I just got my 10 heads in from my june hunt in Namibia today. They came in a cardboard box. My
Eland and black wildebeest were broken to the point I can 't do a full face euro mount any sugestions on what to do with them. Is it common to have a shipment arive in cardboard?

JD

Man I hate to hear that!! Mine are to leave RSA this Friday. Can you tell us who did the dip/pack and also who was the shipping company?

Wish I had better info regarding saving the trophies.

Good Luck!!

I wish to give them a chance to make it right
before I name names.

JD

To cut a long story short //

Here is an email from our Zambia taxidermist which I rec'd about three weeks ago.

I was (under the impression) that ALL taxidermist packaged consignements from Africa had to comply with the new wooden crate regulations - ISPM 15 ..... although it does not actually say you have to use wood for crates, I would have though that was basic COMMON SENSE ?

Regards, Peter
---------------------------

( copy of the email I rec'd)

Good news! We have been able to comply with the above and all our crates will bear the new stamp.

There will be delay of one week on orders that we have not built crates for yet as we will be getting heat treated pine strips stamped at the factory.

The bulk of our crate is 16mm and 6mm particle board which is non-regulated by the above as the manufacturing process is, in itself heat treated. Best Regards.
---------------------------------------

AR guests This might be of interest for the future !!

Wood Packaging regulations

JD;
Very interesting post. I just received my trophies from Namibia, in a similar condition. Cardboard box, trophies not secured. Box looked like a tree had fallen on it. Packing material falling out of corners.
Missing parts.....
Springbok, european skull.
Warthog, missing tusks.
Hartebeest, european mount, broken skull.
I'm in the same position, still dealing with insurance so can't mention names.
When its over, you can bet I will mention names.
They will either make it right, or I will "bad mouth" them till I die.
We need to keep this thread alive, I hate it when I get screwed by anybody.
As soon as things clear out, I intend to post a complete report with pictures.

Balla:
The U.S.A changed the dates for the wood deal. The new date is Jan. 1. 2006. Until then they will notify the shipper of the new regs.

I'm with Peter on this one - just seems like common sense that skulls and rock-hard dried hides would not survive a 8,000 mile plus trip in a cardboard box!!! This shipping "problem" is a new one on me - I don't remember any previous posts quite like this.

Will be interesting to hear what the folks who did the dip/pack and shipping have to say - and more importantly what they do about it.

Please let us know how things turn out!!!!

Phil

I use Dip and Pack Africa. They have a web site and are located in RSA. My taxidermist couldn't believe how well they were packed. He was thrilled at the quality of there shipement. A strong crate made out of 2x4's and heavy plywood. It was well worth the money, but they are not that expensive so I was thrilled. Sorry for the tough luck.

JD

I am very concerned about your trophies and we need to collectively try to help you as best.

I personally would contact the NPHA and ask them firstly if there are some basic common sense packaging requirements and regulations pertaining to exporting hunting trophies from Nambia. If you want I have the contact email for someone well respected and one of the top safari operators in Nambia whom is also the joint hunting ombudsman, he may be able to help towards some resolution I believe as he has contacts even in government

I was trying to find the NPHA website but they seem to have gone wonkey and off air, although thet do have an email contact shown to try: napha@mweb.com.na

Regards, Peter

Balla:
Thanks. I will contact Napha when the nut cuttin is done. I have a friend who has an "in" with them.
I paid 321 Euro for one crate and 327 Euro for the other. Both looked like they were made from a conglomeration of refrigerator shipping crates.
They were held together by banding. When we cut the banding in Anchorage, the crates fell apart! The packing material, (shredded paper), was falling out of the corners.
I have 2 very bad photos. They were bad because I was shaking so much with anger.

I'll try to post a pic of the carton in question.

TJ

That is b...shit packaging,

IMHO the guy whom did that or considered it OK for international freight consignment should have been strung up at birth.

Let me know if you dont get satisfaction and I will give you the contact person I mentioned

We wont let this die a natural death, we must get to the bottom of it in the interests of fair practice

Peter

Peter:
Thank you. I appreciate that.
I agree. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Tanzania exporters of trophies are facing the same problem. all wooden crates need to be fumigated with Methol Bromide or heat treated in accordance with international regulations and a internationally racognised stamp to certify the treatment has to be placed on each wooden crate. That sounds easy except:

1- Methol Bromide is on the list of "banned" substances of the WHO.
2- Scarcity of Methol Bromide (MB) in the country.
3- Very few companies are "licensed" to fumigate using a "dangerous substance" (MB). these are charging premium prices taking advantage of this fact.
4- The Nastional body that deals with the certification DOES NOT have the required internationally recognised stamp nor are they too bothered in getting one.

Soo alternatives are heavy duty cardboard boxes (Not like those shown in TJ's picture) , metal trunks, etc. Nothing is getting easier

Bwanamich:
The wood thing does not go into effect until Jan 1, 2006.

It's a total bunch of bull shit!
But read the info, the U.S. is not totally at fault for this crap. It's a world wide thing.
Buncha Greenie crap.

I hate to hear this! Such a waste! I just hope the insurance will cover your losses...

I've had shipments from RSA (LifeForm Taxidermy) all in heavy wood crates of 1/2" plywood & 1x3's with long wood screws. Inner pack in cardboard boxes with shrink film wrap to protect against moisture. Any complaints I have had have come due to the taxidermist not following my instructions.

Another reason to consider photos/videos verses the cost and aggravation of trophy shipments...

I ship stuff worldwide in crates. Just use particle board and you won't have any trouble. I'm not too sure how available that stuff is in Africa though.

My one and only trophy shipment from South Africa was done by the taxidermist Life Form and it was very well done. There was a shoulder mount of a Kudu as well as several Euroshield mounts and skins. I have no complaints, sturdy wooden crate. Shipping was arranged by Safari Air Cargo to my home in France.

I can't believe anybody would send the trophies in cardboard. I would be pissed. All my shipments have arrived in wooden crates. I haven't been real happy with the time involved a couple of times, but shipping in cardboard is ridiculous. Please name names.

It makes me sick reading your stories...

that really sucks guys...

This is really unbelievable. You cannot expect that a cardboard box must withstand heavy handeling over such a distance and so many transfer points. All crates must be made out of wood. The corect gradeof timber is available in RSA. Although the USA moved the implementation date the new rule already aplies in other countries. Australia for one is very strict on any wooden product that is imported to them.

For once the greenies is not involved, it is all about the distribution of deseases and insects.

I can recomend Safare Africa Cargo. They know what they do and they know the regulations world wide.