Taxidermy in checked luggage

[Kalahari Ferrari]

Wanted to check to see if anyone here has successfully brought taxidermy back with them into the US in their checked luggage.

I’m in South Africa currently and the kudu and gemsbok skull mounts from a hunt I did last year in South Africa are complete and I picked them up from the Taxidermist. I have room in checked bags to take them back and figured this would be quick and easier than shipping since it’s only a few mounts.

From my basic research, I’m seeing I need to submit a Form 3-177 wildlife form and maybe bring a proof of legal hunt.

Does anyone have experience doing this? Any input/advice is appreciated, thank you

 

[Oil & Dirt]

Sorry I’ve never done that. I did check a frozen grizzly hide in a sealed tote at the recommendation of my taxidermist and I don’t think I remember having any additional paperwork but that was all domestic travel.

Love the name. I always feel bad for the kalahari Ferrari’s you pass in those villages. Hope I don’t come back as a white donkey in a South Africa village

 

[Atticus]

I’ve done it with roe deer and wild boar tusks from Romania. They were already completed taxidermy and I packed them in my luggage, declared them with CBP—they checked them upon arrival—no problem.

I’ve not tried it from Africa.

 

[channelkat]

folowing

 

[Mekaniks]

If it’s completed taxidermy, you have the paperwork, declare it and it’s not a “cities” animal….It should not be a problem.
No different than purchasing a finished zebra hide at the airport….

 

[Kalahari Ferrari]

Sorry I’ve never done that. I did check a frozen grizzly hide in a sealed tote at the recommendation of my taxidermist and I don’t think I remember having any additional paperwork but that was all domestic travel.

Love the name. I always feel bad for the kalahari Ferrari’s you pass in those villages. Hope I don’t come back as a white donkey in a South Africa village

Haha I’m glad someone gets the name

 

[Kalahari Ferrari]

I’ve done it with roe deer and wild boar tusks from Romania. They were already completed taxidermy and I packed them in my luggage, declared them with CBP—they checked them upon arrival—no problem.

I’ve not tried it from Africa.

Thanks, that’s encouraging to hear.

Do you recall any of the paperwork involved?

 

[Sabre]

Wanted to check to see if anyone here has successfully brought taxidermy back with them into the US in their checked luggage.

I’m in South Africa currently and the kudu and gemsbok skull mounts from a hunt I did last year in South Africa are complete and I picked them up from the Taxidermist. I have room in checked bags to take them back and figured this would be quick and easier than shipping since it’s only a few mounts.

From my basic research, I’m seeing I need to submit a Form 3-177 wildlife form and maybe bring a proof of legal hunt.

Does anyone have experience doing this? Any input/advice is appreciated, thank you

Following because I have wondered the same. I have seen mixed answers in the past.

Please report back after you come back if you are able to bring them in without issue and what steps you needed to take.

 

[Kalahari Ferrari]

Following because I have wondered the same. I have seen mixed answers in the past.

Please report back after you come back if you are able to bring them in without issue and what steps you needed to take.

Will do, I’m leaving at end of week so I’m hoping between now and then a few more people can chime in.

For now I’m gonna complete the Form 3-177 and have copies handy on US arrival.

 

[Atticus]

Thanks, that’s encouraging to hear.

Do you recall any of the paperwork involved?

The only thing I had was the forms from Romania showing I took them legally. That said I think it would’ve been a good idea if I had the 177 form with me. That way if they wanted USFWS to inspect I’d have it on hand. My thinking at the time was worst case scenario CBP would’ve held them until a FWS inspector was available and as I’m only 40 miles from the airport (Boston) I could have come back the next day with the form.

And again, the times I’ve done this it was completed taxidermy—bleached, degreased etc. the boar tusks were also mounted on plaques. I’ve also cleared my own trophies from Africa in the past. Also finished taxidermy and no CITIES each time. It’s just not that complicated and I’ve always found CBP and FWS inspectors very helpful.