I wanted to post on here for anyone who is curious about clearing your own trophies instead of using a customs broker. I just finished picking up my trophies from our June hunt with Spear Safaris, and it could not have been easier. I got word last Thursday that my shipment had arrived, and I went onto the US Fish and Wildlife website to fill out an 'e declaration' which I submitted to the San Francisco office. They advised me yesterday that my declaration had been accepted and I could come claim my shipment anytime. I went down this morning, and between FWS, USDA for the warthog and US Customs, they had me in and out of there in about 30 minutes between the 3 agencies, and that included time driving between their offices. I found everyone to be friendly, professional and efficient, which was a pleasant surprise in dealing with that many federal agencies.

The company that Spear Safaris uses for trophy preparation is Trophy Solutions Africa (TSA), located in Polokwane. They did a fantastic job of preparing the skulls and capes. We just opened the crate and I'm very impressed with how clean and well packed everything is. TSA sent my crates to Professional Trophy Exports, who forwarded everything along via SwissAir to San Francisco. We just finished unpacking the crates, and the skulls and horns are so clean that my son took the impala, kudu and nyala and put the skulls with horns in our game room just as they are. Other than the smell of mothballs, they're clean enough to leave in the room just like they are until they go to the taxidermist.

If you're hunting in Limpopo, I highly recommend Trophy Solutions Africa, Professional Trophy Exports, and of course...Spear Safaris. All three did a great job for us.

Great news!
I've been trying to figure out how to clear mine myself. I was mainly worried about the warthogs, but you have given me hope!

Good to here;

I did mine in NY.It wasn't horrible,but I had more issues with the attitudes of both the freight and gov't employees.Guess I can chalk that up to a NYC thing,no one wanted to be very helpful.

My friend is fighting the good fight here in South Florida with USFWS, Customs et al. Shipment arrived on the 9th, storage charges at $40/day accrue beginning the 11th. USFWS refused paperwork after 12PM on Monday the 15th, had to return to tender Tuesday 16th before noon (90 miles round trip). They informed him they have up to 3 days to inspect, they will contact him when done. Not a "bad" attitude, but not cordial either he said. When he asked about the process after that, they said he had to take the form to Customs then they had the same time window and would contact him when it was done. Looks like $500 or more in storage and several trips before he's done. I'm thinking "Photo Trophies" more and more...

My trophys came in late last month from my safari in Namibia in late August.

I am having the Taxidermy done by Wildlife Gallery and had the trophy shipment sent to Chicago. I utilized D&L custom house brokerage firm and their charges were $420.00.

This was an easy hassle free process and think the procees was worth the cost. With your time, hassle, and transporation costs and storage fees that are assessed, it may be even cheaper.

Steve H. & 470drshooter, interesting .

From our experience it is not worth the hassle if something goes wrong and it is just a matter of time and the luck of the draw before someting goes off track.

There are a lot of good people in USFW and US Customs. Remember you are dealing with government employees who are subject to transfer or shift change or who may misplace a sheet of paper or somone who can care less. It only takes one. Some far away Customs person can make a mistake,use the wrong stamp,seal or'who knows what',then you have an expensive problem.

Several years ago with all our paper in proper order it was almost 3 months
to clear. I was not chaged a dime storage. Steve H. mentions $40 bucks a day storage. Forty bucks a day would have wiped out all the money we would have saved doing it on our own over the years. We did not have to worry or make one call or any additional paperwork. Deal with a professionals.

One buys insurance on travel,tickets,emergency care and evacuation so why not on this potentual liablity? Not using a customs broker is akin to being self insured for emergency evacuation. In this case one is taking on the risk of time, frustration, storage fees, learning to deal with a bureaucracy.

My observation on doing yourself is... it is like Russian roulette....it will happen.