I've read that a lot of people have had issues getting trophies back from Zim; that it's taken 2+ years in some cases. When that happens, where has the hold up been? Has it taken the safari company an extended time to dip and pack the shipments, or has the delay been getting things through Zim customs?

I just received word that all of my trophies have been packed and are ready for shipment. I'm trying to figure out if that means that I should be expecting them in the next couple of months or couple of years! Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Pete

Pete,

If you were notified by the shipping company, tropphies should be in less then a month...
If you were notified by your safair company it still may take a few months...

Mike

I'm in the same position you're in. My buffalo is supposedly on its way. I paid the shipping last week. If it arrives in thirty days I'll be satisfied. That would make it ten months after the kill.

what i'm being told is that the central bank task force has gone into several safari outfits and grabbed all their books for an audit. they are supposed to be doing this because they are broke and looking for money. the books aren't computerized or anything, just thrown into a box and god only knows when anything gets done. I'm waiting for and ele, bushbuck, klippy etc. for going on 3 years now. have my doubts that i'll ever see them. bill have been all paid, but govt. won't release until the audit (bribes?) are complete

Guys, if I may suggest a few things: Find out who has physical possession of your trophies. The Outfitter, Taxidermist or Exporter? Some Outfitters do their own dip/pack. To expand upon this, once game is caped or skinned, it should be fleshed and salted. Competent skinners are careful with this process and skilled at "turning" the eyes, nose, ears and lips. This amounts to complete fleshing of all delicate parts, or at least inverting the ears, splitting the inner thick flesh of the lips, and removing any fat or heavy tissue around the nose and eyes. This allows proper penetration of the salt, which deters bacteria and prevents spoilage. Next, the skulls must be boiled in order to remove all tissue and horns. All items should be properly tagged at that point. Next, the capes/skins will be disinfected. There are several modern methods but can vary from country to country, Outfitter to Taxidermist. Once all disinfecting is complete, they should be packed in treated wood (our new law requires this for entry into the US. Untreated wood may contain pests that we do not want entering the US). Then crates are ready to move to an Expediter or shipping agent. If you find out who has possession of your trophies, it is easier to work on getting them home. Letting them sit around for years is not a good thing. Too many problems can arise. Dry, salted skins/capes (are called "flint" stage) can be affected by moisture (rot) rodents (they like to eat the nose, eyes and lip tissue and salted is a treat) and the old "We don't know what happened to your trophies. They must have been stolen or lost." Again, find out who currently has possession and start squawking. If your using a US Customs Broker, ask them for assistance. Some of them are fantastic about getting a fire started under someone's ass. Did you purchase trophy insurance? Good hunting, LDK

Shipments out of South Africa don't seem to be quick either. I know they have to have a vet certificate and some other export permits issued as well, which seem to be the major delay most of the time. I just had a shipment airfreighted in and is was god-awful expensive. Does anyone know if sea freight is significantly cheaper and who to contact?

Sea freight is about a third or less than air freight, but the USF&W is forcing some Brokers to use air (don't ask me why). You can call John Meehan at Fauna & Flora. He deals with issues like this everyday and stays on top of it. How; I'll never know. LDK

L.David Keith,
Thanks for the info. I'll look him up.