I just received and invoice from SCS in Gauteng SA for shipping my Box of Trophys which contains 1 Buffalo Skull & Hide for the amount of $1822.27 I feel this amount is more than a little high? Can anyone tell me if this is now the going rate, or is this figure somewhat inflated? I should add the Buff was shot in Tanzania and was shipped to SA.

I had a shipment received from SA in January containing 7 plains game trophies.

Here are the quotes sent prior to shipping:

Ocean Freight to the value of $1242.78
Airfreight to the value of $1594.97

These quotes included freight, departure fee, documentation fee CBP filing and X-Ray, insurance, facility (storage) fee, destination customs brokerage fee, and delivery to residence (tannery.) Each separate fee was broken out and itemized.

In total it looked like a large figure but when first seen. But, when I realized everything included, maybe it was not so far out of line after all.

Larrys01,

that does seem high. Are you using a shipping agent/customs broker in the US like Flora and Fauna or Coppersmith? These folks arrange all my stuff and clear the hurdles and have the ability to negotiate with the folks over the big pond.

My last shipment (which came in a few months ago), included three big guys and a few smaller ones came in at less than $1300 with all the shipping from RSA and to my taxiderist in Mich, and also included the agent/broker fees.

I'd ask for another quote or get an agent to handle the load. Good luck.

Dan
Yes, I'm using D & L in Chicago. They are supposed to call me tomorrow.
Larry

I don't know much about them but I'm sure you did your research and that is good. I would have them do the shipping negotiations. If the folks in RSA know that they are dealing with folks who know the real deal there should not be surprises.

dan

I just had them ship me 2 crates with Nyala, impala, bushbuck and waterbuck horns, capes and backskins. Cost about $750. All 4 were taken in RSA though. The import into RSA might add quite a bit to the price.

I have been told previously that it would cost +/-$1000 to import raw trophies from Zim to RSA for taxidermy so that Tanz-RSA import may be the real problem.

It might make sense to talk to Fauna & Flora in NYC! They do a lot with SCS in Johannesburg.
PHONE: (718) 977-7700 Talk to John Meehan!

Les

My trophies from my June 2008 hunt just arrived in Houston in the last two weeks. Shipment from Zim to RSA to Houston was just over $1000.

I looked into having our stuff shipped from Tanz to rsa for taxi then to us. The shipping from tanz to rsa ran almost as much as shipping from tanz to us.
that may be where the $$ add up.

We are also using D & L out of Chicago for our trophy shipment. We were told by D & L that the inflation of costs were due to rising fuel costs.

Our agent also had a shipping company quote our shipment out of South Africa and was 1000.00 more than Freight Consultants in Zim.

It seems to be the shipping companies that have all sorts of different prices.

Good luck with your shipment.

Linda Adams

Looks like the cost of trophy shipment from Tanzania to South Africa are already included in this quote. So considering that little leg to the whole trip, the final quote is probably not out of line.

Larrys01

Here is the number for John J Meehan III, he is the owner of Fauna and Flora, I would suggest you contact him for refference to a decent shipping agent in the RSA, I'm pretty sure he'll be able to help you with costs.

Phone: 718-977-7700 ext 111 or email: jjmeehan@faunaandflora.com

If it was in Namibia I could have helped you, unfortuanately I don't know anybody in the RSA.

Good Luck

Thanks to all who have responded. D & L is working on getting the price down within reason. The main problem is the shipping from Tanzania to SA. "$1054.69" If my Broker is unable to reslove this then I am inclined to tell them to let Tanzania keep the shipment. Tanzania is gouging people at a bad time seeing the state the economy is in. Between that and what little I see being done there about Poaching I doubt I will ever go back to Tanzania. There are a lot better deals to be had in other Countries.

They seem high to me but maybe I am reading this bill wrong.
This is the dip/pack, the shipment is $1140 but you can see I had a few more heads, skins and 2 crates. I made these arrangements through L. David Keith.
www.dipandpack.com]www.dipandpack.com[/url] State Vet Reg. Code: ZA 8/117
INVOICE TO: Frank Martinez Client #: 8268
3285 Highway 36 Date:
Hydesville Tel: 707-768-3467
CALIFORNIA 95547 Fax:
USA E-Mail: fmhydes@suddenlink.net
CONSIGNEE: Frank Martinez CLEARING AGENT: (if applicable)
Hunter Int'l Brokerage Services, Inc. Hunter International Brokerage Services, Inc.
4725 First Street, Suite 275 4725 First Street, Suite 275
Pleasanton Pleasanton
CALIFORNIA 94566 CALIFORNIA 94566
USA USA


This was for the shipping.
Dear Mr. Martinez,

The amount payable is US$1140.77. Payment can be done either by bank
transfer or credit card. I have attached both details.

