I am sure that many threads have been written on this subject. Let me apologize in advance for being repetitive.

I went to Africa last year on my first safari. It was fantastic! I am going back again next year.

We had the taxidermy work done in South Africa and they are finished. We've gotten pictures of the mounts and they look nice. We are now in the shipping phase.

The trophies are being sent via air freight and the shippers sent an invoice. The total is about as expected. One of the question areas relates to insurance. Near the top of the invoice, they list the "Insurance Value" as $15,000. In the list of charges, they have included a "Transit Insurance & Insurance Administration Charge" which breaks out to...
Quantity / Unit - 20 065.23
Rate - 4.5%
Charge - $902.94
I understand the charge part. What does the Quantity and Rate mean?

Also, it cost $4,700 for the taxidermy work and this insurance is for "replacement and repairs". Am I being over insured? Actually, do I really need insurance to cover the shipping? Do people normally get this?

I live in Maryland and the trophies are being sent to Baltimore. In their email they asked if I have a "clearing agent to assist with the clearance and delivery". I didn't know I needed a clearing agent for finished trophies. I thought that was only for skins and horns. Lesson learned. Do I need a clearing agent? Is it worth the cost or is this something I can handle myself?

As for delivery, I was under the impression that they (the shipping company) delivered it to my house. Another lesson learned for next time.

Finally, they mentioned that their charges do not include "import duties or taxes". Are there import duties and taxes on trophies?

Sorry for all the questions. This is all new to me and I am definitely learning a lot. I would appreciate any answer you can provide.

Hello,

Did I post this in the wrong area? If so, where should I have posted his?

Trust me when I tell you, with as tough a crowd as you all are, I would not have posted this unless I needed the help.

Sherrill

I think you posted in the right area, but most here don't have the taxidermy work done in SA. Most have skins/horns shipped back and have that mounting done here.

I am guessing that is why you are not getting a response.

Oh ok. Thanks Jason. I can understand that.

I was going to ship my skins/horns back, but we had some items that needed to be fixed right away, such as a horn that got shot off, and I didn't know what condition they would be in when they got back.

Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by Sherrill Philip Neese:
The trophies are being sent via air freight and the shippers sent an invoice. The total is about as expected. One of the question areas relates to insurance. Near the top of the invoice, they list the "Insurance Value" as $15,000. In the list of charges, they have included a "Transit Insurance & Insurance Administration Charge" which breaks out to...
Quantity / Unit - 20 065.23
Rate - 4.5%
Charge - $902.94
I understand the charge part. What does the Quantity and Rate mean?

Also, it cost $4,700 for the taxidermy work and this insurance is for "replacement and repairs". Am I being over insured? Actually, do I really need insurance to cover the shipping? Do people normally get this?

I live in Maryland and the trophies are being sent to Baltimore. In their email they asked if I have a "clearing agent to assist with the clearance and delivery". I didn't know I needed a clearing agent for finished trophies. I thought that was only for skins and horns. Lesson learned. Do I need a clearing agent? Is it worth the cost or is this something I can handle myself?

As for delivery, I was under the impression that they (the shipping company) delivered it to my house. Another lesson learned for next time.

Finally, they mentioned that their charges do not include "import duties or taxes". Are there import duties and taxes on trophies?

Sorry for all the questions. This is all new to me and I am definitely learning a lot. I would appreciate any answer you can provide.

I might be able to help with some of the questions.

1. I believe you're being charged $902.94 for insurance? That does seem a bit excessive to me. I would definitely want the shipment insured though and insuring it for $15,000 probably isn't excessive as it probably covers the presumed total cost of your safari. In other words, if all you're stuff was ruined it probably is meant to pay for a return trip but you would have to read the policy to know that.

2. You do need a clearing agent but when my trophies were shipped here, that matter was handled seamlessly by Life Form Taxidermy. Your taxidermist should know what clearing agent to use. There is another thread on this forum from several weeks ago in which a guy cleared his own trophies but I've never done it you would have to research that yourself. The place to start would be a call to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

3. My trophies were delivered to my personal driveway in a large wooden crate.

4. I don't think you'll have to pay any import duties or taxes.

Thank you for the information.

