I live near Pensacola, Fl and was wondering what port of entry you southern based hunters use. Also, I need a recommendation for a taxidermist. Is Mobile a port/customs office with USDA office that can receive trophies? Thanks, Bob

Service Port - Mobile (Including Theodore)
Port Information
Port Code : 1901
Location Address : 150 N. Royal Street
Suite 3004
Mobile, AL 36602
Mailing Address : P.O. Box 2748
Mobile, AL 36652
General Phone : (251) 441-5106
General Fax : (251) 441-6061
Operational Hours : 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Central)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)

Description : A Service Port is a CBP location that has a full range of cargo processing functions, including inspections, entry, collections, and verification (19 CFR 101.1).
Brokers : View List


Service Contacts
Name : Entry
Phone : (251) 441-6101
Fax : (251) 441-5110


Name : Import Specialist
Phone : (251) 441-5310
Fax : (251) 441-6490


Name : Inspections
Phone : (251) 441-5111
Fax : (251) 441-6060


Name : Seizure Information
Phone : (251) 441-5102
Fax : (251)441-6665


Facilities And Crossings


Supplemental Information
Contact Information : U.S. Customs Office of Investigation (251)441-6146 Immigration Services (251)441-6158/Fax (251)441-6181 Agriculture Services (251)441-6158/Fax 251-441-6181


Directions to Port Office
Pensacola. FL or Pascagoula, MS : Follow I-10 West from Pensacola or East from Pascagoula. Exit at #26, Water Street, go north to St. Anthony Street. Port office will be on your immediate left.


Field Operations Office Information
Name : New Orleans
Location : New Orleans, LA


Press Office
Name : Virginia Dabbs, Press Officer
Address : 423 Canal Street
New Orleans , LA 70130
Phone : (504) 670 - 2140
Fax : (504) 670 - 2138


ICE Special Agents-in-Charge (SAC)

Kathi

kathi@wldtravel.com

I visited a number of the leading Southeastern taxidermists before deciding to have Larry Quinn of American Sportsman Taxidermy in Tallahassee do all of our work.

He specializes in African animals and does museum quality work.

Visit Larry's website at www.americansportsmaninc.com or call him at 850-576-2477.

According to US Customs, you have the following ports near you:

Florida
- Cape Canaveral
- Daytona Beach (User Fee Airport)
- Port Everglades
- Fernandina Beach
- Fort Myers
- Area Port of Jacksonville (Service Port)
- Key West
- Melbourne (User Fee Airport)
- Miami Seaport
- Miami International Airport (Service Port)
- Ocala (User Fee Airport)
- Area Port of Orlando (Service Port)
- Panama City
- Port of Pensacola, Florida
- Port of Port Manatee, Florida
- Sanford
- Sarasota (User Fee Airport)
- St. Petersburg
- Area Port of Tampa (Service Port)
- West Palm Beach

Alabama
- Birmingham
- Huntsville
- Mobile (Including Theodore) (Service Port)

Georgia
- Atlanta (Service Port)
- Brunswick
- Savannah (Service Port)

Mississippi
- Gulfport
- Pascagoula
- Jackson

Louisiana
- Baton Rouge
- Gramercy
- Lake Charles
- Morgan City
- New Orleans (Includes Belle Chasse,Concession) (Service Port)
- Shreveport-Bossier City


I suspect you'll need to work with the cities designated as "service ports." As for a taxidermist, I too use American Sportsman in Tallahassee. My port of entry is Atlanta.

Here is a list from the USFWS web site:



USFWS Designated Ports of Entry



It looks like New Orleans is closest (~200 miles), followed by Atlanta (325 miles).



George

VFR



The secret is to use a GOOOD tried and trusted taxidermist with experience in mounting African animals .... This GOOD taxidermist will have everything at their fingertips and they will arrange for all the necessary cleareance and or permits through the most appropriate entry port and with minimal costs ...



Dont try to be a DIY boffin, you have more important things to do with your valuable time than to follow up on red tape issues which the Xperts will do on your behalf .... DONT waste a dollar by trying to save a DIME



There are a few tricks of the trade and these guys with experience know the pitfalls such as storage charges and miscellaneous other unnecessary extra charges that can be levied on the unwary whom try to do the job of professionals ..



FIND the right taxidermist and rest easy is my humble message to ALL hunters, you wont regret it ... They provide all the proper laminated trophy tags and CORRECT delivery details that are important for prospective hunters to take with them overseas whenever they go hunting ...



The other trick is to have a good outfitter at the hunting end whom can recommend a good local taxidermist to process that end of the work ...



Finally, it is (most important) for the consigining agent in the country you hunt to notify your home based taxidermist immediately upon knowing the Airway Bill number and delivery date, this will put your taxidermist on notice to be prepared for the incoming consignment and act upon it's arrival without delay, this is one of the main problems, consignements sit in warehouses or bonded areas and incurr [ unecessary excess strorage charges ] just because no switched on individual was aware that the crate had in fact arrived and was awaiting a HUMAN to get involved ...



Have a happy day



Regards, Peter

Thanks for the replies. This will be my first African hunt and for plains game only. I was considering having the hides tanned, backed and trimmed in Namibia and doing a couple of European skull mounts. I will be shipping back dry trophies. Is this reasonable or should I have it all done here in the states? Atlanta is a good option as I have family there. Do I need to arrange with a broker in Atlanta to accept my shipment from Namibia? I will pick up the trophies in Atlanta.