Trophy shipment

[AustinL]

So I have received some conflicting information and am looking for clarification.

I will be hunting various species of antelope plains game, no DG , no Cities or other exotic species. We will be hunting warthog. I know that warthogs have to be shipped to a USDA facility IF they are unfinished. If all we bring back is capes and horns/skulls on PG and a completed warthog European mount does that shipment have to go to a USDA approved facility or can the customs broker clear it and ship it directly to my door/non USDA approved taxidermist.

If it must go to a USDA facility how do you guys get your trophy’s to a non USDA approved taxidermist? There are a lot of great taxidermists not on that list and frankly from the websites of those on the list in my state very few of them are of the caliber I would want doing my work

 

[slam8031]

I have brought completed Warthog skulls two different trips. Coppersmith cleared them and I retrieved them from atlanta. Then take them wherever you want.

 

[cpr0312]

I just received a crate with my warthog skull in it, no extra steps necessary. Coppersmith cleared in ATL then shipped to my house. I did not have the warthog skin which indeed may make the difference in special clearance or not.

If it must to go an USDA taxidermist, just call and speak with them and ask how much they charge to clear it, then just arrange to pick it up or ship it from them to your preferred taxidermist.

 

[billc]

If it is a finished skull and shown on the paperwork as that you will have no problem. Have a finished warthog mounts and skulls shipped home and I picked them all up after coppersmith cleared them.

 

[GA Hunter]

As long as there is no warthog skin or fur in the shipment then you should be fine to have it shipped wherever you want or pick it up. I have also picked up a number of shipments with only the skulls included. There are also restrictions on primates but I do not know the details. Baboons, monkeys, etc. any of the agents at Coppersmith should be able to give you very specific guidelines.

 

[tay50]

Humm... kind of makes me wonder, Wild Life Gallery wants to charge me $70 bucks to re-boil 2 warthog tusk, telling me it is required on any swine products entering the US. So my first ever safari (2014) I shot a warthog and wanted a euro mount, when my taxidermist called and said my crate arrived he handed me my skull and sent me home with it. who is right.

 

[JimP]

It is my understanding that if the skull is a finished product then nothing special has to be followed.

I would call the people that are in the know such as SSI or Coppersmith. I am sure that either can give you the complete run down on what is and what is not required.

 

[outwestidaho]

I have never seen in the law where there is a difference between a finished skull and a raw one. Their listed as warthog skull and tusk.
Many come through as non restricted items that have been finished.
While many come through as a restricted items and must go to a USDA facility.
My USDA government inspector CLAIMS they all must be restricted finished or not. But our government is inconsistent as normal .

 

[kdiver58]

Call Coppersmith in Atlanta direct they will give you all the information you need. It starts at $500 for 1 to ? imports . They know their job well and every time I have called them they were very polite.

 

[Limcroma Safaris]

So I have received some conflicting information and am looking for clarification.

I will be hunting various species of antelope plains game, no DG , no Cities or other exotic species. We will be hunting warthog. I know that warthogs have to be shipped to a USDA facility IF they are unfinished. If all we bring back is capes and horns/skulls on PG and a completed warthog European mount does that shipment have to go to a USDA approved facility or can the customs broker clear it and ship it directly to my door/non USDA approved taxidermist.

If it must go to a USDA facility how do you guys get your trophy’s to a non USDA approved taxidermist? There are a lot of great taxidermists not on that list and frankly from the websites of those on the list in my state very few of them are of the caliber I would want doing my work

Hi Austin,

This is the most current information that I just received from our manager at Trophy Pro SA:

Unfinished swine and/or primate parts must be labeled as such and packed in their own separate container but it can be included in the same shipping crate as the rest of your trophies. These unfinished parts will be subject to additional treatment upon arrival into the USA, and therefore will go through additional quarantine and inspection.

Finished parts such as completed Euros and plaque mounted tusks are still subject to USDA and/or USFWS inspections... However, they should be cleared right away and ready to be picked up or forwarded for delivery to your door. They do not need to be held for further treatment, or reserved for pick up by a taxidermist or clearing agent who holds a veterinary certification. It is extremely important to make sure your whoever packs and crates your shipment is competent and does so with the proper labeling and descriptions on the bill of lading.

As other have mentioned, it is always wise to use an experienced clearing agent such as Coppersmith to eliminate any doubt. But if you wish to clear them yourself, make certain that the paperwork is done correctly on the other end...