The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting WOW ! Wasn't expecting a cost this high !Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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Would appreciate comments from members on this. I hunted Cameroon in February. A fantastic hunt resulting in some very good trophies and great memories. Arrangements are currently underway to ship 4 trophies ( LD Eland, Roan, Warthog, Kob ) to NZ. I received an invoice today for just the Cameroon to Madrid leg. Euros 4835.05 !! Ouch, and double ouch ! On today's exchange rate that's just over NZD $8000.00 And still the Madrid to NZ freight charge to come later. The charge seems extraordinarily high to me. Is this typical or just what rates have gone to due to CV19 ? Thankyou. Hunting.... it's not everything, it's the only thing. | ||
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I have heard some crazy 3-4x price increase in shipping between us and Europe. A lot of cargo flies along side on commercial Passenger flights. I have some trophies in moz - if shipping prices go parabolic I will let my trophies remain in Africa. Mike | |||
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Who sent you the invoice? Your PH or a shipping co? Hate to say this, but some operators look at dip/pack/ship as a profit center. I regularly ship from Namibia to the US and most of my larger shipments (150 - 300 pounds) range in the area of $1,500 - $2,000 USD but we manage both ends of the shipment. So it would seem $5,736.00 USD for your shipment is a little pricy. Defiantly ask for a breakdown in shipping costs. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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I've encountered some sketchy things on trophy shipments; ghost charges and ridiculous costs. Like getting charged $400 for a crate that might have had $25 worth of material in it and less than that in African labor. And various 'warehouse transfer fees' that never took place. I firmly believe that some hunting operators, taxidermists, and customs brokers pack on charges for additional profits. And they kind of have you over a barrel. Thats why I take a lot of photos! | |||
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My experience was not that different than yours regarding Cameroon trophy shipment cost. It was substantially higher than what I was used to. If I recall right $3-4K, and then to the US more on top. Not unusual, unfortunately. | |||
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The fallow I had shipped from Austria cost 2,323 Euros from Vienna to my door. My four skulls and hides from Bulgaria was 950 Euros from Sophia to Chicago. There was a fee to Chicago to my door, but I do not remember what it was. That was in 2018. | |||
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I've left trophies in Africa twice due to unscrupulous gouging by agents, brokers, etc. I don't know if I'll ever bring anything home again. | |||
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Those charges, if for shipping only, are ridiculous. Even for air freight. I would be tempted to tell them to sharpen their pencils - or no deal. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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Trophy shipping costs have become stupid. The past few years I have been getting ours by sea freight. This has kept rising and rising too. Now we have decided no more trophies, at least for me. Someone told me shippers think that you have spent a few thousands dollars on hunting, so why can you not spend the same amount for the trophies. Stuff them. | |||
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I’ve had two shipments from SA and one from Zim, total about 15 animals, including Cape buffalo and eland. It’s been a few years but your cost seems very high. NRA Patron member | |||
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In the past few years costs have gone through the roof. These idiots are cutting their own throats. | |||
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Tell them they can keep the stuff! Then tell them to get real. | |||
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My last trophy shipment had trophies from both Zimbabwe and South Africa (two to be exact). The cost estimates that were discussed and the costs that they actually attempted to pass on to me caused me to go 'ape shit' on the shipping agent, the outfitter and all others involved. As an example, just to ship the hide and horns of an eland from Zimbabwe to South Africa, they quoted a cost of 2K! I finally got Andy Hunter involved and he took care of it for a few hundred dollars. (Good man that Andy Hunter is!) After the trophies had been finished and were ready for shipment, the shipping agent provided me with an insane quotation for shipping the trophies in one small to medium sized crate to the U.S. I went 'ape shit' again on the shipping agent and asked for a detailed accounting. Next thing I knew the costs had been substantially reduced. When the shipment arrived one of the trophies was damaged. I screamed bloody hell again and threatened the shipping agent and outfitter. The shipping agent blamed the outfitter. When the outfitter showed me pics of the finished trophy with no damage, the shipping agent paid my claim in full, but not before he bitched to high heaven. I told him that I was the victim in all of this, and that his kind of attitude was going to spell the death knell for his business and that word would certainly get out. He promptly changed his tune and apologized profusely. He also lost the business of the outfitter. In my opinion, these people think that international hunters are nothing more than pure money bags and will introduce all kinds of charges and costs to financially rape you unless you call their bluff. I too, am done with having trophies sent home. | |||
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Exactly. If you have an outfitter like UEG did (Andy Hunter) who is not in cahoots, the D&P, shippers, etc. stand to lose business. I’m sure many are cranking up prices due to COVID and fear of lost future business with the new administration here. In 2008, the only year I went on two different African hunts, I received at least one animal that was distinctly different than than one I shot. It was just a duiker, but not mine. I can’t believe an amazing trophy being swapped. Be tough and strong. Check with your outfitter. Ask for photographic evidence. Do not let them hustle you. There is business, and the there is crooked business. I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills. Marcus Cady DRSS | |||
