What's up with shipping agents?

[shootist~]

@migrabill
If you buy a house, you use a real estate agent or attorney to represent you, handle the paperwork and get things done.

Same thing with an import agent (aka Customs agent). Mine handled the paperwork and paid the USDA fees on my behalf. Plus paid for one day of storage on my behalf. Plus scheduled ground shipping to me ( DFW airport to Albuquerque) in a timely manner. (Freight Co picked up my shipment same day as USDA cleared it.)

 

[Firebird]

I edited that post to include the company I used. You will pay a fee to get your crate from South africa to the states and another fee to get it delivered to your house or facility. I would plan on $1k each leg of that journey and be prepared for it to fluctuate.
my understanding is that all shipments are by air, slow/cheap boat shipments are no longer an option I was told by my importer.

 

[NDWoods]

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?

Yes, you are paying our government fees. My shipping WITH insurance BY AIR from South Africa cost LESS than the 24 hours at the airport to be released to my taxidermist 15 miles away from the airport. My shipping with insurance was $1,300 (all euro mounts) and that last 24 hours cost me just under an additional $2,000.
It pissed me off beyond words and I will never import trophies again because of it. I know it is extreme and a personal problem but our government is out of control. I know part of it is airport fees and importer fees but neither would be charging what they do without the issues created by our government.
Rant over.

 

[shootist~]

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!View attachment 528438

Firebird, does shipping to a USDA certified Taxidermist also apply to a finished Euro Skull mount on a buffalo? Hope to have one this June.

Also hoping for a warthog, which will probably be a finished shoulder mount if successful.

Edit to add - I used Hunter International as well. They did a great job.

 

[ActionBob]

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?

For example I brought a mountain goat with me across the border from Canada. The border agents gave me forms to fill out and even some advice on how to do it. I sat down and filled it all out. it was at night and they had little else to do. Turned in the paperwork, had to wait a while, then a guy walked out and looked at it. And I was on my way.

But you are having things shipped across the sea. Non native to this continent (you still haven't said what species).

Honestly if you are worried about it costing $5000 or more total to get that suff here.... take really good pictures and ask the Outfitter if he can sell the capes.

And yes you can ship ocean freight. May not be a great option but a lot have been done that way during covid when planes were not flying.

And yes most commonly they go through NY. But you can certainly ask about Baltimore.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

My next trip is going to be pictures only.

 

[JimP]

Firebird, does shipping to a USDA certified Taxidermist also apply to a finished Euro Skull mount on a buffalo? Hope to have one this June.

Also hoping for a warthog, which will probably be a finished shoulder mount if successful.

Edit to add - I used Hunter International as well. They did a great job.

The last that I heard from 2 different importers is that even finished warthog taxidermy needs to go to a USDA certified shop or inspector. This was just a year ago when I checked

This can be a taxidermist, tannery, or a certified warehouse

 

[Firebird]

All pigs, primates, birds and buffalo must be inspected by a certified usda inspector (usually at a taxidermy or tanning facility) before you get to possess your trophies. They are making sure there is no grease, blood, insects etc The concern is transmitted diseases, animal but especially human.
They will check the crate seal, paperwork and properly marked as well-

 

[Inline6]

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.

You will be safe to estimate that.

A few people I know that had 5-6 mounts were close to 3k and that was not with a 3D mount that will add a bigger crate and weight.

My 15 with 3 pedestals came in two crates by plane it was over 12.5k by sea over 7.5k. They are coming by sea.

Next trip I did not want as many mounts....my wife and little guy are going this trip so all bets are off.

Hope for the best except the worst. The good news is, they usually require 1/2 down so you will have 6-10 months to get a few more dollars set aside.

 

[migrabill]

You will be safe to estimate that.

A few people I know that had 5-6 mounts were close to 3k and that was not with a 3D mount that will add a bigger crate and weight.

My 15 with 3 pedestals came in two crates by plane it was over 12.5k by sea over 7.5k. They are coming by sea.

