Question for those who import their own trophies into the U.S.

TXhunter65

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In 2017 I was my own agent/broker for importing mine and my father-in-law's trophies from Africa. Everything went smoothly no issues at all. However, I was told then the shipper could not put all our trophies in one create because they US required each hunter to have his own create.....Fast forward to 2019, I'm getting ready to import trophies for a buddy and myself and the shipper has indicated they will all be in one create. So have the rules and regulations changed, was I lied to in 2017, or am I about to be in for one big headache in 2019? The current shipper is African Trophy Exports so I would think they know what they are doing but then again....you never know!
 
Forget what the African shippers tell you. They are generally clueless as to the regs and are only interested in your money. Save yourself a lot of grief and potentially lost trophies and ship separate crates.
 
I recently recieved this from @TROPHY SHIPPERS.
Quote
"It is a general rule of thumb that each hunter must have their items in their own crate. However, there are certain ports of entry that allow multiple hunters in one crate at this time. This may change by the time your shipment is ready to go."
 
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TXhunter65, What kind of paperwork did you have to fill out to be able to import your own trophies? Are you located close to a port of entry. Do all ports of entry have facilities for clearing trophies / animal parts?
 
TXhunter65, What kind of paperwork did you have to fill out to be able to import your own trophies? Are you located close to a port of entry. Do all ports of entry have facilities for clearing trophies / animal parts?



edecs

https://edecs.fws.gov

POE must have USF&W LEOs.
 
I use a CPA for my taxes, an attorney for documents and filings, and an import service for my trophy shipments, I do this not because I have money to burn, but because they are more knowledgeable than I am about their fields, and I don't need to know all the details.. Most of the time I don't spend any more money than if I tried to do it myself, and allows me to keep what hair I have left. Those of you who have the time and want to do your own have my admiration.
 
In 2017 I was my own agent/broker for importing mine and my father-in-law's trophies from Africa. Everything went smoothly no issues at all. However, I was told then the shipper could not put all our trophies in one create because they US required each hunter to have his own create.....Fast forward to 2019, I'm getting ready to import trophies for a buddy and myself and the shipper has indicated they will all be in one create. So have the rules and regulations changed, was I lied to in 2017, or am I about to be in for one big headache in 2019? The current shipper is African Trophy Exports so I would think they know what they are doing but then again....you never know!
You must use an importer. If one thing is wrong on the paperwork they burn your trophies. There is no way any of us can know all of the regulations. The African shippers do not know all USFWS regs.
Each hunter must have a separate crate now. please contact @TROPHY SHIPPERS for your imports.
Regards,
Philip
 
They sent all the paperwork in two packets one for me and one for my friend but I noticed there was only one invoice, it had both our names, but only listed and gave dimensions of one crate.
 
TXhunter65, What kind of paperwork did you have to fill out to be able to import your own trophies? Are you located close to a port of entry. Do all ports of entry have facilities for clearing trophies / animal parts?

Had to fill out the declaration of importation with USFW. Once the crate arrived I informed them, they inspected the crate sent me the clearance, I took all the info to customs they reviewed the documentation and gave me the paperwork to pick it up from the holding facility. Went and picked it up. Was a simple process, USFW was very helpful I called and spoke with one agent multiple times before the crate arrived. My shipment was also all finished taxidermy, no CITES species, one rug and rest European mounts. This shipment is also all finished taxidermy with one shoulder mount, 18 European mounts, and one rug. Only CITES species is lechwe but it’s only listed in Appendix II and only requires a permit from SA which I already have. Should be straight forward and the same simple process.
 
If you will read enough on here you will find those that did their own importing with zero problems until that one shipment. Then they are put through a new hell.

The importers whoever they are that people choose to do business with earn their fees and I wouldn't even think about trying it. If you get a good one they will take care of everything while you are sitting at home sipping on your favorite beverage until the crate arrives at your front doorstep or your taxidermy shop.
 
TXhunter65, thanks for the explanation. I'm glad it worked out well for you. However, I'm still not convinced that everyone is able to do it. Location obviously plays an important part in this process.
 
From HuntingTrophy.com (Coppersmith):
"Every hunter must now be packed in his or her own carton/box/crate for CBP/AMS reporting purposes. There needs to be one single Importer of Record due to ACS system limitations, which only allow for the submission of a single ultimate consignee per each piece count. Some ports will allow multiple hunters packed in one crate, but most will NOT. We do NOT recommend comingling shipments. If there is a problem with one of the hunters, all are detained."
 
I would have to shipment separated just to alleviate any issues that may arise. I was over in Feb and was told each Hunter needed their own crate. Talk to Tom over at Trophy Shippers, great guy and he will get it all straightened out for you.
 
The shipper and taxidermist have both confirmed they are in two crates and the shipper is revising the invoice to have one for each of us. They’re still waiting on the export permit from the Free State for my kudu bone cores. All seems in order now.
 
@Shootist43, you're right its not for everyone and location absolutely plays a big big part in clearing your own trophies. I've read all the horror stories and I feel for everyone who's had issues especially those dealing with agency employee's who were less than helpful and unfriendly to top it off. Not sure if I've been lucky, if its a Texas thing or what, but in my two experiences both Fish and Wildlife and Customs and Boarder Protection have been very helpful and easy to deal with.

I think like most things the process seems much more complicated than it actually is... I'm not going to say its easy peasy but it comes down making sure you have your paper work, filling out the eDec, and communicating with Fish and Wildlife. The shipper provides the paperwork, the eDec is one to two pages (depending on how many animals you import) has a set of detailed instructions on how to fill it out, and the rest is communication.

I think brokers provide an excellent service for hunters and for many it offers much needed peace of mind and relief from having to learn the process. If I were importing dip and pack, or more complicated CITES species it may be something I would look into.

I'll start another thread with pics.
 
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, once we got the invoice corrected to reflect the two crates all went smooth.
 

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