Bringing home purchased skins/ hide products

csmcclain

csmcclain

AH veteran
Joined
Feb 16, 2024
Messages
210
Reaction score
454
Media
7
Hunting reports
Africa
1
Hunted
South Africa & United States (Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, & Wyoming)
Going back in September, and I was thinking of picking up a few of the various animal hide products from either a gift store or the one at the Johannesburg airport (springbok pillows or a zebra hide).

Is this even possible or does it require import paperwork to actually enter the US with them?

I know not to bring biltong back (or at least not to get caught).
 
I had no trouble at all bringing back hides. It is finished taxidermy. I declared them with customs, I told them where I bought them and it was okay have a nice day from them. I had them out I. A plastic bag I. Case they wanted to inspect them but they didn’t. Brought back springbok and impala.
 
Fryeguy said:
I had no trouble at all bringing back hides. It is finished taxidermy. I declared them with customs, I told them where I bought them and it was okay have a nice day from them. I had them out I. A plastic bag I. Case they wanted to inspect them but they didn’t. Brought back springbok and impala.
Click to expand...
What year was that?
 
Check with your outfitter or his taxidermist. May be a LOT cheaper than buying them up at the airport or a gift shop. No issues at Dulles with three flat skins.
 
If I remember correctly the gas stations were around $600. Your outfitter should be able to get one even better than a gas station I imagine.
 
Back in 2021 we brought back mountain reedbuck, blesbok and blue wildebeest skins. Had the paperwork from the taxidermist and a paper testifying that they were harvested legally. My daughter wanted a springbok skin so we bought one at O.R. Tambo and the gift shop gave us the same paperwork that the taxidermist gave us.

When we cleared customs in Atlanta the agent asked if we had paperwork for the tanned hides and when I started to dig them out of my carryon he just said “welcome home” without even looking at it and sent us on our way.
 
I bought a zebra flat skin at the airport for $1000 usd. There are various grades/ prices and other species. They provide you with paperwork but your luggage is already checked so you have to put it in your carry on. If you buy one elsewhere you could put it on your checked in luggage.-2018
 
csmcclain said:
Going back in September, and I was thinking of picking up a few of the various animal hide products from either a gift store or the one at the Johannesburg airport (springbok pillows or a zebra hide).

Is this even possible or does it require import paperwork to actually enter the US with them?

I know not to bring biltong back (or at least not to get caught).
Click to expand...
Just keep the receipt.
 
csmcclain said:
Is this even possible or does it require import paperwork to actually enter the US with them?

I know not to bring biltong back (or at least not to get caught).
Click to expand...
I did both.

I played stupid, my favourite game. In case of this being an issue, I would excuse myself for total ignorance, so typical of me, and would drop them to garbage bin.

So, I bought the skins in gift shop, and took them home. (I kept receipts)
In checked in luggage

We made biltong in camp, vacuumed, I brought home in checked in luggage.

Flights to Europe.
I dont know about USA.

But in my case, there was no problem.
 
A backed Zebra skin cost us about $500, 2 years ago from our SA Taxidermist, we got a few pillows too and took just the covers and left the inside stuffing part behind so we could fit them in checked baggage. At Tambo a much lower grade zebra skin was 1400, and some were at high as 2000.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1144 more.
Total: 306,599 (members: 1,194, guests: 305,405)

Forum statistics

Threads
70,036
Messages
1,562,531
Members
166,574
Latest member
saufisretha1986
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

A
autofire wrote on Dr Ray's profile.
Hi Dr. Ray, I will be in Cooktown from Oct 16 to Oct 23 fishing Lizard Island Black Marlin Tournament.

I have several "slack" days after fishing before I head for stay in Sydney and Fiji.

Do you have any recommendations for 1 or 2 day hunt near Cooktown?

I've hunted both DG and PG in 4 different countries in Africa.
Thank you,
Bob
•••
A
Alex Sniper wrote on Bynotic's profile.
Good morning. I see that you had a Sauer 202 for sale for $3,000. Did you sell it at that price?
I have one for sale as well. I listed it (on here ) at $3,000 as well. Is the price high, low or right where it should be?

Thanks. Alex. [redacted] in case you want to call me to discuss further. I appreciate your time help and support.
•••
The Don
The Don
I broke my cherry, August 2026, 41" Cape, hooked for life.
•••
S
Schaapen
Member of the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association
•••
S
supergrizzly wrote on AZDAVE's profile.
Dave, I could use both of them if still available. I just picked up a new .22 mag and a .22 pump that they would be perfect on.
•••

Share this page

 
Top