What's up with shipping agents?

[migrabill]

Planning for my first African Safari. I will be hunting in South Africa. I hope to have about 6 mounts done by a taxidermist in RSA. I live in Baltimore, Maryland USA which has a major Sea Port, and that's where my trophies will go to by sea. In reading these boards I have discovered these companies that assist with the shipping of your trophies. My questions are what services are they offering exactly and how much do their services cost? Can't I just let my taxidermist in RSA (Bullseye in Vaalwater) deal with the shipping and wait for them to come into Baltimore. Then I take a 35 minute drive to the port and pick up my stuff...

 

[BRICKBURN]

Craig does the taxidermy. He will suggest a company that will process the paperwork, crate the trophies and move them to the boat headed your way. That company may work with someone on your end to finish importing them or you can do it yourself.
Some people have the time and patience, others not.

 

[migrabill]

Craig does the taxidermy. He will suggest a company that will process the paperwork, crate the trophies and move them to the boat headed your way. That company may work with someone on your end to finish importing them or you can do it yourself.
Some people have the time and patience, others not.

Thank you for quick reply. So, this company that Craig will suggest; they are the "shipper" correct? What would need to be done on my end to "finish importing them". I guess that's what I don't understand. What exactly needs to be done, that will determine if it's something I can do or not.

 

[BnC 04]

You will contact an importer...ie Coppersmith to handle the importation process.

 

[shootist~]

I haven't contacted Bullseye yet except to get a price list. But I plan to use them in June since they are close to my Outfitter, @KWALATA SAFARIS and in the same province.

You will need a US Customs agent to clear your trophies - that woks your specific port of entry. Hopefully Bullseye has a recommendation.
(Mine is easy since I plan to use the same airport (DFW) I used in 2021.)

Following with interest.

 

[ActionBob]

Just to confuse things further. It depends what critters. You need to get them through the USFW and Customs services. You can possibly do that paperwork yourself. But if you don't get it done right and timely, you could face storage fees and even lose your trophies.

 

[migrabill]

I haven't contacted Bullseye yet except to get a price list. But I plan to use them in June since they are close to my Outfitter, @KWALATA SAFARIS and in the same province.

You will need a US Customs agent to clear your trophies - that woks your specific port of entry. Hopefully Bullseye has a recommendation.
(Mine is easy since I plan to use the same airport (DFW) I used in 2021.)

Following with interest.

Shootist- I know you will be excited as heck upon your return, but if you remember please reach out to me and let me know whom Bullseye recommended. I still do not have a clear understanding of what exactly this importer does. Not sure what "clear" your trophies means. I also have a copy of Bullseye's price list. I am interested in having them do a 3-D wall pedestal like the one in my avatar picture. That does not show up on their price list.
Have a great time on your journey. Good luck and good hunting.

 

[CAustin]

Planning for my first African Safari. I will be hunting in South Africa. I hope to have about 6 mounts done by a taxidermist in RSA. I live in Baltimore, Maryland USA which has a major Sea Port, and that's where my trophies will go to by sea. In reading these boards I have discovered these companies that assist with the shipping of your trophies. My questions are what services are they offering exactly and how much do their services cost? Can't I just let my taxidermist in RSA (Bullseye in Vaalwater) deal with the shipping and wait for them to come into Baltimore. Then I take a 35 minute drive to the port and pick up my stuff...

First hunt definitely use an import agent!

 

[migrabill]

First hunt definitely use an import agent!

Do you know what they for you? Exactly. Is it paperwork? Is it getting them to my porch? is it inspecting the crate?
And nobody has addressed what these services cost.

 

[JimP]

Like Bob said, a lot will depend on what you are bringing back. Some need to go to a USDA approved site for final inspections and or treatments, US Customs does not do this.

There is a lot more involved than just going down to the dock and loading up your trophies. There are some seasoned folks on the forum here that will do it themselves but all it takes is for one problem and your goose is cooked so to say.

 

[JimP]

Do you know what they for you? Exactly. Is it paperwork? Is it getting them to my porch? is it inspecting the crate?
And nobody has addressed what these services cost.

