Can you have game meat shipped home from Africa?
This is probably a dumb question but Im curious to know.

Not a dumb question. But you'd better eat it there if you want it.

I wish I could have brought a hunk of Eland home!

The short answer is "no." The reason is primarily Hoof and Mouth Disease. Below is a report that explains much of the circumstances that prevent meat products from coming to the US from many regions of the world:

GOOD BIOSECURITY REDUCES RISK OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Common-sense precautions and good biosecurity are the best defenses livestock producers can mount against foot-and-mouth disease, says a veterinary scientist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most highly contagious animal diseases known," says extension veterinarian David Griswold. "If our efforts to keep it out of this country fail, the economic impact on our food animal industry could be catastrophic." Foot-and-mouth disease -- sometimes called hoof-and-mouth -- is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect cloven-hooved animals such as cattle, swine, sheep, goats and deer, as well as other domesticated and wild animals, including hedgehogs, rats and mice. Infections in humans are rare and nonfatal. Infected animals suffer blisters and ulcers in their mouth and nose, and on their feet, teats and udders. These lesions often lead to excessive salivation and lameness. Foot-and-mouth normally is not fatal to adult animals, but it can sharply reduce agricultural productivity. Painful mouth and tongue lesions can cause reduced feeding. Milk production of infected cows drops sharply and may never fully rebound. Meat animals may not regain lost weight for several months. The disease also can cause abortion and low rates of conception. An outbreak in the United States could cost the dairy and livestock industries billions of dollars in losses. The disease is difficult to contain. "Direct contact with ill or carrier animals is the most obvious method of transmission," says Griswold. "But the virus can survive for several weeks on contaminated clothing and can live for days or weeks in the lungs, nasal passages or tonsils of humans. In addition, airborne particles can travel up to 40 miles, and the virus can be carried in contaminated meat and dairy products that, if fed to livestock, will cause infection." To reduce the risk of an outbreak, dairy and livestock producers should maintain good biosecurity on their farms. "A good biosecurity plan is always an essential part of good farm management, but it's especially important now," says Griswold. Producers should quarantine and observe new animals for at least four weeks before mixing them with their herds. If any animal displays excessive salivation or lameness associated with blisters of the mouth, nose or feet -- or other suspicious symptoms -- producers immediately should contact their veterinarian, a state or federal veterinarian or a county Penn State Cooperative Extension agent. "Early recognition of warning signs and prompt notification of veterinary officials are vital for successful isolation and eradication of infected animals," says Griswold. "Fast action may prevent the disease from becoming established in the United States, or at least reduce the time, energy and money needed to wipe it out." The United States has been free of foot-and-mouth since 1929, but the disease currently exists in Great Britain, France, The Netherlands, Argentina, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The recent outbreak in Great Britain and Western Europe has prompted import and travel restrictions in an effort to keep the virus from spreading to the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has banned the import of all animals and animal products from the European Union. USDA and Customs Service inspectors at international airports and seaports are questioning travelers and inspecting cargo to prevent the importation of banned meats, cheeses and other products that could contain the virus. Travelers coming from countries where the disease exists are being asked to launder their clothing before returning to the United States. The clothes and shoes of those who visited agricultural areas may be disinfected at the airport. "If you visit rural areas overseas, buy some comfortable but inexpensive clothes and shoes that you can leave behind before flying home," Griswold says. "Once back in the United States, refrain from visiting animal agriculture areas for at least 14 days."

The USDA has established a toll-free telephone center to respond to questions from the public, industry and media regarding USDA's response to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe. The toll-free number is 1-800-601-9327. International callers can reach the center by dialing 01-301-734-9257.

I have wondered the same thing, I found a good resource is the US State Dept. website. It can answer that and a lot of other questions about foreign travel.

John

Yes you can bring a hunk of meat home. Your home just can't be in the U.S. I put my feet up and ate Eland biltong in Singapore not too long ago.

Meat goes out of the U.S. much easier than it comes in. I've eaten Elk backstrap from New Mexico in Venezuela, and Dall Sheep backstrap in Mumbai.

Meat can be imported if you obey the regulations.
In the past Zimbabwe was a huge and respected meat exporter. Most of the meat eaten in Switzerland was coming from Zim.
For a person, importing some meat in Europe could be a torture because of the paperwork and testings.
Anyhow, come in Paris airport when people from Cameroon are desembarking. God, how it is stinking rotten meat in the Airport hall. The guys cannot resist bringing "biltong" in France.
And the customs look the other way. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.