Bringing Home a Finished Zebra Rug in Suitcase??

[Shakka]

Hello Fellas, I will be traveling to Zimbabwe in a few months where I have a fully finished Zebra Rug waiting for me with export papers filled out.

My question is am I allowed to bring it home with me to the USA in an extra suitcase?
The taxidermist said yes, but I want to be sure.

Any tourist can buy a Zebra Rug in the Airport in Jo'berg as a souvenir and bring it home so I can't see why I would have a problem

What do you think??

 

[wesheltonj]

I am unaware on any problems, other than overweight fees

 

[buck wild]

I cant speak to Zim but I was one of those that brought one home from SA in my carry on.

 

[Shakka]

Thanks so much fellas!!

Yea i'm going to go for it

 

[superdutch]

Can I expand on the OPs original question - I have heard that there is a hide and skull treatment and drying period (I seem to recall 90 days) to import skulls and hides into the US. However, I understand that ibex and marco polo hunters generally bring back their skulls and capes, and those are often 7 to 14 day hunts, and was told it just needed to be salted and dry. What is the rule on importation of capes hides skulls and horn etc?

 

[Ryan]

Concerning the OP's question, shouldn't be an issue since it is a completed, chrome tanned hide.


@superdutch you are asking a big question. It depends on the species, country and that countries status concerning diseases. Ruminants, such as sheep you mentioned fall under different requirements than equids (zebra) or swine.

Concerning what CBP Agriculture is looking at it's based on the Trophies section (3-20) of the Animal Products Manual.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/apm.pdf

In case of sheep drying time doesn't matter so much as it needs to be clean of flesh and salted "flint dry". If not dry it would have to go to an approved facility for another dip. Same with the skull. A fresh one straight back from a hunt with flesh on it would have to go to an approved facility, a cleaned one may not.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I brought finished springbok and oryx flatskins back through Dulles, no problem. I did declare them on the customs forms. I had receipts from the taxidermy shop but wasn't asked for them.

 

[mark-hunter]

On johamesburgh airport i have seen zebra skins and springbok skins on sale. I dont see problems in taking them.home, otherwise they would not bee sold to international travellers.

 

[superdutch]

Concerning the OP's question, shouldn't be an issue since it is a completed, chrome tanned hide.


@superdutch you are asking a big question. It depends on the species, country and that countries status concerning diseases. Ruminants, such as sheep you mentioned fall under different requirements than equids (zebra) or swine.

Concerning what CBP Agriculture is looking at it's based on the Trophies section (3-20) of the Animal Products Manual.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/apm.pdf

In case of sheep drying time doesn't matter so much as it needs to be clean of flesh and salted "flint dry". If not dry it would have to go to an approved facility for another dip. Same with the skull. A fresh one straight back from a hunt with flesh on it would have to go to an approved facility, a cleaned one may not.

Thanks Ryan, your response and link are helpful!

 

[barbells.and.arrows]

I bought a few purses made of springbok hide in Jo'berg, and they supplied some paperwork in case customs on the US side was being cranky. Just make sure you have the accompanying paper work from the taxidermist in case they want to be sticklers.