Recent shipping prices

[HookMeUpII]

Well he also had a trip to the UK so I do not know if that affected things. But it was still smooth and I was kept informed.

Whether that was the reason or not, this is why I want a flat rate warehouse charge like he offers. You'd be crying the blues if it was $400 a day warehouse cost for 21 days.

If I had to wait an extra 2-3 weeks that's not a big deal. At a daily charged rate, that would be bad.

 

[Sabre]

@jimbo1972 - Any chance you got your crate yet and got the mounts up in that beautiful new house yet?

 

[jimbo1972]

@jimbo1972 - Any chance you got your crate yet and got the mounts up in that beautiful new house yet?

Not yet. Still awaiting shipping.

 

[Philip Glass]

Just got notification that my trophies are done in South Africa. Any recent examples of what to expect? It will be shipped to Atlanta and I will pick up once clears customs.

My crate full of mounts just cost me $5500 and only $3500 was shipping! All these extra fees are getting out of hand.

 

[eatmore-pbj]

Just got mine home. 1 buff, 2 nyala, kudu, waterbuck all shoulder mounts. total to door I picked up at warehouse with a $32.00 for Uhaul trailer. Total cost was $9334. It was large heavy continer.

 

[Hunt anything]

@Philip Glass , what all was in your crate? How big was it?This is getting ridiculous.

 

[eatmore-pbj]

Should have clarified:
Badger Cargo was $4,834 which included Turkish Airlines and crating . 192 x 125x129 Weight probably 450-500 lbs.
The agent here was about $1300.
The taxidermist there was $3,200.

 

[Philip Glass]

@Philip Glass , what all was in your crate? How big was it?This is getting ridiculous.

Your crate size is _56X40X38_. Weight is _222_lbs
$3500 airfreight but another $2000 in fees!

 

[358 Norma]

I guess I'll find out in July, Bulls Eye Taxidermy is working on my trophies now. One Cape Buffalo pedestal, 1 Sable shoulder, 1 Nyala wall pedestal, 1 impala European, 1 Gemsbuck European, and 1 Zebra ruge.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Folks are these prices so high because they’re mounted animals? I’d received a rough estimate about a year ago - appreciate prices fluctuate - for around £1500 for a 350kg crate from South Africa to UK. This was mostly dip and pack and skulls for approx 7 animals. Think that’s likely way out now? Looks like people here are closer to $3-$4k!

 

[Letzhunt]

All this definitely has me reconsidering what to do with trophies in the future and honestly where to go. The thought behind being able to hunt several animals in Africa for the price of a 1 species hunt here in the US, Elk etc, is out the window if there are plans to have taxidermy done. i am going back in April of 2026, but I may not be bringing much home. I could hunt again over there for the price of the taxidermy. Disappointing as I am going back for a buffalo. We shall see I guess.

 

[Hunt anything]

Folks are these prices so high because they’re mounted animals? I’d received a rough estimate about a year ago - appreciate prices fluctuate - for around £1500 for a 350kg crate from South Africa to UK. This was mostly dip and pack and skulls for approx 7 animals. Think that’s likely way out now? Looks like people here are closer to $3-$4k!

It’s all about volumetric weight and the size of the crate. Not sure on the volumetric weight formula. Fully finished mounts will undoubtedly be more expensive. But no doubt it has turned into a racket IMO.

 

[wildfowler.250]

It’s all about volumetric weight and the size of the crate. Not sure on the volumetric weight formula. Fully finished mounts will undoubtedly be more expensive. But no doubt it has turned into a racket IMO.

It does seem steep compared to the weight of the contents. This will be my first time out but I’m not sure I’ll be doing it again if $10,000 trophy fees turns into a $25,000 trip by the end of it. Crazy when a day on the stags in Scotland is £800-£1000. Makes UK seem cheap!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

It does seem steep compared to the weight of the contents. This will be my first time out but I’m not sure I’ll be doing it again if $10,000 trophy fees turns into a $25,000 trip by the end of it. Crazy when a day on the stags in Scotland is £800-£1000. Makes UK seem cheap!

