Hi all. My trophies (rugs, buffalo skull, etc.) are nearing completion at Collett's Wildlife Artistry; Taxidermist in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. They need me to proved shipping agent info. I searched for a recommendation on this site but everything I found was 11 to 19 years old. I need someone to do all the USFWS CITES stuff and then ship the crate to my home in Utah. The last time I did this (2016) I was told there were only two airports in the US that could accept trophies from Africa: One in Denver; the other in San Francisco. I was informed of Coppersmith in SF but I'd rather not go through them because of the greater distance and because of their socialism problems (read: I'd like my trohpies to be safe!). Does anyone have a recommendation? Many thanks - MJ

Mike,

We always recommend:

International Freight Systems (of WA), LLC

Tel: 206-433-2614

E-mail: trophies@intfreight.com

Ask for Mike Belverud

Jamie can help if you have issues.

Mark

Thanks, Mark! I didn't think to ask you - I should have known. You're the best.
mj

Mike,

It's all part of the service.

Cheers,

Mark

Mike,
I also use IFS, at SEA TAC Airport, Seattle. You might need a good agent on the Africa side to orchestrate the details and hurdles of your shipment unless your taxidermist will do that? If not, you might want to contact Richard Lendrum in JNB, AHG SHIPPING new service. He is the guru of Africa Hunting Gazette, and now Afton House.

Seattle is an easy Port of Entry and I have cleared myself until all of the new electronic entry docs.

It is important that your original air booking will take your trophies all the way home... otherwise truck transport has to be organized from POE unless you are driving up to pick up.

Cheers

Coppersmith has several offices!

Hunting Trophy.com [Coppersmith]

I have used them several times.

I have used Well Logistics in Houston my last couple of trips. Great service. http://well-usa.com/hunting-trophies/

I used Safari Specialty Importers earlier this year with help getting my trophies home from Congo-Brazzaville. They were fantastic!

My trophies made it home with ease, even amongst the coronavirus pandemic. I'll be using them going forward and would highly recommend their services.

Thanks, all. I got some good recommendations. I sent out 5 or 6 requests (some of your recommendations were received later so they weren't included). Coppersmith remains the only one to reply so I'm going with them. So far they are very helpful and professional and I have no reason to believe they won't remain so. Thanks again - mj

FYI on my last shipment from EAst Cape and JNB, my trophies were routed through Atlanta and snagged in a 100% inspection process going on at the time. To get them inspected and back into transit, USING IFS when I normally clear myself in Seattle, IFS had to engage Coppersmith in Atlanta to place shipment for inspection and back into transit...or they could have been ditched!!
This is getting to be the boondoggle in shipping trophies back home...and EXPENSIVE!!

Good to hear you got it sorted out. Yes... expensive. VERY expensive!

mj