21 November 2009, 00:21
nubeBroker?
I am posting this for some friends who just got back a couple months ago and they are looking for a Broker to bring their trophies back from Africa. They live here in Alberta and I wonder if any of you have had a good broker to bring your trophies back with. Any info would be great.
Thanks
21 November 2009, 09:10
Russ GouldYou don't need a broker, if you means customs broker. Just get the crate sizes and weights from the taxidermist. Then contact a couple of shipping co's and get quotes. pick one and have them ship your stuff to your attn. When it arrives, go to customs and clear same. Not sure of procedure in Canada, but trophies have no commercial value so I am pretty sure you can do it yourself.
21 November 2009, 21:31
makinube,
I've cleared my own in the past and will do it again in a couple of months. Easy to do if the shipment is not for commercial purposes. It may be different if raw trophies are being sent to a taxidermist here. Have a look at the Canada Customs website. I called the number provided there just for confirmation that it was as easy as it seemed. It was and they were quite helpful.
Dean
22 November 2009, 02:16
nubeThanks guys. I just get a little scared of something like that and would hate for my friends to loose their trophies because of some crazy paperwork. I will check it out a little more. I got a hold of one guy and says it would be around $300 and for piece of mind it may be worth it.
23 November 2009, 18:43
makinube,
If you do end up doing it yoursel, give Canada Customs a call first. They were really good when I called them last month. If there are CITES animals in the shipment (eg leopard) things might be a little more complicated, but the system for non commercial imports really does seem designed so the average person can do the legalities themselves without too much drama. However, like you said, a bit of peace of mind might make a broker worthwhile.
Dean