For those who have struggled with getting your trophies shipped back from Africa, I have some great news for all of us. I just got off the phone with John Meehan of Fauna & Flora. He advised me that after two years of negotiations with the US Gov't., they now are certified to receive shipments via Ocean liner. What many of you may not know is that in the past, and even though you requested and or were told, trophy shipments were air freighted instead of via Ocean liner. I was under the same impression. However, we receive a bill and pay it. Some to the exporter in Africa, some like me to the importer, which in my case is always Fauna & Flora. Did you physically trace every step of your shipment? Did you prove beyond a shadow of a doubt it was by Sea? Many times we are told "Sure, we'll do just that" when in reality shipments were sent via air cargo, and I'm not blaming the exporter. Somewhere in this tangle of dip/pack, mounting, movement to the exporter, arrangement of export shipment, the US Gov't played a role in how they will accept shipments. After all, since 9/11 they have the tremendous task of safe guarding our country from illegal or dangerous contraband entering our country. That said, it is my pleasure to inform everyone that we can now ship via Ocean freight. Delivery is generally 30 days, but the savings will be great, especially on those lifesize mounts. That's about all I can post in one thread. For details contact your Customs Broker or John Meehan at Fauna & Flora. He has given us outstanding service. He returns phone calls and emails usually within 24 hours. You wouldn't believe the number of goods being consigned every day. Hope this helps some of you save $$$. It might mean the difference on how soon you can return to the Dark Continent. Good hunting, David

LDK,

Does this apply to raw / unmounted trophies?

It seems that F&F and Safari Cargo Systems have been shipping by Ocean Cargo for a few years - but ONLY completed/mounted trophies.

If it is now raw trophies as well, that should now be considerably cheaper.

Les

Hi Les, my understanding from F&F was unfinished raw skins as well as mounted trophies. That's what had been the issue for two years. I had to cut my conversation short as SCI in Washington DC called and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to express our concern over the ivory ban. Good hunting, David

This makes no sense. I have been receiving shipments of fully mounted trophies by consolidated ocean freight for years.

I have been given the names of the vessels involved, have been provided with route and scheduled arrival information (Durban to New York), and have received confirmation when the vessel had docked at New York and when my shipment had made it through customs, all through John's good offices. It is hard for me to believe that all of this information has been untrue.

Especially given that I have paid rates for these shipments that were half the rates applicable to air freight.

As I said, this makes no sense. Perhaps this news relates only to shipments of raw trophies or shipments from countries other than RSA, since it can't relate to RSA to USA shipments of finished mounts.

quote:

This makes no sense. I have been receiving shipments of fully mounted trophies by consolidated ocean freight for years.

MR: I should have clarified. This pertains to raw skins. Mounts have been OK to ship via Sea. My fault, sorry. LDK

Makes sense now. Thanks.

MR - did you ship any of your trophies you took with Vaughan by ocean and if so how did you get that done???

quote:

Originally posted by samwise:
MR - did you ship any of your trophies you took with Vaughan by ocean and if so how did you get that done???

Yes, all of them. Via Safari Air Cargo air freight from Windhoek, Namibia to Johannesburg, RSA, then via truck to Life-Form in White River, RSA, then after mounting, via SAC/truck again to Durban, RSA, then via SAC/ocean freight to New York, NY, USA, and then via F&F/truck to my door.

All of these players are consummate professionals who are terrific at what they do and who just plain get it done, right and on time, every time.

Thanks MR if it's not to much trouble could you PM me the contact info as I am hunting with Vaughan again and with Adam Clements in Tanzania and would like to do the same.

Will do. My pleasure. Good luck with what promise to be a couple of great safaris!

Thank you sir-Never shot a Buff so it's like a first safari all over again!!!

i don't understand this. why would an importer/shipping agent air freight your trophies to the U.S. if you requested ocean shipping- it would obviously cost him more to ship by air and therefore the price to you would be higher, so that possibly you would take your business elsewhere. it seems to me that the importer would want to get you the lowest shipping quote available if you requested ocean shipping.

MR,

I have heard that ocean shipping of mounts can be risky because of humidity issues. Have you ever noticed any problems in that regard? I certainly wouldn't mind ocean freight if quality is unaffected!

quote:

Yes, all of them. Via Safari Air Cargo air freight from Windhoek, Namibia to Johannesburg, RSA, then via truck to Life-Form in White River, RSA, then after mounting, via SAC/truck again to Durban, RSA, then via SAC/ocean freight to New York, NY, USA, and then via F&F/truck to my door.

All of these players are consummate professionals who are terrific at what they do and who just plain get it done, right and on time, every time.

MR

Sound advice and two companies I would highly recommend.
jdollar: Until recently, our USF&W wanted all raw skins, capes and horns/skulls to only be shipped via air freight. It was our Gov't, not the exporters. Only mounted trophies were eligable for Ocean freight. I don't know about other importers, but Fauna & Flora is now allowed to import raw skins shipped via Ocean freight. This is about 1/3 of the cost of air. I just received my current invoice for two crates (28 animals) shipped last week via air cargo. They are here in NY and delivered to my local Taxidermist the bill is over $3,000. Shame I wasn't a week late in shipping, I could have saved a bundle. LDK

wihntr

I used the F&F/SCS Ocean Cargo shipping in 2004 for my shipment from the Eastern Cape. I quized them pretty intently regarding moisture and quality control and was satisfied with their answers. The shipment came off without a problem. [well, except for the local delivery crew that tried to hold us up for add'l $ to offload the crate from the truck. Mr. Meehan, from F&F, fixed that issue while I was holding on the other line! "Yes Sir! Where would you like us to put the crate?"]

Moisture/humidity is far more of an issue here in Tampa than on that shipment. I have another crate on its' way to the container in Durban at this moment.

Les

quote:

Originally posted by wihntr:
MR,

I have heard that ocean shipping of mounts can be risky because of humidity issues. Have you ever noticed any problems in that regard? I certainly wouldn't mind ocean freight if quality is unaffected!

They ship the trophies screwed and otherwise secured inside massively overbuilt wooden crates, which are themselves placed inside train car sized steel containers before being loaded onto the ocean freighters.

I have had no problems with humidity or anything else, so far.

That's good to hear. Looks like my stuff from Namibia this year will enjoy an ocean cruise on it's way here.