on importing raw trophies??

Let me see if I can explain. This morning I got a fax from Namibia saying our trophies are ready to ship. So having always in the past used Pattie with Coppersmiths Atlanta office, I thought I better give her a call. Well it turns out Pattie is no longer with the Atlanta office so I talked to Lyndsey (I think thats her name) and told her what was going on, we are having 4 sets of horns and skulls, plus 2 capes shipped. I then said in order to save some money I would rather pick them up in Atlanta myself rather than paying to have them shipped to my office in Alabama. At this point Lyndsey said as per federal rules all raw trophies have to be shipped to an approved taxidermists and I couldn't pick them up myself. Is this true???

Mark,

It's been that way since at least 2005. I used Patti and Coppersmith to clear the Buffalo I shot in Zim in 2004. The cape and skull arrived in early 2005. I had it sent to my taxidermist and the next thing I new the Dept of Agriculture was calling me raising hell because my taxidermist was not approved. They threatened to fine me, seize my trophy etc, but getting the taxidermist approved was the easiest option, and only cost about $400.00. Now anything I get can go straight to him with no problem. This year I had a warthog cape and skull and another buffalo skull cleared by Lindsey at Coppersmith in Atlanta, sent to my taxidermist with no problems. Ain't red tape fun???

Mark,

Have them shipped to an approved taxidermist close to the atlanta airport.

I just brought in trophies from Namibia into NY. I could have picked up the trophies once they were cleared. Just so happened the taxi was going down to collect some other stuff so he picked my shipment as well! So not sure what this is all about...

quote:

Originally posted by 1115:
Ain't red tape fun???

Ah...NO

Is your guy near Atlanta??? Think he would be willing to help out?

I think Mark is asking a very valid question...have the rules changed? In years gone by I have picked my stuff up directly at Chicago. I know there are some different rules for pigs (warthogs) and certainly for baboons. Are we talking for plains game stuff too?

Mark, email me direct (mattnormanATcomcast.net) concerning my previous three dealings with Coppersmith.

quote:

Originally posted by mark65x55:
on importing raw trophies??

Let me see if I can explain. This morning I got a fax from Namibia saying our trophies are ready to ship. So having always in the past used Pattie with Coppersmiths Atlanta office, I thought I better give her a call. Well it turns out Pattie is no longer with the Atlanta office so I talked to Lyndsey (I think thats her name) and told her what was going on, we are having 4 sets of horns and skulls, plus 2 capes shipped. I then said in order to save some money I would rather pick them up in Atlanta myself rather than paying to have them shipped to my office in Alabama. At this point Lyndsey said as per federal rules all raw trophies have to be shipped to an approved taxidermists and I couldn't pick them up myself. Is this true???

My tropies from Sep of 2005 went through Atlanta and on to St Louis with my taxidermist being the receiver. I also had a Warthog which makes things more complicated. I received a call from Atlanta Customs or Agriculture and they wanted to have the information on my taxidermist. I told them his name and address and they looked it up on their computer and told me he was approved. My taxidermist told me it is a money thing. Give them $400 and the state vet comes by every year to certify him. I picked my trophies up in St Louis but I took a letter from my taxidermist stating I was his representive. Customs did not ask for the letter.

If you can sort out what the real rules are, let me know. I personally imported my last set of throphies from RSA (2002?)

When checking before this trip (to TZ) I was strongly advised to use Coppersmith, so I did. I am getting a warthog imported, which definitely needs to go to a licensed taxidermist.

Here are the regulations copied off of SCI web site. About halfway down you see Trophies from areas free from BSE, not fully taxidermy finished allowed entry if consigned to an approved establishment, I guess that means USDA approved.

Guidelines for the Importation of Ruminant Trophies

For U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspections Services, Veterinary Services purposes, a trophy is part of the animal carcass that can be used as a remembrance/souvenir of “the hunt†that is suitable for mounting and for personal use only, no further distribution is allowed.

For this guidance document, trophies consist of bones, antlers, skulls, horns and hoofs (with or without bony attachments).

* Leather, tanned, and flint-dried hides and skins are allowed unrestricted entry.

* Unprocessed hides, skins, and horns (without bony attachments) are allowed entry if consigned to an approved establishment.*

* Clean, dry hoofs (without bony attachments) may be imported if they meet USDA requirements for disinfection and are accompanied by a certificate issued by the country of origin.**

* Trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) derived from ruminants originating from regions classified as affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) are allowed importation into the U.S. provided:
o The trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) are fully taxidermy finished.

o The trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) are not fully taxidermy finished, but are clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are offered for consignment to museums.

o The trophies (bones, antlers, skulls, and horns and hoofs with bony attachments) are not fully taxidermy finished but are clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are not offered for consignment to museums; are manifested as a trophy and consigned to an approved establishment.*

º A copy of the hunting license or other documentation that conclusively demonstrates lawful possession of a game animal from the country of origin issued by the foreign government is presented at the U.S. port of entry. The hunting license or other documentation that conclusively demonstrates lawful possession of a game animal from the country of origin shall identify the animal species and correspond to the number of animals harvested.

*

Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs) derived from ruminants originating from regions classified as free from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) are allowed importation into the U.S. provided:
o Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs), are allowed unrestricted entry provided the trophies are fully taxidermy finished.

o Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs) that are not fully taxidermy finished, but are clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are offered for entry as trophies are allowed entry if consigned to an approved establishment* or if for consignment to museums.
o Trophies (bones, skulls, and/or attached horns, antlers, and hoofs) that are not clean, dry, and free from undried pieces of hide, flesh, and sinew and are offered for entry as trophies are allowed entry if for consignment to museums or consigned to an approved establishment* are allowed entry.

*The approved establishment shall handle these trophies in such a manner to guard against the dissemination of anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and rinderpest.

**Disinfection includes one of the following methods: (1) dry heat at 180`F (82.2`C) for 30 minutes; (2) soaking in boiling water for 20 minutes; (3) soaking in a 0.1% chlorine bleach solution for 2 hours; (4) soaking in a 5% acetic acid solution for 2 hours; (5) soaking in a 5% hydrogen peroxide for 2 hours.

Full taxidermy finished refers to the prepared, stuffed, and/or mounted part of the dead animal for exhibition as completed by a taxidermist.

No warthogs in this shipment...

I'm not sure when or if the rules have changed but I do know that in early 2005 Coppersmith would ship trophies direct to the hunter.

Anyone know of another importer in Atlanta I could talk to?

Mark,
The rules have not changed, this has been in affect for a couple of years, the powers that be just weren't enforcing it, BUT now they are enforcing it. ALL ruminants(basicly this means all plains game and buffalo) must be assigned to a USDA approved facility. If the broker does his job correctly you won't be able to pickup your trophies anymore, and you can't get the approved facility whether it be a Taxidermist or tannery to just except them and then take them home. The skins HAVE to be treated or tanned before you can posess them. If we don't follow the rules the trophies can be confiscated and good luck getting them back.