Higher fees for transporting trophies during Covid?

[Markopolo50]

My trophies are still in Zimbabwe and my PH says the fees to transport are higher than normal. My first trip and of course my first experience with shipping. Quoted $2400 for one cape buffalo and two Impala's. That is to get it to Chicago. Is that normal? Thanks for replies

 

[MMAL]

Dip and Pack or for completed animals? If just dip pack, yes it is high, in 2018 I paid $800 to get my five animals from Zim to SA, to join my family's 7 animals. All finished shoulder mounts or European. Then I paid $2,900 to get them into the usa without the customs broker cost. It is suppose to go on size of crate and weight and thus by my example it looks to be high for the three animals. Not sure what the alternative is, other than getting another shipping quote. Not sure why the PH is quoting shipping to you either. Get a quote from a broker directly.

 

[375Fox]

There are so few international flights flying now the air freight is expensive. My usual cost was around half that out of South Africa or Namibia with a lot more trophies. Not sure when you shot these, but you could possibly discuss with the shipper waiting longer to let more flights open up and hopefully prices come down.

 

[TROPHY SHIPPERS]

Hello sir!

Yes that is going to be pretty accurate for the current time. It is quite expensive but I expect it to be that way for quite a while. We would love to help clear your trophies in Chicago and can deliver them to you or your taxidermist. Pick up at our warehouse is always an option as well! Congrats on the hunt!

-Tom

 

[Ryan]

Unfortunately, yes. I live in Alaska and normally I'd have said I'd pay around $2K-$2500 for my big shipment of five completed trophies. Instead of a fairly straight shot across the US and up it had to go through San Fran,Seattle, get cleared by an agent (normally I can do it here and save several hundred dollars) and then put on a boat to Alaska it has pretty much doubled that.

 

[HWL]

I went over to take pictures only....... for the money I save, I shoot another animal.....

..do not look back....

 

[Markopolo50]

I already have them dipped and packed. They are at the transporter in Zimbabwe. The price was for the hides and horns of the three animals. I thought it was a high price and just inquired with the PH. He also agreed that it was probably higher because of the fewer international flights, as you have suggested also. They will hold the hides/horns but I would like to get them home. I believe I will wait for a while, but these were taken in June, 2019. Thanks for your help.