Cost to get Trophies back from South Africa

elkhunter21 · Jan 25, 2013

I know this is rather fundamental but a buddy and I are headed to Port Elizabeth for a short and first time Safari, 3 to 5 plains animals each (Kudu, Gemsbuck, Impala etc.) no cats, hogs, dogs, primates.. just plains game.

Questions on getting the trophies back to Denver....
Dip and Pack fee approx 100 to 150 per animal
Export Permit - 50 per person
Crate and Pack - 250 to 500
Customs Clearing - 300
Air Freight - 1200
Truck to Denver - 400
TOTAL COSTS: 2,700 to 3,000??

Is this High/Low about right?
Anything I have missed?

My buddy says he does NOT want to bring his trophies home if it costs this much... Can we use the same Crate for shipping? I have one taxi that has said "By law, each hunter must have his own crate". Is this true?

Thanks for your help!

woodruffhunter · Jan 25, 2013

It's sounds about right.

I am surprised that they will not combine the crate and tag
the capes/skulls with your names.

If your Outfitter is a good one, he should be using a quality
dip and pack company.

On a side note, I'm sure you'd regret leaving your trophies behind
on your first safari. I could see leaving some behind on a second plains game hunt, but not a first.

littlejoe · Jan 26, 2013

Thst sure seems high to me. We brought back 30 trophies from PE last year and I dont think it was much more than that.

Check with Paul Smith and Relive Africa in PE.

He does a great job prepping and crating to ship.

Huntmaster · Jan 27, 2013

You can ship them together. We just got ours back and that is what we did, saves alot. It all depends on how many you kill. It will definitely be easier and cheaper if you dont shoot a pig warthog, baboon or ostrich. He says he doesnt want them now. Wait until he shoots them. They are neat, like nothing else in the states. have fun.

6t4nova · Jan 28, 2013

I think your air freight is a little on the high side. I just shipped back 7 animals (all plains game) and my air bill was only $600 to DIA. My total for dip, pack, crating, shipping, etc. was 3K. That was all animals dipped, 2 impala back skins tanned, 10 pillows, 3 photo albums, a tail whip, and zebra legs mounted with rods for a table.

You will also have a Fish and Wildlife inspection that runs $225 I believe. Depending on what taxidermist you use, some of these fees will be cheaper. I didn't have to worry about the truck freight, as my taxi includes that in their service.

llamapacker · Jan 28, 2013

Lots of variables and much depends on who you use and what you have for actual trophies. Your numbers are probably high, but it could run that much for a large crate. Freight is charged on the size of the create, not usually on actual weight. Tanned skins and skulls don't take up a lot of room, but it can add up. Mounted trophies cost a lot more to ship, and usually eat up the savings on cheaper taxidermy in RSA.
Only bring back what you really want to mount. If you each shoot three animals you may want them all, but usually a few are pretty average, and you may choose to shoot a better one in the future. Also, you can save a considerable sum just doing European mounts, and not shipping skins.
Also remember these costs won't come due for 6 months or so after the hunt. Gives your buddy a few months to save up.

There is nothing wrong with just pictures, but typically only after several trips. I am far more selective now on what I bring back, but it is far from my first trip.
Bill

mntman · Mar 8, 2013

never been to Africa but was thinking. Would it be cheaper/easier to get replicas made of your animals??? I know it isn't the real thing but if a person could save 2 thousand dollars, that is more animals to hunt...

Granted they would only be European mounts or on plaques.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

woodruffhunter · Mar 8, 2013

No, it wouldn't be cheaper. I'd just have them prep the hides and ship them.

As was stated by others, it's not that expensive to ship. You can do the
taxi work here in the states, when you want...

kevinp · Mar 9, 2013

Replicas can become very expensive...depending on the species!..

You would need the original set of horns in order to build a mold and then cast...This process is very time consuming and material costs are expensive!

mntman · Mar 10, 2013

Oh... Thanks. Guess that is idea is scratched

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?