Report of our Actual Expenses to ship trophies out of Namibia

[BRICKBURN]

Just go a notice that my trophies are ready for shipping from SA. The bill includes "Currency Adjustment Factor" for $43 US. What the,exactly, is this?

That is a fine way of stating that: You were quoted in USD at a point where the exchange rate was 6.8 and it is probably 8.3 today (I'd guess).


Interpretation. "We will not be shorted due to volatility in our currency"

 

[Upton O. Good]

Very well stated, simple enough. I appreciate the quick response. Now I am really anxious to see my trophies.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Very well stated, simple enough. I appreciate the quick response. Now I am really anxious to see my trophies.

So are we, be sure to post some pics as soon as you get them please.

 

[Jim Rea]

When I hear about the various shipping charges my first thought is what a racket. Not a whole lot you can do about it. The dip and pack shouldn't be much of a surprise as you should be able to have a pretty good idea before you even go on your trip. The one cost that really makes me cringe when I hear people talk about it though is the broker fees or clearing agents. Overall I would have to say what a total waste of money with the only stipulation being on where you live. If you live no where even close to a port of entry then o.k your kind of in a spot. If however you are by a port of entry you are a fool if you don't clear them yourself. Know that might sound kind of harsh but it's the way I feel about it. I have gone twice to South Africa and had the first batch done over there and the second batch dip and packed. Both times I did the paperwork myself (which probably at the most took twenty minutes) and cleared them myself. These shipping agents make it sound so difficult and act like you are really setting yourself up for disaster if you even consider doing it yourself. What a load of crap! I only live about 45 minutes from PDX but even if I lived 10 hours away I would still save a lot of money doing it myself. Keep in mind all they do is the paperwork and go clear them, you still have to pick them up or pay them even more to set up shipping to where you want them. I hear them talk about this much for import fees and this much for export fees and have to laugh. Makes it seem like they are doing so much when in reality they are doing that 20 minutes of paperwork, contacting U.S. fish and game to schedule an appointment and that's pretty much it. I had a long discussion with the Fish and Game agent I have gone through both times and she agreed that it really was a racket and couldn't believe more people didn't clear there own trophies. Anyway that's my rant. Any questions on this incredibly complicated process (lots of sarcasim) feel free to get a hold of me and I'll help any way I can.

jpomazi,
Could you please give me some pointers on who to contact and how to go about doing this myself? I live within 45 miles of Pittsburgh, Pa. which I believe is a Port of Entry.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

WOW I'm going to make this short and sweet. You guy's have talked me into doing the same thing I did last year, get my trophy's mounted there.
Taxidermy fees $4300 includes doc. Umilindi Taxidermy shipping $2100 to Atlanta, GA: Rex freight forward, Sprouls Customs clearing agent Alt. $140 I picked them up no charge 5hrs later I'm clearing space for them in my Game room. these include
Eastern Cape Greater Kudu floor Pedestal mount
Gemsbok floor Pedestal mount
Impala Wall Pedestal mount
Blesbok Shoulder mount
Black & Blue Wildebeest shoulder mounts
Mountain Reedbuck Shoulder mount
Springbuck Shoulder Mount
Warthog Tusk on sheild
and all in about 8 months from start to finish

Are you thrilled with the final product? I'm shopping around still as far as the taxidermy goes. I've got a dozen or so estimates for my animal list. The US ones are twice or more for the mounts, as I expected from reading here.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

jpomazi,
Could you please give me some pointers on who to contact and how to go about doing this myself? I live within 45 miles of Pittsburgh, Pa. which I believe is a Port of Entry.

Same for me. I can be in Chicago in about 5 hours. I don't mind making a drive to save several hundred in shipping! Grab a buddy and hit the road.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Are you thrilled with the final product? I'm shopping around still as far as the taxidermy goes. I've got a dozen or so estimates for my animal list. The US ones are twice or more for the mounts, as I expected from reading here.

I'm real happy with the work that was done and the 6-8 month turn around is great. Now they are not a master Taxidermist but they are a very good commercial grade taxidermist at a very good price.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

have you posted any picture yet?

 

[Bobpuckett]

have you posted any picture yet?

Yes you should be able to find them under my trophy room photos. I haven't got this new site down yet you can ask Brick or J to helpif you can't find them.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Click on your avatar, then the photos button. I can see all your picture from there. I did notice the warthog in the field wasn't the same one that is a full mount. Do you now have two notches on that belt?

The Zebra is my favorite. Wifey still isn't thrilled I"m going to get one, but she prefers that over my giraffe dream...

I really like that trophy room you have! One day I'll have a full room myself, but for now it'll just be those I get in September. Maybe a Texas hog next yer, if I decide to keep one. Was it difficult to make the pole bases for those mounts?