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. Grant that's NZD 8.000/- you could put to your next hunt! Expensive! And that's the West Africa Europe leg. Add cost to NZ and taxidermy and wow!!!! Been discussed here many times cost of shipping etc. I enjoy taxidermy a lot but the costs are now out of relation to the service provided. I packed a house including some 30 mounts and shipped a 20' container from RSA to Germany as household goods for USD 4.200/- two years back! Dortmund last year had a stand showing 3D laser prints of trophies. Basic and someway to go but maybe one day that will be the future of taxidermy - photos and measurements and a 3D mount per laser printer when you are home! Wake up call for the taxidermy and shipping industry! Good luck on whatever you opt to do! . "Up the ladders and down the snakes!" | |||
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Like others I have given up bringing trophies home from Africa. Photos only for me. I hate getting ripped off and that's exactly what these thieves are doing. Call their bluff and tell them to keep the trophies. I'll bet the cost comes down. I've heard nothing but good things about Andy Hunter. I never dealt with him but you should reach out to him to see if he can help. Tom Z NRA Life Member | |||
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Be prepared. The FL Department of Revenue will look for sales & use tax on the values. | |||
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Not attempting to rub any salt onto wounds, but these are the questions that every hunter should be asking before they book a hunt. I can only speak to shipping from Namibia and South Africa, but it isn't that difficult and it doesn't have to cost a small fortune. If you do encounter any delays, silence, or excessive costs, get your PH/outfitter involved at once. They are the only one's who have pull with the taxidermists and shippers. Bitchin at the shipper gets you nowhere. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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I imported 8 trophies, Derby Eland, Buffalo, Roan, Hartebeest etc from Cameroon to Auckland in 2017 through Comores specialist trophy shippers in Paris. total cost to Auckland 1800 euros! I used them again in 2019 to get trophies from Ethiopia to Auckland. Excellent service again. You are being ripped off but the airlines have increased their rates into Auckland by about 50% for both freight and passengers due to the small number off aircraft flying this way. Return trip to London from Auckland with Singapore air cost us $21,000 for 2 business class in August compared with $12,000 last year. We are hoping to be able to get back to NZ just after Christmas but it isn't straightforward! Looking forward to New Year in the MIQ prison! PS Sika Country taxidermy in Taupo did a great job on my Eland but then, all their work is first rate. | |||
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The cost on the Fallow included the taxidermy cost. The 4 from Bulgaria the cost from Chicago to the house was like 80 bucks. | |||
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I had a shipment from Moz that had been delayed several times due to Covid shutting the Moz export office and then "being bumped for higher priority cargo". The shipping agent sent a copy of the "new" outrageous quote from the airline the shipment had been scheduled on along with a quote from a "lesser know" airline and a quote for a combined container by sea to the US. The lesser known airline was marginally higher that the original major airline quote and was able to accept the shipments immediately so I went that route. Unfortunately, I do not think any form of air shipping can be arranged for an acceptable fee at this time. If I were to consider trophy shipment at this time it would have to be by ship if that venue has not increased to an absurd level. | |||
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After five safaris to Namibia, our condo was full to the gills with Euro Mounts of Gemsbok, Kudu, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Springbok, Warthog, Steenbok, Baboons,etc. When I went back for trip #5 in May 2019, I took tons of quality pictures with my I Phone and had Costco print high quality enlargements mounted on Acrylic. The only mount I had done was a humongous Waterbuck I shot which my PH, Jan du Plessis, insisted I mount to hang at his guest chalet with a nicely engraved brass plaque with my name and May 2019 on it. In addition to numerous Euro Mounts I have a beautiful Mountain Zebra rug that cost me only $150 or so to have tanned in Namibia. Many fond memories. Jesus saves, but Moses invests | |||
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Sounds like absolute robbery and if it wasn’t for the obvious fact of hunting premium species, I would say take the pictures and leave the skins and horns in Africa. Stuck between a rock and a hard place that’s for sure! | |||
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Exactly!! | |||
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One word COVID! Anyone reading what's happening to airlines before commenting! | |||
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I know a lot of folks that got gouged by British Air, self included the agent told me you can't do that you will lose your trophies...My reply was sit and watch laddie boy! and hung up..I guess the ate them!!  Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Shipping trophies to CA from Mozambique in 2011, I got a stunning quote & told them "I'll have to get back to you in a couple days... At this price, I'm considering having you throw my stuff in the dumpster." They got back to me the next day & dropped the price by about 40% and I accepted that offer. At the price you were quoted, man... I'd have to start off with "Maybe if I were still on your continent and you kissed me first..." | |||