I will definitely check on the insurance and with the USF&WS.

quote:

Originally posted by Sherrill Philip Neese:
Oh ok. Thanks Jason. I can understand that.

I was going to ship my skins/horns back, but we had some items that needed to be fixed right away, such as a horn that got shot off, and I didn't know what condition they would be in when they got back.

Thanks again.

There was nothing that needed a right away fix that could not have been taken care of right here in the states no matter what condition they arrived in. I am glad you posted this so others can see all the charges that you are now paying using a SA taxidermist. We could have done your safari , and when it came to shipping, insured it, with our delivery drivers drove it to your door and hung it in place for you for less than what you are paying in merely the insurance cost. Sad to hear about this.






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TAoW,

Thank you for the feedback on this.

Just wanted to comment that I had no heartache with the charges and I am not upset about anything. I made a decision to have the work done in South Africa and it is what is. Will I do things differently next time? Probably. Maybe. I will have to see when everything is over with. I have definitely learned a lot about this whole process of dealing with the trophies.

Anyway, I am seeking advice/information now so that I can move forward. My questions being... Am I over insured? Do I need the insurance? Is a clearing agent necessary? Are there import duties and taxes?

From what people have written so far, I should have insurance, but the insurance costs are high, I will need to have a clearing agent, and there should not be duties and taxes. Does anyone else have any suggestions/recommendations/comments?

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate it.

Frankly, I would drop the insurance. Imagine trying to collect a settlement from an African insurance company by convincing them that the trophies that arrived in the US are ruined. Good luck!

Contact you PH and ask him if this is the normal rate.

You haven't told us what trophies, how many trophies and what size container. This information might get some more answers.

I used W. R. Zane for all my stuff in 2006. I don't know if they have an office in your area.

Sherrill:

I live outside Baltimore and I have cleared 11 shipment myself at BWI over the last few years. BWI actually makes it quite simple as the USFWS and Customs are in the same building. The longest I have ever had to wait is 25 minutes.

I have cleared skins, skulls, horns, completed trophies, and all types of animals. So you do not need an agent to pick up your trophies. Just a truck big enough to pick up your crate. PM me if you have any questions.

Hello Sherrill
I done what you are talking about 5 or 6 years ago at the same location you are talking about. Go to the airport on the north side, the road that runs all the way around the airport.Fish and wildlife and customs are close to each other, call them or ask someone where they are and then go talk with them and get phone numbers so yhou can contact them as you need to. I cleared them myself and it worked fine but the personnel on duty might make a difference. I don't think they will deliver to your house, you will have to pick them up at the air freight terminal and have fish and wildlife and customs clear them. If I can help anymore call410 274 9653.
Good luck

Sherrill,

The BWI F&WL office is just across the hall from the customs office off of Rt 170 and behind the filling station at commercial aviation. If you have a primate or swine trophy (baboon, bushpig, warthog, etc) then the CDC will also require an inspection. I believe that that is handled it the same area as well. Both the Customs and F&WL folks have been very helpful when I have visited and will be glad to explain the process to you and walk you through the forms, etc.

Edwin

I can't comment on the price, but I can comment on the need. Estes freight ran a forklift through my crate from my 2007 hunt. They had the nerve to say "I guess they don't make crates like they use to" to which I replied, what crates are designed to be run through with a forklift???

They made good on their insurance (~$2,000 in damages), but it took several letters over about 3 months, I had to have them reopen my claim after they closed it without payment and

one more

Hutty, Cowpuncher, & Oday450:

Thank you! After reading your posts, I gave the BWI USFWS office a call. They explained the whole process to me. They will even fill out the form for me.

Bottom line: what seemed like a daunting process, actually looks pretty easy. I am going to go for it. Thanks again.

Sherrill

Rob H:
You have convinced me! I will get the insurance.

RVL III:
I sent an email off to my PH.

As for my trophies they are:
3D Wall pedestal mounts:
Kudu
Eland
Shoulder mounts:
Impala x 2
Gemsbok x 2
Blue Wildebeest
Warthog tusks on plaque x 2
Zebra skin
Back skins for Eland, Kudu, Impala x 2, Gemsbok x 2, Blue Wildebeest

The crate dimensions are 162 x 131 x 131cm or 63.78 x 51.5 x 51.5 inches
Weight: 156 Kg
Volumetric Weight: 463.3 Kg

To repeat what I posted above:
"Near the top of the invoice, they list the "Insurance Value" as $15,000.
In the list of charges, they have included a "Transit Insurance & Insurance Administration Charge" which breaks out to...
Quantity / Unit - 20 065.23
Rate - 4.5%
Charge - $902.94
I understand the charge part. Smiler What does the Quantity and Rate mean?