Kind Regards
Kitty

Contact: Maria Felix Contact: Maria Felix
Tel: 925-417-5270 Tel: 925-417-5270
Fax: 925-417-0170 Fax: 925-417-0170
E-mail: meuropa@sbcglobal.net E-mail: meuropa@sbcglobal.net
# DESCRIPTION SKULL CAPE B/SKIN FULL/SKN FLAT/SKN FEET TAIL OTHER TOTAL
1 Blesbuck 36.50 36.50
2 Blesbuck 36.50 60.00 96.50
3 Bushbuck 36.50 60.00 96.50
4 Blesbuck 36.50 36.50
5 Impala 36.50 45.00 81.50
6 Gemsbuck 36.50 45.00 15.00 6.50 103.00
7 Black Wildebeest 36.50 36.50
8 Black Wildebeest 36.50 45.00 15.00 96.50
9 Black Wildebeest 36.50 36.50
10 Kudu 36.50 36.50
11 Kudu 36.50 45.00 15.00 96.50
12 Kudu 36.50 36.50
13 Springbuck 36.50 45.00 15.00 96.50
14 Steenbuck 36.50 45.00 81.50
15 Duiker 36.50 45.00 81.50
16 Impala 36.50 36.50
17 Warthog 36.50 45.00 81.50
18 Warthog 36.50 45.00 81.50
19 0.00
20 0.00
SUBTOTAL #1 $ 1 ,248.50
Crating 400.00
Nature Conservation Export Permit : Non-CITES Eastern Cape Province 45.00
Nature Conservation Export Permit : CITES 0.00
Nature Conservation Export Permit : TOPS Black Wildebeest 45.00
Veterinary Certificate 35.00
Additional Cost Separate Warthog Crating (USDA/CDC requirement) 50.00
Additional Cost Courier Charges for Export Documentation 75.00
Banking Charges - 5% 94.93
Value Added Tax (ONLY on 5% Banking Charges) 13.29
TOTAL Please take note that the currency of this invoice is US DOLLAR $ 2 ,006.71
dip to ship in 99 days
PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT THIS INVOICE DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING FEES
08 February 2009
Trophy Care cc T/A 2004/085924/23
trophy solutions africa

That don't seem so bad considering what all you have. Mine is just 1 crate with a Skull & Hide. I have another shipment coming from Namibia with multiple animals in it. My partner just got his bill from the same hunt with more in it than I have and it was around $800.00.

Is SCS Safari Cargo Services? If so, they work very closely with John Meehan. I would give him a call and make sure that the prices are accurate. He works very closely with Gideon at Safari Cargo.

I just received two quotes for two crates (350 lbs and 175 lbs) of 17 mounted animals from RSA. One quote was $2,200 and the other $2,100. The shipers are Logwin and SBS Logistics.

That sounds high from RSA. I would check with your Broker to see it that can be lowered. My partner is gettig 1 crate from Namibia for about $850.00 and it has over 15 animals in it.

I started to think it was high while reading reading this thread. I will see what I can do to knock it down some.

SBS Quote:
Airfreight to Dallas based on Delta service via Atlanta - $ 2092.12 transit time 5 days



Airfreight $ 1485.91

Departure fee $ 148.59

Cartage $ 80.00

Fuel and security $ 168.00

Communication $ 35.00

Export docs $ 60.00

Facility fee $ 99.62

Total $ 2077.12

I have a crate that should arrive in New York Harbor this week from SCS, arranged thru F&F.

$2141.00 delivered to my door. The quote was roughly $900.00 more via Air Cargo...

This is for 10 plains game mounts - all shoulder except a full body Duiker. (kudu, Gembok, Blesbok, Impala, etc...

The specifics:

General information pertaining to this Estimate
Vat Subtotal 2141.93
Total
Marine Insurance : US$24000 /
City : New York Port/
No of Packages: 1 Case 186x96x107 cms / Actual Mass: : 148 Kg (Verified) / Chargeable
Mass: 318 Kg (Verified) / Contents: Sport hunted animal game trophies /
The above estimate includes all destination charges such as Customs Brokerage fees and
delivery costs to residence. This estimate is valid for 30 Days from time of issue. Note shouldbe taken that a Charges Collect fee will be charged by the receiving Agent / Broker if the
shipment departs on a "Charges Collect" basis. / (Elana)
Conditions

I know F&F received a shipment from a cargo ship this week... Good luck...

Mike

The ship was due in the 28th - I'm waiting for the email!!!

You guys make me feel stupid. I just received a shipment of trophies and the shipping and document fees ended up costing me about $2500 from Windhoek to Oregon.

The trophies included:

Burchell Zebra, shoulder mount
Greater Kudu, shoulder mount
Blue Wildebeest, shoulder mount
Oryx, shoulder mount
Springbok, shoulder mount
Warthogs (2), skull and tusks
Blue Wildebeest, skull and horns
Zebra backskin
Zebra hooves
Scrotums (3)
Plaques and medals

I need to find a less costly shipper before my next shipment. The only savings for me was that I cleared the shipment through US Customs and Fish and Wildlife myself. That cost me $35 for the receiving warehouse.

Namibiahunter

Update: After rejecting the shipment twice the Safari Operator became involved. Turns out the shipment did not need to go to South Africa, but could go British Airways "Frieght Collect" at a considerbly lesser price. Now i don't need to Wire Money to SA. My Broker will take care of receiving it in Chicago, Bill me, and forward it to my Taxidermist in Omaha all for less money than the original Invoice.I don't know why this was not the original plan, but I suspect somebody had there fingers in the cookie jar. I guess the lesson here is to clear these things with the Safari Operator before or during the Hunt!