Next trip I did not want as many mounts....my wife and little guy are going this trip so all bets are off.

Hope for the best except the worst. The good news is, they usually require 1/2 down so you will have 6-10 months to get a few more dollars set aside.

No I was referring to the fact that I was hoping just the assistance of the Customs Agent isnt 5 grand alone.

 

[375Fox]

Something to consider if you want more control of your costs. It’s hard to estimate costs on shipping and clearing. It is what it is unfortunately. However a smaller box with a dip and pack shipment is more predictable than finished mounts it seems. If you send dip and pack shipment and have taxidermy done in USA instead of South Africa you can spread your taxidermy out over an extended time instead of paying all at once then having a potentially huge shipping bill to ship finished mounts.

 

[Inline6]

No I was referring to the fact that I was hoping just the assistance of the Customs Agent isnt 5 grand alone.

That was the all in prices. What happens when it hits Houston for me...well I'll let you know about the end of July.

 

[375Fox]

No I was referring to the fact that I was hoping just the assistance of the Customs Agent isnt 5 grand alone.

Their fee is a set schedule. The variables come if shipment is held up for any reason or further inspections.

 

[Inline6]

Something to consider if you want more control of your costs. It’s hard to estimate costs on shipping and clearing. It is what it is unfortunately. However a smaller box with a dip and pack shipment is more predictable than finished mounts it seems. If you send dip and pack shipment and have taxidermy done in USA instead of South Africa you can spread your taxidermy out over an extended time instead of paying all at once then having a potentially huge shipping bill to ship finished mounts.

If you run the numbers it is really a break even proposition.

 

[375Fox]

If you run the numbers it is really a break even proposition.

Maybe, but it does take away option to spread the taxidermy out over years if costs is a real concern.

 

[Trogon]

With my Eastern Cape hunt in July 2022, approximate costs were, for all dip and pack skulls and hides for 10 animals accumulated to between $4000-$4500. Dip and pack, then crating and shipping to Chicago, then clearing customs and shipping from Chicago to Cincinnati OH to my taxidermist. Completed before Christmas. I did have a warthog skull in the shipment, all the rest were antelope.

 

[migrabill]

The game on my list includes Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Kudu, Impala, Blesbok, and Zebra. I was considering a warthog but it sounds like that might slow things down.

 

[JimP]

It doesn't slow things down it just adds a process.

My importer has a USDA certified warehouse and inspector to take care of that process.

If nothing else check the taxidermist in your area and see if any have the certification where they can pick up the crate. It may cost you a few bucks but I wouldn't pass up a warthog.

 

[Inline6]

Maybe, but it does take away option to spread the taxidermy out over years if costs is a real concern.

Maybe, 1/2 down after we were back for a month and decided how we wanted them. 1/2 due once completed which took about 18 months. Sat in shipping storage for 3 months til they had a boat. So it was close to two years.

Dip and pack was close to 50% of the cost of the finished mounts. Shipping was running 1/3 of full mounts. Then you pay taxidermy here.

My break even was 6800 in shipping. I handed the pedestals after the fact so without redoing the math I'm saying for me I'm probably still at break even. Should something happen to a cape, it would be less of a problem for someone in Africa to deal with it. Something could still happen with the mounts now.

Run the numbers however you want, unless some business are extremely cheaper than the people we have priced it is a wash more than not.

At the end of the day, for me pictures are more in my future. Could have replicated the safari for what was spent on taxidermy and shipping. YMMV

 

[R eight]

My next trip is going to be pictures only.

Never been to Africa….but been fortunate enough to hunt Alaska a few times. Taxidermy….more precisely the transport and export/import of the trophies is a nightmare. Once you’ve started the process it’s pretty hard to stop. Everybody knows that and has their hand out looking for more. Last time I had the distinct impression that I was being taken for a ride….never again.
Photos only from now on. I’ve been screwed enough to last me several lifetimes.