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Was yesterday chatting to a friend who operates a fruit and vegetable export industry and she was complaining at the rates she was being charged per kg. So if its anything to go by,airfreight charges at $1.50/kg excluding paperwork, export tax, etc. etc. that 2kg pineapple will end up costing the same as Beluga Caviar! The airlines are cashing in big time as containerized traffic has dropped as a result of reduced production in the manufacturing countries due to CV-19. At one time this trend was reversed and the airlines were flying with empty cargo holds. | |||
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Yet another vote for leaving the trophies in Africa. I've sworn that I'm never again bringing anything home, as the last several times I've decided to keep a trophy, the dip, pack, ship fees have been eye-watering. About 5 years ago, I had an extended fight with a Namibian shipping firm that was trying to stick me for more than 5000 dollars to ship a number of salted hides, plus a gemsbok, hartebeest and wildebeest skull/horns. I told them to keep them; they responded that they would issue complaints on AR, as well as DSC/SCI and other hunting fora. We went back and forth with increasing heatedness until I finally agreed to send 3000. Nowhere near worthwhile, but I wanted to put an end to the controvers. I agree that most of these outifts appear to believe that once we've spent a given amount of the hunt, the shipping costs likely are a rounding error. | |||
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I have left behind Cape buffalo, hippo, gemsbok, kudu, eland, wildebeest, zebra, impala, duiker, warthog, etc, etc. I’ve saved enough money for several more safaris. And with no room in the house anyway, it’s just plain common sense. Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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Surely this is going to kill hunting. For a lot of hunters keeping the trophy is a sign of respect to the hunted animal. And as you can’t keep the meat either it all starts looking less appealing. Yes you can still hunt, but the whole point of trophy hunting is to be very selective. If there is no value in trophies then the whole value chain of hunting is somewhat buggered. | |||
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Not so for me. The whole point of trophy hunting is, by selecting specific attributes of an animal (size, age, etc.) the hunter increases the challenge of the hunt. There is more challenge in hunting a wily old buck than a yearling doe! I hunt for the challenge in locating, stalking and shooting my chosen game animal. Trophies elicit fond memories of those times and feelings. Photos are just as effective as mounted trophies in supporting my memories. As for Covid effecting shipping costs; maybe. But after paying an additional 25% over my safari expense in 2017 for trophy shipping, dip, pack, etc., I decided to stick with photos only. By the way, you can have your hunt filmed for less than the shipping costs. USMC Retired DSC Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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...................A little pricy?????? That is not a little pricy, it is armed robbery! If the safari companies want to stay in business, they better get hold of the folks robing their clients. For what it is worth, they can forget getting my business. The above prices are nothing short of theft! No other way of saying it! ................................................  MacD37....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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Ouch Grant! I just had two boxes delivered from Namibia and the cost was about 75% higher than 2016's shipment. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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My experience was LONG BEFORE COVID. It's been going on for a LONG time. | |||
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Does anyone remember the good old days in the 70s-80s when PHs-Outfitters handled their own dip and pack, transported to International Airport and booked your cargo?? Only others involved were Airline, insurance, and import broker if you or your taxidermist didn't clear it and take it to his shop?? The good old days!! Now I can count up to 10 interlopers/profiteers between PH and home taxidermist!! My last shipment of 2 raw trophies from East Cape, SA cost more than my daily rate!! That's WRONG!! Yes it has been complicated by government regulations, but that is learning and documentation, not rocket science!! Too many greedy bodies injected, not enough control by outfitters...who got so big and busy they can't supervise their own future and destiny!! This will eventually kill safari hunting before the tree huggers.... IF NOT CONTROLLED!! It is ALREADY seriously affecting dangerous game/Double rifle prices in US... due to limitations on import of trophies!! PHs and Outfitters better get hands on this and back in control.... OR IT'S OVER BUT THE SHOUTING AND CRYIN!! NO CHEERZ HERE, 470EDDY | |||
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Next trip I believe I will bring back nothing but pictures and memories. This has gotten crazy. I understand airline traffic is greatly reduced, but whatever the reason for the increase I will not be bringing anything back. | |||
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| Administrator |
This is actually a shame. Many hunters would like to have their trophies home. To enjoy them, as they bring wonderful memories of the safari. I wonder why taxidermists and outfitters don't get together, and negotiate a reasonable price with one or two shipping agents, and use these exclusively. Might get things sorted out, and to hell with the greedy ones. | |||
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BANG ON, SAEED!! I THINK RICHARD LENDRUM, AFRICAN HUNTING GAZETTE AND THE FUTURE OF AFRICA??!!...NEW COMPANY AHG SHIPPING....but he needs PH/OUTFITTER cooperation to pull together!!.... cut out the bad players that have embedded themselves!! Hope it's not too late?? CheerZ, 470EDDY | |||
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470EDDY | |||
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