Cost to import trophies from Europe compared to South Africa

[Sabre]

For anyone that has hunted and imported trophies from both South Africa and Europe how did the costs compare?

Specifically I'm wondering about the 6 British deer species.

I am in the early planning stages of a trip to go over and hunt for the 6 British deer and am wondering how difficult or expensive the importation of the trophies after the fact is.

Thanks for any info anyone can provide.

 

[Throwback]

ive done both but please specify, exporting from uk or which country in continental europe? in general, my bill seems to be less from europe but its less animals than from africa. ive also had taxid done in in italy and shipped as a done product vs s africa where i did dip and pack.

 

[375Fox]

I can’t speak specifically to the UK, but Shipping from Europe to US has been considerably less expensive for me. My last two shipments from Romania in 2024 and Spain in 2022 were $750 and $808. Clearing has been less expensive as well.

I’ve also just brought clean roe deer skulls back in my bag and declared to customs on arrival.

 

[Sabre]

I can’t speak specifically to the UK, but Shipping from Europe to US has been considerably less expensive for me. My last two shipments from Romania in 2024 and Spain in 2022 were $750 and $808. Clearing has been less expensive as well.

I’ve also just brought clean roe deer skulls back in my bag and declared to customs on arrival.

I was wondering about that too as far as bringing cleaned skulls back in luggage if they can get them done quickly.

I also am not opposed to splitting the skull caps on larger antlered animals to make the shipment smaller if it makes a huge difference.

I kind of figured it might be cheaper just because less animals in the shipment. But with Africa sometimes that doesn't make that big of a difference either. Feels like an economy of scales type situation with Africa sometimes.

 

[Throwback]

ive brought back roe deer skulls and antlers in checked baggage. legally you should declare on arrival, ill say no more. i think practically you may find it a tight timeline to get boiled and cleaned up in time. it is cheaper for sure if you have the time and room. in general, europe cheaper than africa for exports imo.

 

[UKHunter]

It takes about 45-60mims to boil and clean a skull. Depending on length of your trip you shouldn’t have issues having that done and taking them back in your luggage

 

[375Fox]

I was wondering about that too as far as bringing cleaned skulls back in luggage if they can get them done quickly.

I also am not opposed to splitting the skull caps on larger antlered animals to make the shipment smaller if it makes a huge difference.

I kind of figured it might be cheaper just because less animals in the shipment. But with Africa sometimes that doesn't make that big of a difference either. Feels like an economy of scales type situation with Africa sometimes.

I’m not sure if any of the introduced deer species fall under CITES I’d make sure of that before bringing them in your luggage.

I think European shipping is considerably cheaper because European trophies aren’t the emotional issue African trophies are and more airlines will carry them.

 

[Green Chile]

I can’t speak specifically to the UK, but Shipping from Europe to US has been considerably less expensive for me. My last two shipments from Romania in 2024 and Spain in 2022 were $750 and $808. Clearing has been less expensive as well.

I’ve also just brought clean roe deer skulls back in my bag and declared to customs on arrival.

To give perspective to others, some of your shipments from Europe have been a lot more than a couple of roe deer. On the shipments you quoted, how many roe skulls were included...a dozen or more? I ask because most clients will not be bringing back as much as you did...thus their shipping should be even less.

 

[375Fox]

To give perspective to others, some of your shipments from Europe have been a lot more than a couple of roe deer. On the shipments you quoted, how many roe skulls were included...a dozen or more? I ask because most clients will not be bringing back as much as you did...thus their shipping should be even less.

The two shipments I quoted were an ibex and 4 roe deer skulls on plaques from Spain and 3 large fallow deer skulls on plaques from Romania. Most of my roe deer I’ve gotten back in other ways. I was expecting the fallow deer shipping to be considerably more because they took up a lot of volume, but thankfully wasn’t. Clearing through customs broker was unfortunately more than the shipping, but is what it is.

 

[Spearhead]

I can’t speak specifically to the UK, but Shipping from Europe to US has been considerably less expensive for me. My last two shipments from Romania in 2024 and Spain in 2022 were $750 and $808. Clearing has been less expensive as well.

I’ve also just brought clean roe deer skulls back in my bag and declared to customs on arrival.

@375Fox any issues bringing cleaned skulls back in your bags with customs?

 

[375Fox]

@375Fox any issues bringing cleaned skulls back in your bags with customs?

I was scolded slightly that it’s not the proper way to do things but not really. There is an American in the polish hunting club I hunted with that does it more regularly and has never had an issue. I will say though I’ve taken a lot of roe deer and was prepared to abandon them if I had to (although I wouldn’t be happy about it). Avoiding the shipping and customs broker charges was worth the risk to me.

 

[Sabre]

I was scolded slightly that it’s not the proper way to do things but not really. There is an American in the polish hunting club I hunted with that does it more regularly and has never had an issue. I will say though I’ve taken a lot of roe deer and was prepared to abandon them if I had to (although I wouldn’t be happy about it). Avoiding the shipping and customs broker charges was worth the risk to me.

When the shipping and brokerage charges on a lot of these trips are getting close to paying for an entire other hunting trip, it starts to feel pretty ridiculous.