Taxidermist is asking for copy of my passport

[Jeffrey Masters]

Had a great hunt in Namibia this spring, and I am working to get my skins sent home. The taxidermist Trophaendienste, in Windhoek Namibia is asking for a copy of my passport to be able to send my items. I have talked to my outfitter who says this is normal. I feel confident in my outfitter, but I still wonder, 1. is this normal procedure. 2. is this neccesary. 3. is this safe? At some point in our travels throughout the country, my credit card and identity were compromised, and I had to freeze my credit and go through all kinds of hassle to prevent a lot of damage, I certainly don't want a repeat, or worse, of that event. Any thoughts, experiences, or guidance out there?

 

[Laniarius]

All I can offer is a similar data point: the same taxidermist asked the same from me in 2021-22.

 

[Cam300]

All I can offer is a similar data point: the same taxidermist asked the same from me in 2021-22.

Same here in 2022.

 

[Mekaniks]

Yes, I sent mine to Trophaendienste also. No problem

I also have a dedicated credit card that I use for these types of transactions.....

 

[Laniarius]

Also, if I recall correctly I paid the taxidermist by wire transfer, not credit card. I think wire transfer is a more secure method.

 

[Mekaniks]

Also, if I recall correctly I paid the taxidermist by wire transfer, not credit card. I think wire transfer is a more secure method.

Yes I would pay through wire transfer also if I could but Trop wants a credit card (visa or master card)

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Had a great hunt in Namibia this spring, and I am working to get my skins sent home. The taxidermist Trophaendienste, in Windhoek Namibia is asking for a copy of my passport to be able to send my items. I have talked to my outfitter who says this is normal. I feel confident in my outfitter, but I still wonder, 1. is this normal procedure. 2. is this neccesary. 3. is this safe? At some point in our travels throughout the country, my credit card and identity were compromised, and I had to freeze my credit and go through all kinds of hassle to prevent a lot of damage, I certainly don't want a repeat, or worse, of that event. Any thoughts, experiences, or guidance out there?

If I remember right, in 2022 the taxidermist that I used in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe made a copy of my passport while I was in the shop. It made sense. They could come under investigation and need to show that the animal parts belonged to legal hunters and where they would be shipped to.

 

[DieJager]

You can black out some things that are really not necessary for him to know. I do not know what that is in America but in Europe a lot of countries have an app where you can watermark your copy of your passport or ID and black out the stuff that is not needed.

 

[Jeffrey Masters]

Thanks all!

 

[Rem280]

Credit card can be charged back, wire transfer internationally is gone. What if you transpose a number? Money is gone! Also most credit cards offer cash back and better conversion rates.

 

[375Fox]

My PH took the photos before I left, but they need proof of your entry and exit stamps and passport to apply for the export paperwork was my understanding.

 

[aminkus]

Very standard operating procedure

 

[Cam300]

My PH took the photos before I left, but they need proof of your entry and exit stamps and passport to apply for the export paperwork was my understanding.

Ah, yes - you just jogged my memory. They needed a scan of both the passport page and the Namibian entry/exit!

 

[coreydb]

Had a great hunt in Namibia this spring, and I am working to get my skins sent home. The taxidermist Trophaendienste, in Windhoek Namibia is asking for a copy of my passport to be able to send my items. I have talked to my outfitter who says this is normal. I feel confident in my outfitter, but I still wonder, 1. is this normal procedure. 2. is this neccesary. 3. is this safe? At some point in our travels throughout the country, my credit card and identity were compromised, and I had to freeze my credit and go through all kinds of hassle to prevent a lot of damage, I certainly don't want a repeat, or worse, of that event. Any thoughts, experiences, or guidance out there?

Taxidermists require passports to ensure the trophies are legally taken. Bank transfers are the safest because they go directly from one bank to the other with no middleman handling.

 

[WAB]

Totally normal.

 

[EC HUNTING SAFARIS]

Good day Jeffrey

With regards to the taxidermist requiring a copy of your passport- This is normal procedure, as all your documentation needs to have your full names & passport number for export. Many times, a middle name left off or mispelled / shortened version of a name means all the permits would need to be amended, which takes more time. Getting a copy of it reduces these errors, and delays in shipping.

Your concerns are totally understandable, due to your experience.

I hope that besides your credit card worries, that your overall memories and experience were great!

Best regards
Marius

 

[Rimbaud]

I used the same taxidermist. Don’t recall if my passport was requested, but I would be surprised if not. The firm did a great job on all of my trophies. I would use them again without hesitation.

 

[Philip Glass]

Had a great hunt in Namibia this spring, and I am working to get my skins sent home. The taxidermist Trophaendienste, in Windhoek Namibia is asking for a copy of my passport to be able to send my items. I have talked to my outfitter who says this is normal. I feel confident in my outfitter, but I still wonder, 1. is this normal procedure. 2. is this neccesary. 3. is this safe? At some point in our travels throughout the country, my credit card and identity were compromised, and I had to freeze my credit and go through all kinds of hassle to prevent a lot of damage, I certainly don't want a repeat, or worse, of that event. Any thoughts, experiences, or guidance out there?

It is a normal procedure. They need to be 100% sure your name on all their documents matches your passport. One misspelling or error and USFWS can burn your whole consignment and you have no recourse. They are a good taxidermy and I have many mounts and even a giraffe ottoman that they made for me. I will say that like most of Africa they are slow.