What's up with shipping agents?

[CAustin]

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.

First and foremost they keep you from having to go in front of a judge! There are many details to a legal import of trophies. Some will take care of everything including the shipping but mostly they see to it that all the (I) s are dotted and (t)s crossed. Unless you are an attorney accustomed to dealing with US Government agencies …..an import agent is a must. Cost is a factored by many components not the least of which what animals are in the crate and how many applications must be applied for in your behalf.

 

[Spearhead]

Does anyone know if Coppersmith in Atlanta is a USDA approved facility? I have 2 baboon euros . I plan on driving from Louisiana to pick up crate of 8

 

[Tucketed]

I believe Coopersmiths only USDA approved is Dallas and Chicago according to their website.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

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

just got an email for Laura at Coppersmiths stating that finished Warthog and Buffalo euro DO NOT have to go to USDA inspectors but dip and pack hides on those do

 

[375Fox]

just got an email for Laura at Coppersmiths stating that finished Warthog and Buffalo euro DO NOT have to go to USDA inspectors but dip and pack hides on those do

That’s how it’s always been in my experience, both New York and Chicago. Glad you got the confirmation.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

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?

You are not paying the inspectors. You are paying the customs broker, an independent service provider, to guide your stuff through the inspections upon arrival and arrange for shipping from port of entry to your town/home. Once you know where the shipment will be arriving, you can start shopping for brokers at that port. Google for customs broker at that location. I have to find a new one as the clown I have been dealing with in Toronto didn't do her job last time and my stuff wound up in storage to the tune of $500+.

Also you may want to shop for freight agents on that side. Stay the hell away from Rex Forwarders in Port Elizabeth! Once you know the dimensions AND weight of the crates (ask your taxidermist for this), then you have what you need for quotes. The items must be vet inspected at the freight outfit before leaving the country. Try to arrange for the freight company to pick up the stuff a day or so before it's scheduled to ship out. Otherwise they can hook you for storage fees. My former taxidermist (Karoo) sent the stuff out the door to Rex without letting me see the finished product or even telling me it was done (many bad reasons for that!). Then Rex was free to charge me whatever they demanded. And what they demanded would make you fill your pants!

Your taxidermist AND lodge should be helping navigate this. But be careful. Don't let your stuff leave the taxidermist until you have a proper quote from the freight company.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

just got an email for Laura at Coppersmiths stating that finished Warthog and Buffalo euro DO NOT have to go to USDA inspectors but dip and pack hides on those do

That sounds about right. Tanned hides and mounts are a walk through up here. Skulls will need to be inspected by Ag Agency along with dip and pack capes. Processing dip and pack has become a HUGE headache up here due to restrictions. I just order the capes tanned there. Actually the price of tanning wasn't that bad. Then the capes are rehydrated when my daughter is ready to mount them. And less hassles getting them through inspections there and here.

 

[375Fox]

You are not paying the inspectors. You are paying the customs broker, an independent service provider, to guide your stuff through the inspections upon arrival and arrange for shipping from port of entry to your town/home. Once you know where the shipment will be arriving, you can start shopping for brokers at that port. Google for customs broker at that location. I have to find a new one as the clown I have been dealing with in Toronto didn't do her job last time and my stuff wound up in storage to the tune of $500+.

Also you may want to shop for freight agents on that side. Stay the hell away from Rex Forwarders in Port Elizabeth! Once you know the dimensions AND weight of the crates (ask your taxidermist for this), then you have what you need for quotes. The items must be vet inspected at the freight outfit before leaving the country. Try to arrange for the freight company to pick up the stuff a day or so before it's scheduled to ship out. Otherwise they can hook you for storage fees. My former taxidermist (Karoo) sent the stuff out the door to Rex without letting me see the finished product or even telling me it was done (many bad reasons for that!). Then Rex was free to charge me whatever they demanded. And what they demanded would make you fill your pants!

Your taxidermist AND lodge should be helping navigate this. But be careful. Don't let your stuff leave the taxidermist until you have a proper quote from the freight company.

You do pay for inspections. The customs broker has their fee and you reimburse them for the rest. I’ve never had two invoices the same. It is what it is. Here are two examples from past invoices.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You do pay for inspections. The customs broker has their fee and you reimburse them for the rest. I’ve never had two invoices the same. It is what it is. Here are two examples from past invoices.
View attachment 529193View attachment 529194

Those charges are suspicious to say the least. Wildly inconsistent. I'm seriously considering driving to Toronto (2 days on the road) to personally get my stuff through customs and inspections. This crate will be skulls and tanned hides only. This time all the horns are removed so the crate should be much smaller. (Karoo sent most with skulls with horns still attached and rotten flesh underneath). I should be able to fit the stuff in my rig and drive it back instead of dealing with an expensive freight company that twice sent my trophies into the Twilight Zone.

I have been in contact with several taxidermists in Greater Toronto Area and they all say go get the stuff through on my own if possible. The brokers and freight outfits are rip offs. I'll have to take a crash course in Punjabi first.