fee of some sort on that crate.

I'm convinced its a planned event. They absolutely know its hunting trophies.

quote:

Seriously? Sounds like the slow learner syndrome.

Maria subsequently made me an offer that I couldn't refuse. Plus, San Francisco has been better than L.A. for moving my trophy shipments to Las Vegas.

One important thing to remember is to rescind the Power of Attorney you gave to the clearing house you no longer want to use. Otherwise, they will legally intercept the shipment.

George

Sounds like a crap shoot using either outfit!

I need to get some stuff back from Namibia this fall, never tried to do that before. All this stuff about the unreliability of brokers is un-nerving for a rookie...

I have never had a problem using Well Worldwide.

A couple of months ago, I had a TX client who shipped a large crate of trophies to his local Customs port of entry. Contained in this shipment was 3 CITES animals: Blue Duiker, Caracal lynx and Vervet Monkey. The shipper noting that his African CITES permit had only 12 days remaining, contacted Delta to inquire about delivery times. They were assured "your shipment will leave tomorrow, arrive in Atlanta next day, then be forwarded to its destination in TX." Okay, now arriving in Atlanta, it sat there for 10+ days before being flown to Texas; arriving at Customs/USF&W 2 days after the CITES had expired resulting in the 3 CITES animals being confiscated. My client received a nasty letter from USF&W that not only never mentioned an expired CITES, but accusing him of illegally importing "illegal" animals, violating multiple acts and calling him criminal! Upon hearing of this, I suggested he contact a well known attorney who specializes in hunting law/defense. My client was told the chances of ever seeing these animals was near zero but he would write a letter to the USF&W in his defense for $2,500. My client passed on the offer and reached out to social media. He was contacted by C&R Customs Brokers in Miami (www.crcustomsbrokers.com). They not only contacted the USF&W but pointed out their multiple mistakes and procured a solution to this fiasco. (F&W had refused a second CITES permit that was sent FedEx next day). After learning the details of this aggravating mess, I contacted Ryan at C&R and I can say, they are on top of things. Their clearance fee is very affordable, they charge no storage fees (they have their own warehouse) and are top notch when it comes to understanding import laws. I will be recommending these guys to anyone needing clearance whether it's Miami or other import facilities. LDK

I have used C&R in Miami several times. One reason they are great is because they are also hunters and understand.

Coppersmith is currently processing my shipment in Portland, Or. I will report at the end of the week on how it went.

I used Safari Specialist Importers last year for my shipment from South Africa. They did a great job and were on top of it at all times. I can highly recommend them.

Coppersmith has been very good in my opinion.

My last shipment of animals was delayed in Atlanta and as mentioned they wanted storage fees. Coppersmith was able to work with customs and the storage fees was dropped. It was Customs problem as they basically hid my crated. Coppersmith tracked the crate down and customs then found it and sent it on it way. Customs cited a shortage of help that resulted in the delay.

Well Worldwide here too.

I used Coppersmith several times, the last time being several years ago. Their attitude was arrogant in all communications. Despite their attitude, they're not the only game in town.

Coppersmith through Chicago has been great for me.

Used Coppersmith in Chicago in 2017 and didn’t have an issue, Michael Lewis was the POC.

My brother had his shipment from Zim (plains game and a baboon) cleared through Coppersmith earlier this year.

I have two crates in the shipping process: plains game and baboon in one crate and a second crate with a leopard, buff and additional plains game coming through Chicago as soon as South Africa issues a transit permit as the crates are in Zim.

Will report back if there are any issues.

THE REASON YOU'RE HEARING MORE ABOUT STORAGE .... USDA HAS ENFORCED AN OLD RULE. ALL RUMINANT AMINALS MUST GO TO A USDA APPROVED WEARHOUSE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A USDA APPROVED WEARHOUSE IT GET CLEARED AT THE AIRPORT THAT'S WERE THE CHARGES START.

quote:

Originally posted by Baker458:
I hear about this storage issue coming up more & more often. The first 6 times I shipped trophies from another country, no problem with that. This time, wound up paying storage.

Just like when you ship it out of an African country, everyone and their cousin has to slap an extra fee of some sort on that crate.

I have no idea what a "wearhouse" is. Warehouse, yes. "Wearhouse", no.

Right keys wrong order...

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
I have no idea what a "wearhouse" is. Warehouse, yes. "Wearhouse", no.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari Specialty Importers:
Right keys wrong order...

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
I have no idea what a "wearhouse" is. Warehouse, yes. "Wearhouse", no.

The caps lock get stuck also?

Are you saying that the importer has to have a USA approved warehouse? If you pick it up the day that it arrives why would it need warehousing?

You can't pick up on the day they arrive. They have to clear USDA, Customs, F&WL CDC before you can get your shipment.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari Specialty Importers:
Right keys wrong order...

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
I have no idea what a "wearhouse" is. Warehouse, yes. "Wearhouse", no.

The caps lock get stuck also?

Are you saying that the importer has to have a USA approved warehouse? If you pick it up the day that it arrives why would it need warehousing?

I used Safari Specialty Importers last year as well, and had zero issues getting our trophies in a timely and painless manner. It's nice dealing with only one point of contact that takes care of the entire process on your behalf. It's priceless.

Picked up my shipment. 814.32 included one Cites permit. Professional and easy. No complaints at all. Will use Coppersmith again.

Coppersmith (Michael Lewis) cleared my trophies in Chicago today. Shipment included a leopard, buffalo, baboons, an assortment of smaller cats and plains game in the shipment but no pigs.

This clearance was for two crates from two different hunts in Zimbabwe last summer/fall.

Trophies arrived the afternoon of 11 July via Turkish Airlines and were cleared today the 22nd.

I did pay $95 in storage charges. Total cost was $1042.36