Customs Broker and Clearing Agent for Midwest

[Hemingway's Karl]

We just finished our second safari and decided that we were going to utilize Trophy Solutions in South Africa for taxidermy purposes (we utilized Conroe Taxidermy for our previous trip). Since I'm having the taxidermy finished in Africa and sent here, without using a U.S. taxidermist as a middleman, I was curious if this changes what customs port and customs agent we should use. We're based in Kansas City, but we previously utilized a customs broker in Houston because we used Conroe Taxidermy last time. I'm assuming the customs broker facilitates freight shipping once receiving the goods, so if that's the case, it may make sense to utilize a customs broker in closer proximity to my home.

I'm just trying to figure out the logistics and the proper protocol in this case (without paying out of the nose for unnecessary shipping).

I believe Chicago and Denver are the closest "ports of entry" for me in Kansas City. Has anyone worked with a customs broker from either city that they would recommend? Please and thank you!

 

[Fatback]

I used D&L CHB out of Chicago last year for the animals from my 2022 safari. It was a dip and pack and not finished taxidermy but they did a great job for me. I had a baboon skull on that shipment and they handled it without issue. I have also used Coppersmiths a few times and they have also always done a good job.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I used Trophy Shippers through Chicago without issues last year. Chicago is a pay by weight instead of days (I think up to 2 weeks). That helped keep my cost down because I had a smaller crate.

 

[sureshot375]

I used Coppersmiths out of Chicago when inner things sent to a place in the Midwest.

I had a good experience. I’ve used them in Atlanta for many years.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

contact Laura at Coppersmiths in Chicago she will take care of you and try to avoid Turkish Airlines to Chicago as they will hit you with a 348.00 per day storage till Agriculture clears the shipment so Coppersmiths can move it to their warehouse for F&W and customs to clear

 

[JimP]

I'll vote for Safari Specialty Importers.

It doesn't matter just where your trophies are cleared, the big thing is that the importer has a bonded warehouse to store them in if needed instead of being at the mercy of the airlines.

My last shipment came into NY and was cleared there. They then shipped them to Denver and then ground shipped them to my home 120 miles away.

 

[Scott CWO]

Definitely Chicago. Turkish doesn’t fly direct to Denver and I only live two hours from Denver. Denver is also not an approved USFWS port of entry unless you get a special exemption. I’ve heard issues with Coppersmith’s so I used D&L CHB without issue.

 

[Hemingway's Karl]

Thanks everyone for the awesome feedback! All this is very helpful and appreciated.