Don’t forget a lot of these shipments are going to the states. Travel time and fuel costs are significantly higher. Shipments containing Big 5 Species will be more expensive because not all airlines will transport them. I know Turkish Airlines will and maybe another. This means they somewhat have a monopoly on what they can/can’t charge on shipments brought to them.

 

[BryceM]

I paid around $1800 air freight for 123 kg actual 127 kg volumetric for 2 big five animals from Windhoek to Seattle. It’s in the US now, but not yet in Seattle. I anticipate that much more on clearance fees and ground freight, but that’s still a few days away it seems.

I was surprised that Ethiopian air shipped these to the US. I thought it was only Turkish that would do it.

 

[Sabre]

Folks are these prices so high because they’re mounted animals? I’d received a rough estimate about a year ago - appreciate prices fluctuate - for around £1500 for a 350kg crate from South Africa to UK. This was mostly dip and pack and skulls for approx 7 animals. Think that’s likely way out now? Looks like people here are closer to $3-$4k!

S

Thread 'Recent shipping and import costs South Africa to US - January 2025'

Jan 29, 2025

I just wanted to provide a recent shipping cost post because I always find it interesting what the current cost is for these things. And I always like to keep track of it in case there is a drastic change or a trend up or down. So if anyone else is interested in those things, here is one data point to reference.

I had quite a lot of animals of varying sizes. Everything from Duiker to Eland. My animals were all dip and pack except one finished warthog skull on a plaque.

I had 17 animals total. The breakdown of contents is as follows:

17 Skulls
15 capes
13 backskins
2 flatskins...

• Sabre
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Before & after the hunt

• 

This was my recent shipment with a breakdown of cost, sizes and contents.

 

[eatmore-pbj]

Your crate size is _56X40X38_. Weight is _222_lbs
$3500 airfreight but another $2000 in fees!

It was 212 kg not pounds

 

[Philip Glass]

It was 212 kg not pounds

112KG

 

[Letzhunt]

Just got an air freight quote for my trophies in South Africa to ship to Chicago.

Size 143x103x135cm or 56"x40"x53"
I assume this is length width and height in that order? It matters since I will pick I up in Chicago with my pickup truck.

331kg was calculated volume/size weight

Air freight $2283.90
Permits and docs. $235.00
CITES (?) $55.00
I don't have a CITES animal ?
Crate and packaging. $281.35
Carriage and transport$264.80
Facility and handling. $325.00
Carrier screening. $66.20
Liability protection. $131.18

This is US funds. Total $3,642.43

Unfortunately this of course is a lot more than expected or estimated back when I hunted in May of 2024.

Questions?
1. Should I look at other logistic companies just to compare?

2. Does this total seem accurate for a 331kg shipment?

3. I don think no would consider the ocean transport but it is $1400 cheaper. But I am in Indiana and air is to Chicago where I would pick it up and Ocean is to Houston of course. It also would not ship until Oct or November by ocean.

4. I know it's only $55 but is there a CITES fee if I don't have a CITES animal. No pigs or primates or big five.

Just got some sticker shock today considering that my hunt was around $7500 and all in my taxidermy and transport will be over $10,000.
Kudu pedestal mount without pedestal
Gemsbuck pedestal mount without pedestal
Impala shoulder mount
Zebra mount on Africa map board
Blue Wildebeest hide and skull
Impala skull
Blesbuck skull

The taxidermy looks good in the photos so happy there so far. I think it s mainly the air freight that is what is driving the prices but all the ancillary costs certainly add up.

I'm scheduled to return in 10 months but reconsidering what I would do with the trophies at these prices.
All thoughts welcome......

 

[Hunt anything]

Unfortunately paying out the nose is a part of it. What you do with the trophies is a very personal thing. They are very important to me and I would never leave them behind but the time will come when I have no more room for mounts and I might have to just take pictures and videos. Then in a few countries you have to pay a VAT tax on trophies you don’t export.

No CITES fee if no CITES animals.