Cost to import two crates from RSA to Ohio

SCHUNTER73 said:
We just got the quote for our group’s 7 crates. It was roughly $10k less ($23k vs $13k roughly) by sea to Houston than air freight to Atlanta. We will have additional costs from Houston since we are in South Carolina, but we can easily drive to Atlanta to get them.
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Be very careful about the alluring price savings of sea shipments. There have been many posts on this forum and other hunting forums about people doing the sea shipment, and then getting hit with massive port charges when it gets here.

I have seen a lot of posts where people said it would have cost the same or been cheaper to air freight after the port fees.
 
Sabre said:
Be very careful about the alluring price savings of sea shipments. There have been many posts on this forum and other hunting forums about people doing the sea shipment, and then getting hit with massive port charges when it gets here.

I have seen a lot of posts where people said it would have cost the same or been cheaper to air freight after the port fees.
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Good call. Thanks for the heads up. I was lobbying for the air freight anyway.
 
Does anyone have a good contact at Coppersmith, or is it best to reach out to their regional office?
 
SCHUNTER73 said:
Does anyone have a good contact at Coppersmith, or is it best to reach out to their regional office?
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It’s probably best to talk to whoever will clear your crate.
 
Call the Dallas office, all air hunting crates are handled from there. Houston handles all sea freight. That said, that does not mean that DFW will be your first port of entry.
 
Just wanted to throw some current numbers in here. Just got shipping quote from South Africa to ATL, see below. Granted my crate is quite large, with 2 hunts worth of trophies, the shipping agent from SA did say due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East it's causing for increases in shipping cost out of SA. For reference crate size = 297x172x118cm. Volumetric weight of 1005.000, actual weight 363.00kg
 

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MntMan82 said:
Just wanted to throw some current numbers in here. Just got shipping quote from South Africa to ATL, see below. Granted my crate is quite large, with 2 hunts worth of trophies, the shipping agent from SA did say due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East it's causing for increases in shipping cost out of SA. For reference crate size = 297x172x118cm. Volumetric weight of 1005.000, actual weight 363.00kg
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WOW, some of those fees are unbelievable. If I saw that I would be looking for a new Freight broker is RSA.
 
wesheltonj said:
WOW, some of those fees are unbelievable. If I saw that I would be looking for a new Freight broker is RSA.
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Being as this is my first time shipping anything from RSA I deferred to my taxidermist in who he recommends and uses the most. This is with Safari Cargo Solutions. I think on this years hunt I'll be doing some research in between completion and shipping. Perhaps TTS since I'm a life member with AHG. Live and learn.
 
$1800 for total packing and shipping is crazy!! That has nothing to do with fuel increase
 
MntMan82 said:
Just wanted to throw some current numbers in here. Just got shipping quote from South Africa to ATL, see below. Granted my crate is quite large, with 2 hunts worth of trophies, the shipping agent from SA did say due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East it's causing for increases in shipping cost out of SA. For reference crate size = 297x172x118cm. Volumetric weight of 1005.000, actual weight 363.00kg
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Same report and information I received today. I’ll post my bill and details as soon as I get my updated invoice. I changed my port of entry to LAX from SFO for a specific reason based on my animals… So I’m waiting for a revised invoice.
 
@NIGHTHAWK , that’s probably a good call , heard quite a few nightmares coming from people that cleared through San Francisco.
 
Huntforever said:
$1800 for total packing and shipping is crazy!! That has nothing to do with fuel increase
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I was reading another thread on Forums today where a member that planned a hunt a year or better out was contacted by their PH with a 42% increase on their package hunt due to current world events and how it's affecting their costs. So I don't know if this is just an excuse for companies to make a money grab or if it's a legit reason for increase of services/goods due to how things are being influenced by current events. May have to resort to just taking pictures and that's all I bring back if this is going to be the new normal of importing trophies.
 
