The good news is that my trophies (skins and horns) from my hunt last May in Zimbabwe finally arrived in San Francisco yesterday.



The bad news is:

#1 The estimated bill upon shipping was $1509.00. The actual bill so far is 2309.17!! My buddy I went hunting with has been on 6 prior trips and the most his shipping ever was - $1400.



Itemized charges: Charges to SFO: 1679.87

Disbursment Fee: 33.60

Import Service Fee: 85.00

Customs/USDA Clearance: 245.00

Airline Charges (handling 125.00

& storage)

Delivery Charges to

Taxidermist 140.70

TOTAL (SO FAR) $2309.17



#2 Since I have baboons/vervet monkeys enclosed, I have to get an "Application for Permit to Import or Transport Agents or Vectors of Human Disease" approved. This can take up to 15 days and I have a storage fee of $25.00 per day until it is received! This application wasn't necessary when I went on my safari, and only since the SARS shit hit the fan, are they pursuing it. My broker is trying to get Fish & Game to allow the shipment to go directly to an approved FDA Tannery without having to store it all. He said it all depends on the Inspector.



Ain't life grand? Jeff

Not to throw any gas on your fire, but the application from the CDC with respect to the Baboons and Monkeys was a requirement from at least when I hunted Zimbabwe in October 2001. I got lucky and was able to get a helpful person on the phone (in Atlanta, GA I believe) from the CDC. Had my certificate in less than 2 days.

Your post is very helpful and timely as Mark "N'gagi" Jackson and I are scheduled to hunt Zim again this August 2004 and will have to deal with the shipping issue again.

For what it is worth, last time my stuff arrived about 10 months following my October 2001 trip. I had it shipped to Los Angeles and my total bill was under $900. It include skulls & skins of cape buffalo, kudu, waterbuck, baboons, warthog, 2 impala, klipspringer, grysbuck.

Sorry to hear about the problems you are having. Good luck.

Tim

This always seems to be the most problematic part of a safari!

I had a baboon skull in this past shipment that arrived in October and as far as I am aware there was no delays caused by it nor extra fees.

I just got off the phone with some rump ranger from the CDC. I wonder how he held the phone with a limp wrist like that. The gist of our convo was: "I'm sorry..we can't do anything for you. You have to submit a request in writing to expedite your request. Serves you right for shooting poor defenseless creatures."



I then politely asked to speak with his supervisor, and got her voice mail. Stay tuned...film at 11. Jeff

Wow that sucks Jeff!!

C

Oh Carmelo you should now all about that!

Way back in 1997 I needed to apply to the CDC for a permit to import baboon skulls. Haven't done any since but there were as I recall special packaging requirements also. Seems like the law is applied unevenly.

No herr fuhrer.
I might learn about it after my 45-70 stomps some D/G in Namibia but I am not the expert as of yet.
I am sure there are quite a few PH's here that can teach us Americans about getting robbed their hard earned cash in Africa though.
C

Jeff- Please keep us posted on the baboon dilemma. It is an animal I have on my list this coming May but maybe, depending on what you find out, bringing one back won't be worth it. Thanks.

Jeff,

Having to pay more than you expected is always a hard pill to swallow. I always leave the shipping etc. to my taxidermist. He gives me his tags to attach to the horns, capes etc. and the next thing I hear is that the trophies are in the US and he needs a check for the shipping. He handles everything including tracking the shipment, dealing with the broker, customs and getting me lined out on CITES, CDC it is just part of the service.

A taxidermist that specializes in Africa can save you major headaches and unpleasant surprises. Also a good agent should offer to set you up with a taxidermist that has the expertise to organize the things I mentioned.

Sorry,

Mark

Carmelo,
Where/when in Namibia are you hunting? With whom are you hunting? I will be there the middle of September but just for plains game, no DG. Bob

Jeff.....looks like your bill is padded a little. Airlines handling and storage fee ???? Delivery to taxidermist fee ?? Disbursement fee ???? Import fee ???

If the taxidermist you had the trophies shipped to is doing your mounts most of this should be included in his listed price for each animal.

I would be unhappy with this and certainly raise a stink.

I too ran into the same higher shipping cost out of Namibia. Check my post.

rslus

BTT