Are there any other options in receiveing my trophies from South Africa?? I'm going on my first safari in April and just curious if I can use any other method to get my stuff back other than the norm. Any suggestions.

Not sure what you are asking exactly?

The norm is the norm for a reason, I recommend it.

Run some prices on a few pounds from anywhere in Africa and you'll have your answer.

I don't like being a sheep and just doing what the rest of the flock is doing, just because. I want to find a better more effecient way to do things and if there is one out there, why not use it.

at the prices Fedex charges for small, light packages in the US, I conceive of the prices they would charge for a 200-400 lb. crate air shipped from Africa. save yourself some money and ship any large container by sea.

jdollar,
I ran one a few weeks ago, 20 pounds to Africa was $400+.

I do a lot of freight from Australia and I suspect it would be very similar to Africa.

First of all you have to consider that we dont have a Fedex office in every town, like you do in the USA - so it can be very difficult to get packages picked up and prices quoted. You just have to keep that in mind....

However, I do use Fedex and DHL on occasions. Often for small, relatively light packages the Fedex quote works out exactly the same and sometimes less than the airfreight quote. We had the occasion last year where we had to ship a single skin and skull to a client in Alaska. The Fedex and DHL quotes were actually cheaper and we ended up sending it door-to-door on DHL, whereas the airfreight was only to the international airport. Fedex and DHL can also get the items cleared through customs faster than some other routes it seems.

The larger and heavier the box the more efficient it becomes to send it regular air-frieght routes. Last year we sent one buffalo cape and skull and the bill was $850. We sent another box on a similar route with six buffalo capes and 10 buffalo skulls and the bill was $1900!! There is value in heavy boxes full of trophies - consolidation is the key!!

Another consideration with sending Fedex/DHL is that if there are any problems with paperwork or items in the shipment then it could be more difficult with these couriers than the regular airfreight. Certainly with the airfreight/independent customs brokers there is less chance of stuff-ups with 'risky' shipments, especially with anything CITIES listed. Top-line customs brokers like Coppersmiths and Fauna & Flora, do an absolutely STERLING job in this regard.

Hope this helps...

Brian 2

When you say you want a (better more efficiemt way) I take it you DONT want the COST to dictate BUT efficiency is the criteria, as you dont mention costs per se

IMHO you need to ask yourself THREE questions first.

1) Do you want it to be done by those whom are considered professionals in the business and you pay them the applicable fees and you get your trophies in reasonable time at a reasonable going rate.

2) OR you want the best method and will pay the applicable charges regardless of cost !!

3) OR ... You want to DIY and get the cheapest method regardless of efficiency

Once we know what you want out of the deal then the guests can chip in with some good options on how to proceed

Cheers, Peter

DIY sounds good, cost is important. How would I go about doing it myself and saving some coin. I'm just not sure what is available. I also can't understand how it can take 8 months after my Safari to get my trophies back. I know that isn't all shipping time.

quote:

I also can't understand how it can take 8 months after my Safari to get my trophies back. I know that isn't all shipping time.

Brian2; never forget that Africa is Africa. You can cut delivery time by two thirds, but a lot rides on who handles your business. Everyone has their hand out...at home and abroad. Choosing who's palm gets your coin determines how fast and how much you pay. I feel the same frustrations, but that's why I work on solutions. Good hunting, David

quote:

I also can't understand how it can take 8 months after my Safari to get my trophies back.

Your right, it really SHOULD NOT take this long, but that's just the way it goes.

If everything was in the US after 8 months, that would be fantastic. A year is not too unusual, two years is not unheard of. Four to five months is about as fast as you can ever hope for.

Many times the entire seasons trophies are delivered to a taxidermist for dip and pack after the end of the hunting season. So the first hunter of the season may wait longer than the last hunter. Then they apply for permits.. this takes a while. If you are having any work done over there like tanning of flat skins, or euro mounts, that takes a while too. The actual shipping time is only a very small part of it all.

most of the hold up is with the permits IMO.

Believe me I understand your frustration. Many things seem to move in slow motion. The positive side of it all is that it helps to spread the costs out a bit. Hunt with a good outfit and be as patient as possible and it will all work out.