I am going to RSA in a couple of months. I have a taxidermist in RSA who will prepare my trophies for shipment and send them on their way. WHat do I have to do here in the states to have everything imported properly, so I can get it to my taxidermist? Can a USF&W licensed taxidermist have the animals shipped to them, or do I have to go through an import broker/agent? Atlanta and Chicago are both 6 hour drives for me, I don't know if Cincinnati is aport of entry or not (1.5 hours).

I am just not sure of what I need lined up to have things right when my trophies get to the U.S. Any advice will be appreciated...Tim Herald

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Herald:
I am going to RSA in a couple of months. I have a taxidermist in RSA who will prepare my trophies for shipment and send them on their way. WHat do I have to do here in the states to have everything imported properly, so I can get it to my taxidermist? Can a USF&W licensed taxidermist have the animals shipped to them, or do I have to go through an import broker/agent? Atlanta and Chicago are both 6 hour drives for me, I don't know if Cincinnati is aport of entry or not (1.5 hours).

I am just not sure of what I need lined up to have things right when my trophies get to the U.S. Any advice will be appreciated...Tim Herald

Tim

My short advice is USE a USA taxidermist whom has experience both in importing and mounting African Species, they will ( on your behalf ) do all the paper work red tape exempt permits as/if required. They will also provide you with laminated plastic or similar tags which have all their appropriate contact information and you then take these to your hunting outfitter in Africa and he will do the rest. The Africa taxidermist will then liase as required following your hunt with the USA taxidermist to effect importation of your trophies in a timely cost effective manner ..

I personally believe if you use the experienced tried and trusted people in the know how and dont try to be DIY it pays in the end.

The key is FIRST select a GOOD USA taxidermist and then you will not have hassles provided your Outfitter does the same in Africa

Peter

Thanks Peter. I do not want to DIY...I would rather pay a reasonable amount and have someone who knows what they are doing, do it. So a US Licensed taxidermist can get it all done, and I don't have to go through an import broker? I have a very good taxidermist in my home town who has done tons of African game and has been to Africa many times, so I assume, he can just take care of this for me? I appreciate your info and am happy to hear anything else advised...TH

This is from the taxidermist my PH uses in RSA...my taxidermist is in KY, so what do you folks in the know think about this program, and does anyone have a clue as to the cost? I plan to bring back (if lucky) 1 kudu hide & horns, 1 gemsbok hide & horns, 1 impala skull mount, 1 warthog skull mount, 1 zebra rug. So all wil lbe able to fit in one crate easily I would guess.

Opinions?


Ocean Consolidation Distribution Program
We at Highveld Taxidermists have, in conjunction with Safari Cargo Systems and Fauna & Flora Customshouse, embarked upon ocean distribution methods for mounted Game Trophies to the USA in September 2002.

Cost savings achieved are considerable, in some instances up to 50 % less than airfreight. It is a secure distribution method that has become extremely popular and we are proud to say that it has successfully catered for hundreds of trophy shipments during the past 16 months.

The key to our success is the way in which the door to door delivery system is conducted:

We pack your trophies in sturdy plywood boxes here at Highveld Taxidermists and deliver these crates to Safari Cargo Systems, where they are placed into 40 foot HighCube Ocean going containers. All precautions are taken to ensure that the containers are seaworthy and that the door seals are not perished. At this time the container doors are resealed.

By special arrangement with Maritime Agencies, our containers achieve under deck stowage on the nominated vessels operating to the Port of NY. This way our cargo is not exposed to the high seas and much cooler transit conditions are achieved.

Since Game Trophies and related products are subjected to many rules and inspections by US government agencies, the participation of Fauna & Flora Customs House Brokers at the Port of NY is imperative to the entire distribution concept: A way was found to avoid costly third party intervention when the containers arrive at the seaport. The US Department of Agriculture granted special concession to Fauna & Flora Customs Brokers to bring the containers from the seaport to their Customs bonded facility adjacent to JFK. This way there is no need for inspections and costly third party intervention at the seaport.

The containers (Ocean Game Trophy Consolidations) are unpacked at the premises of Fauna & Flora by professionals. This is where US government agencies such as US Customs, US Agriculture, US Fish & Wildlife and US Homeland Security conduct their activities to effect required inspections. When all formalities are finalized, Fauna & Flora effect furtherance of the shipments to their designated delivery locations and homes. The Ocean Distribution Program is carefully planned and dedicated purely to the carriage of Sport hunted Animal Game Trophies.


Thanks...TH

Tim

In theory, your USA taxidermist will be able to do it (all for you) provided you find the right one of course.

My thoughts are, once you start to deal with two or more people to essentially do the same job, that is when difficulty can often arise and especially if all does not go to plan ///

I will (stand corrected) BUT I do believe the GOOD AFRICA EXPERIENCED taxidermists will do everything on your behalf and at a fair price offer for consideration ...

Our esteemed AR guests will also have other good advice BUT I personally still believe in a (fully documented contract) outlining exactly what they will do for you and a ( no hidden costs ) price or formal estimate, which in laymans language, an estimate often means within 10%.

Its not that I dont trust someone JUST that it removes any ambiguity when things are not what they seem to be /// from experience I have heard tooooo many stories of extra costs slipping in here and there and the end result is bad blood between the two parties that should not be necessary

Peter

TH

I used the Safari Cargo/ Fauna&Flora scheme in 2003 and made a comparisone here. See my previousPOST. I was very pleased with the results.

As you can see there are some significant savings by this method. It all depends on who/where you want your taxidermy done. The Ocean Cargo scheme is only for completed taxidermy.

If you can visit the taxidermist while in RSA you will get an idea of their operation compared to others you are familiar with, and you should get some local USA references from them.

If you identify the RSA taxidermist to us someone here may know them and be able to comment on their work.

Also tell us where/with whom you are hunting as others may have nearby taxidermy suggestions as well.

If you are going to use your US taxidermist they should be able to make all arrangements and provide tags for your use as Peter has noted, if not you must find another taxidermist.

Best of Luck.

Les

Thanks again guys. The more info the better. I was looking at using Highveld Taxidermists. http://www.taxidermist.co.za/What do y'all know about them? Do they do quality work, and should I consider just having them do my mounts and go from there? It seems like a bit less hassle to have the mounts done in RSA and just shipped to me, but I have a really good taxidermist here and do not want inferior work just to save a couple hundred bucks...

Definitely use a local taxidermist to take care of it for you. My taxidermist takes care of it for me. He may use a Customs Broker as well, depending on the shipment. I have had friends get their taxidermy done in Africa; some has been good and some has arrived that is not the animals they shot.