Shipping trophies home

[grayghost]

This past May, the regs were changed concerning the shipment of raw trophies from Africa. Previously, you could only ship finished mounts via Ocean cargo. Raw capes, skins and skulls/horns had to be shipped via air freight. This was costly. Now, we are able to ship mounts and raw capes via Ocean cargo. Contact one of the Customs brokers for details. I use Fauna & Flora in Jamaica, NY. Coppersmith is another. You can save about 40%
grayghost

[gerry375]

grayghost:

The first thought that came to me was to wonder whether a 40% saving in shipping costs was worth using ocean cargo. I'm thinking of the hazards of getting a trophy from a landlocked country like Zimbabwe to an ocean port, reliability of stevedores in loading what? My trophy in its own crate? -or consolidated with other crates into a shipping container -that will be much bigger than those used in aircraft transport? How about the crane dropping the load? What happens to my 42"buff then? I trust American stevedores in unloading - but theft on the docks is commonplace in American ports. Finally, what's the time difference between ocean and air shipments? If only a few weeks, then it may be worth it - but I suspect that it's much more and, somehow I feel that air transport is safer all around. (Frankly, someone who has spent thousands of dollars to get that trophy ought not to be pinching pennies near the end of getting it home) Just my thoughts.

[grayghost]

Gerry, sorry for the slow reply. I have been hunting and attending the safari shows. Let's see if I can answer your questions:
The first thought that came to me was to wonder whether a 40% saving in shipping costs was worth using ocean cargo. I'm thinking of the hazards of getting a trophy from a landlocked country like Zimbabwe to an ocean port, reliability of stevedores in loading what? My trophy in its own crate? Yes

-or consolidated with other crates into a shipping container? Yes again.
-that will be much bigger than those used in aircraft transport? Yes
How about the crane dropping the load? Very rare. 99.9% won't happen.

What happens to my 42"buff then? That's why you insure your entire shipment of trophies.

I trust American stevedores in unloading - but theft on the docks is commonplace in American ports. Again, insurance.

Finally, what's the time difference between ocean and air shipments? Air- one week. Sea: 30 days

If only a few weeks, then it may be worth it - but I suspect that it's much more and, somehow I feel that air transport is safer all around. (Frankly, someone who has spent thousands of dollars to get that trophy ought not to be pinching pennies near the end of getting it home) Just my thoughts. I use the most reliable people in the business to ship and import my trophies and the same for my clients. It pays to protect your investment. However, in Africa, s$#@ happens. Plan for it and enjoy the good times.
grayghost