Also, it cost $4,700 for the taxidermy work and this insurance is for "replacement and repairs". Am I being over insured?"

Thanks again for all of the answers everyone has given me. I really appreciate it and it has been very helpful.

Edwin: We will have to meet again for a sundowner. I am sure we will have some good stories to share. I see that you have been on even more adventures.

Sherrill,

Will be good to see you again. Just pick a time & place. I was in SA again in June at Kruger NP & hunting in the Baltimore, Limpopo Provence area taking my youngest brother on his first safari. I'm trying to decide what to do next year and would love to hear your experiences.

Edwin,

I sent you a PM.

They were correct. Once you go, your biggest problem is getting back. We had the trip of a life time. What a wonderful place!

Sherrill

quote:

Originally posted by Sherrill Philip Neese:
To repeat what I posted above:
"Near the top of the invoice, they list the "Insurance Value" as $15,000.
In the list of charges, they have included a "Transit Insurance & Insurance Administration Charge" which breaks out to...
Quantity / Unit - 20 065.23
Rate - 4.5%
Charge - $902.94
I understand the charge part. Smiler What does the Quantity and Rate mean?

Quantity is $20,065.23 at a 4.5% rate = $902.94

So, you're paying a 4.5% insurance rate (which seems pretty high for any insurance) on $20,065.23. I would send an email or call whomever gave you this quote and get clarification. Is it in US$? Don't underestimate the possibility that they've made a simple calculation error and will happily pocket the "extra" if you pay it. I recently got my quote for shipping, etc and just sent an email asking for clarification on what each charge was, and how it was calculated, and they came back with about $300 that they had added "by mistake."

TT,

I will contact the shippers and discuss this with them.

Thanks for the information.

Sherrill

My trophies arrived on Friday. I thought I would close the loop on this story....

Thanks everybody for your recommendation to pick this up myself. Everyone in USFWS, Customs, and Worldwide Flight Services were nice and very helpful. The whole process was very easy.

Some details:
- The shipper kept in constant contact with me, via email, while my crate was being sent from J-berg to Baltimore.

- Delta Airlines also posted information on their website so that I could track the shipment. Just like UPS and FedEx.

- My crate was supposed to be delivered on Monday. Both the shipper and the USFWS said that their would be a delay. By Friday, I was getting nervous. Delta had nothing on their site. I contacted the shipper, the shipper provided a number to contact Worldwide Flight Services. I contacted them. My crate had just arrived.

- I called the US Fish and Wildlife Service at BWI and let them know that my trophies were there. They said that they would inspect the trophies and have everything ready for me. The agent had inspected the crate by the time I arrived. Everything was fine. The agent had also completed the paperwork. I only had to sign my name and I was done. I was with them for a total of 3-4 minutes. The agent sent me to customs, which was down the hall.

- I went to US Customs. I gave them the paperwork from the USFWS. The Customs' agent filled out some more paperwork and I had to pay a $9 processing fee. I had some questions about taking a rifle on a trip to Canada and we talked for a bit about that. The agent was very helpful. Altogether I spent about 15 - 20 minutes with them. They sent me to the warehouse.

- I went to Worldwide Flight Services. I gave them my paperwork. They also filled out some paperwork. I had to pay a $50 import fee for Delta Airlines. They loaded the crate on my trailer. The forklift driver helped push the crate to the front of the trailer. We shook hands and I was done. Total time was about 15 minutes. After tying the crate down on the trailer, I went home. My trophies look great!

That was the entire deal. After all the stories I had heard, this was a total let down. This was almost too easy.

Seriously though, after going through this... (I am probably overstating the obvious) If anyone has finished trophies being sent to the states, I would definitely recommend that they do the clearing themselves. There is no need to hire a clearing agent.

Thanks again!

Glad this went so well for you, Sherrill!