Read the thread "two crates or one" was wondering how many people use the same customs broker for repeated trophy shipments from Africa or do you use different services each time?

Used Coppersmith for the first trip (1999) and have used F&F for each of the last two (2002 and 2004). If I stay here in VA, I'll probably continue to use F&F.

Snakelover, I don't know where you are in VA. I use to use F & F in NY and it added fgt from NY to Pa to the cost. I found a broker in Baltimore which is close to me 1 3/4 hr drive and I save the fgt in the states. If you are interested I will give you the name of the person I use.

Is coppersmith nationwide or specific to a particular state?

Tradewinds,
THANKS!

Guests

I recently located this OVERVIEW on HSC webpage, dont know how current it is BUT might be worth someone doing a follow up and let us ALL know the latest as it sounds like the stories we keep hearing AND it might have some merit !!

Regards, Peter
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Taxidermy:

Over the years, we’ve heard complaints by clients about these issues, airfreight charges, dipping and packaging fees, customs clearances, and the excessive time to get trophies back home. The same gripes arise over and over, year after year.

From our experiences, both on safari and as taxidermists, there is little advantage to having taxidermy work done overseas. Crating and packaging expenses generally exceed any savings anticipated. Moreover, resolving issues about damage or unsatisfactor taxidermy work is very difficult on an international basis.

All outfitters and professional hunters have contracts to send your trophies home as salted and sterilized hides and horns. However, the current conditions result in months of delays and increased processing charges. Some paperwork procedures and costs e necessary, mandated by the respective governments for tax and health reasons, but this does not justify prolonged inaction and a whole slew of bewildering fees.

A solution may be in sight. John Rulon, of Hellmann Transport Services (in Houston), has formed an associated company with offices in South Africa to handle the entire process. Under his new plan, trophies will be picked up at the outfitter’s base camp rectly after the safari. They will be sterilized and packed quickly. Local government requirements will be fulfilled and the hides and horns shipped to the U.S. within six to eight weeks. There will be no outside commissions or unnecessary handling char s.

A four-part legal routing order can be supplied by taxidermists statewide to hunters departing for Africa. The original form is given to the PH/outfitter, and one is kept by the client: the remaining two are mailed to Hellmann in Houston prior to depart for Africa. Questions and requests may be directed to John Rulon at (281) 590-0281. In addition to the reduced time, it is anticipated there will be overall cash savings realized by using this system. Both as safari clients and professional artisans we encourage you to discuss this new opportunity with your taxidermist.