Limpopo Export Permit issues

[cgdemakis]

Is anyone having difficulty getting their finished taxidermy from hunts in Limpopo to have export paperwork approved? I have finished plains game, nothing CITIES but a warthog and monkey involved, and am going on 2 years since the hunt and a few months of waiting on paperwork. I have heard that Limpopo is having major issues/backlog but I am wondering if anyone else is having these issues and if their is truth to that.

 

[Green Chile]

Swine and monkeys are the issue for USDA regulations. Adding any of that to an import shipment will cause extra work, delays, fees, etc. It's not an issue on the Africa side...it's the US side.

 

[shootist~]

My crate from June 2023 Limpoppo hunt arrived in the US (DFW) July 2024 and included a finished warthog shoulder mount. There were no delays.

Bullseye Taxidermy and their designated shipper handled the African side and Coppersmith did the US side.

 

[luger6]

At the end of May I have also been waiting two years for my things from hunting in Limpopo. The last two months my stuff has been with the company that will ship the crate to Europe. They say they are waiting for some export permit. This is the last time I will bring anything home from Africa, it is neither worth the money nor the trouble.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

We went in April of 23,
Had everything home January of 24.
Included 2 warthog skulls on plaques

 

[Hunt anything]

Who is the taxidermist and exporter?

 

[ActionBob]

Who is the taxidermist and exporter?

And Outfitter.... those 3 are place to look for the problems

 

[migrabill]

Left Limpopo in June of 2024. Had 2 Warthogs and a Bush Pig. Trophies arrived in the USA in October of 2024. Cleared by customs in November of 2024. Arrival at tannery and taxidermist December of 2024.

 

[JimP]

As Bob said, it's quite likely on your outfitter or taxidermist/dip and packer.

If the outfitter hasn't taken care of the paperwork on his side you'll be waiting a long time and he may blame it on others.

 

[ActionBob]

As Bob said, it's quite likely on your outfitter or taxidermist/dip and packer.

If the outfitter hasn't taken care of the paperwork on his side you'll be waiting a long time and he may blame it on others.

And then the paperwork expires as the dip and pack or taxidermy screws around.... or the shipper does. It is atrocious and it is part of the industry.

 

[JimP]

And then the paperwork expires as the dip and pack or taxidermy screws around.... or the shipper does. It is atrocious and it is part of the industry.

This is where I like to use a importer who will hound all the above to get the shipment out and on it's way. Along with knowing more about what is going on than most of us do.

You may have to pay the importer some bucks but at times like these he earns it.

 

[ActionBob]

I've heard stories from Outfitters that it can be as simple as taking a few Coca Colas into the government office

On the other hand Procrastination and passing the buck serms like it can be a way of life for some.

When dealing with my favorite South African Outfitter, it costs up front but for any species that requires permits, I pay up front well before arriving and he has permits in hand when we hunt.

Most hunters probably don't realize their Outfitter may not have permits to take the animals you're hunting. Then he has to get them later. There may not be any available at that point and he may need to wait until the following year..... Think about that. It's because he's selling you the animal marked up to cover the permits and he doesn't want to pay for permits that may not get used. So he waits and rolls the dice...

I've bought some permits that I didn't fill but I've gotten several species imported many think are impossible. Do it right, work with an Outfitter who does it right. That is the best start.

Have to agree with @JimP I do miss Rosella from SSI. Sometimes having a real B!+&% on your side gets things done

 

[Philip Glass]

Is anyone having difficulty getting their finished taxidermy from hunts in Limpopo to have export paperwork approved? I have finished plains game, nothing CITIES but a warthog and monkey involved, and am going on 2 years since the hunt and a few months of waiting on paperwork. I have heard that Limpopo is having major issues/backlog but I am wondering if anyone else is having these issues and if their is truth to that.

My shipments have been slower than normal. Permitting issues/govt laziness and not just Limpopo. My crate just arrived in DFW from Namibia & RSA hunt in 2023. Frustrating!

 

[cgdemakis]

It is frustrating trying to deal with the matter. Africans don't do business like the western world and it seems they don't feel communications or updates are important nor having a timely response to questions. I have animals from June 2024 from the same outfitter and taxidermist that are in que to get done as well.

I have asked for who the exporter will be as I had one I wanted to deal with and they were to provide a quote for another and have yet to hear on that. The work is finished work so and the swine and primate is not a USDA issue. I have trophy shippers handling the import, perhaps I'll see what they can do to move things along.

 

[JimP]

Have to agree with @JimP I do miss Rosella from SSI. Sometimes having a real B!+&% on your side gets things done

On my last hunt I gave them a call and to my surprise Wyatt answered the phone, no more Rosella the pit bull of importers. I didn't ask the circumstances but I knew that Robert had been having health problems.

However Wyatt did a good job for me and if I go back they will get my business again.

 

[Nyati]

Your Outfitter will always blame the Government Agencies, but I have found that they are often the ones to blame, not having done the required paperwork.