I’m sure there’s been some increase but it’s an excuse to gouge hunters. The world is ruled by money and everyone worried mostly about money. Outfitters doing this for the love not the money is not the norm today. They will eventually price the common man out of hunting. I will say I’ve seen a lot of deals and cancellation hunts being offer the last few months
 
Appropriate for this older thread with recent costs. Several mounts from a 2025 trip to Northern Cape are crated and ready to ship via Safari Cargo Solutions. This shipment will be routed through Chicago. This crate will contain three wall pedestals for Springbok, Nyala and Tsessebe; a Springbok skull, a blue wildebeest euro and tanned hide:

The shipment comprises of 1 x wooden case with the following logistics:

Chargeable mass: 158 kg

Actual mass: 73 kg

Dimensions (in cm)


CrateLengthWidthHeight
11247898

Cost:

Estimate – Air freight, to the amount of US $ 2,083.84, which terminates at Chicago (ORD) Airport, which excludes clearance and delivery charges.

Cost breakout

FREICHA FREIGHT CHARGES Z 1,185.00 USD
DEPFEE DEPARTURE FEE Z 177.75 USD
AWBFEE AIR WAYBILL FEE Z 40.00 USD
COURFEE COURIER FEES Z 55.00 USD
DOCSL DOCUMENTATION - LOCAL Z 150.00 USD
CARTA CARTAGE Z 150.10 USD
PACKING PACKING / RE-PACKING COSTS Z 150.10 USD
INSUR INSURANCE Z 111.09 USD
FINFEE FACILITY FEE Z 64.80 USD
2,083.84

TOTAL (INCL VAT):

VAT : 0.00

SUBTOTAL (EXCL VAT) :

$ 2,083.84 USD

No pricing on customs clearance/delivery to southwestern Ohio yet, will provide when settled. Have engaged Coppersmith for this shipment. Providing this as a data point.
 
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MntMan82 said:
I was reading another thread on Forums today where a member that planned a hunt a year or better out was contacted by their PH with a 42% increase on their package hunt due to current world events and how it's affecting their costs. So I don't know if this is just an excuse for companies to make a money grab or if it's a legit reason for increase of services/goods due to how things are being influenced by current events. May have to resort to just taking pictures and that's all I bring back if this is going to be the new normal of importing trophies.
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If an outfitter or PH contacted me to increase our agreed upon price 42% for a package hunt already set, I would request my deposit back and cancel the hunt.

Individual trophy fees can increase after you book the hunt, but the things already agreed upon like day fees, or package prices etc, those shouldn't be changing after the deal is made.

Huntforever said:
I’m sure there’s been some increase but it’s an excuse to gouge hunters. The world is ruled by money and everyone worried mostly about money. Outfitters doing this for the love not the money is not the norm today. They will eventually price the common man out of hunting. I will say I’ve seen a lot of deals and cancellation hunts being offer the last few months
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Yes, it does seem like there has been a move to gouge consumers in general lately, especially hunters. But it also won't stop until people start pushing back against it. Both when it comes up, and ahead of time by not overpaying exorbitant prices for things with lame excuses.

I have also noticed many more cancellations and "outfitter specials" this year than average.
 
I had my 2025 trophies shipped via FedEx.

My taxidermy was done in South Africa. After the taxidermy was completed, two shoulder mounts, a zebra skull and full pelt..It was picked up by AHG Shipping shipped directly to my home. They provided a quote for the crate and took care of the African and American export/import paperwork. It was relatively painless and I wasn't hit with any of the fees y'all are mentioning. And I live in Dallas.

My total cost was just over $1400 USD for the shipping. This was for a 3x3'x3.5' (approx) crate being picked up in RSA, and brought to my house via FedEx.

Not sure it that would even be an option for really big crates.
 
I just received my shipping quote, and I about had a heart attack. Total cost is $5972, with the airfare alone being $4317. The size of my crate is 81" x 45" x 53" for a total of 533 Volume weight. I'm sure the issue with Iran is not helping with the cost of fuel. Ugh! I'm glad I'm out of room to hang stuff, so no more mounts, pictures from now on. :)
 
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