It's best to contact them. Trophy Shippers on the forum here does their part for $450 I believe. There are others that are cheaper and then there are those that cost more depending on just how much that they do.

 

[Scott CWO]

Shootist- I know you will be excited as heck upon your return, but if you remember please reach out to me and let me know whom Bullseye recommended. I still do not have a clear understanding of what exactly this importer does. Not sure what "clear" your trophies means. I also have a copy of Bullseye's price list. I am interested in having them do a 3-D wall pedestal like the one in my avatar picture. That does not show up on their price list.
Have a great time on your journey. Good luck and good hunting.

USFWS and Department of Agriculture have to inspect your import. You will need an agent to do this since you haven’t done it before.

 

[migrabill]

It's best to contact them. Trophy Shippers on the forum here does their part for $450 I believe. There are others that are cheaper and then there are those that cost more depending on just how much that they do.

Thank you for giving me an estimation on price. For that amount I will let them do whatever needs to be done. I literally didn't know if I was entering into another 5 grand commitment.

 

[migrabill]

USFWS and Department of Agriculture have to inspect your import. You will need an agent to do this since you haven’t done it before.

I swear I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here. So... the USFWS and the US Dept of Agriculture are federal Agencies. Their employees are Federal Workers. Are you saying I have to pay a Federal employee to inspect my crate. I thought that was their job and what the Federal Government pays them to do. If you mean this "additional" Agent is from a private company, what exactly do they do while the federal employee is inspecting the crate?

 

[ActionBob]

Thank you for giving me an estimation on price. For that amount I will let them do whatever needs to be done. I literally didn't know if I was entering into another 5 grand commitment.

From my experience $450 is on the low end. $950 on the higher end, but not top end. Then add shipping and a few other fees. If you are comfortable going to pick stuff up, ask your import agent about doing that to save shipping.

They will ship to your door with a lift gate if you wish.

 

[JimP]

Trophy Shippers – Walking You Through the Hunting Journey

I personally am using Safari Speciality Importers

 

[375Fox]

You’ll need to pay a shipper to ship from South Africa to port of entry in USA (Baltimore in your case). Shipping a dip and pack shipment I’d put at $1500, but with 6 completed taxidermy mounts it could get very pricey. Others who have shipped completed taxidermy will know better for an estimate but I’d say at least double. Once it arrives in port of entry you’ll need to pay a broker to clear trophies. Their fee is usually +/- $500, but with extras the bill will likely be closer to $1000. Since you can pick up, no final shipping needed. However, what customs brokers for hunting trophies are in Baltimore? Most go through New York it seems.

 

[Firebird]

All crates must pass through customs to enter this country from another one.
If you are importing birds, monkeys, buffalo or pig species your crate must go to a usda certified facility (generally a taxidermist or tannery) where it will be completely certified and released to you.
I encourage you to contact coppersmiths for example and ask their prices and ask them to verify what I just told you!
There are other options but information is free so send some e mails and ask them specific questions. How an importer/broker responds to you might influence wether or not you choose to use them.
I used this company on the west coast, you could e mail them and ask your questions and see how they respond -information is free!

 

[migrabill]

You’ll need to pay a shipper to ship from South Africa to port of entry in USA (Baltimore in your case). Shipping a dip and pack shipment I’d put at $1500, but with 6 completed taxidermy mounts it could get very pricey. Others who have shipped completed taxidermy will know better for an estimate but I’d say at least double. Once it arrives in port of entry you’ll need to pay a broker to clear trophies. Their fee is usually +/- $500, but with extras the bill will likely be closer to $1000. Since you can pick up, no final shipping needed. However, what customs brokers for hunting trophies are in Baltimore? Most go through New York it seems.

Thank you!

 

[migrabill]

All crates must pass through customs to enter this country from another one.
If you are importing birds, monkeys, buffalo or pig species your crate must go to a usda certified facility (generally a taxidermist or tannery) where it will be completely certified and released to you.
I encourage you to contact coppersmiths for example and ask their prices and ask them to verify what I just told you!
There are other options but information is free so send some e mails and ask them specific questions. How an importer/broker responds to you might influence wether or not you choose to use them

Thanks!