Cost of dip and ship

I have just started researching the dip and pack portion of this July's safari. I am in shock at how much this portion of the safari has increased. Maybe 25 animals was too many??? Being Canadian we have the old rule now being followed of possibly/probably shipping to a taxidermist for the Canadian dip and pack/cleaning process, this adds possibly $150 per species. Wow Need this figured out!!

MB

The taxidermist in Canada, at least around here, does not charge that fee if he is getting the work.
 
I was hoping a fellow Canadian with some current first hand knowledge/recommendations would jump in with names, advice and specific details to give me assistance. I have researched a ton, sent emails and received a few quotes, some are in line with Dennis's numbers above and seam OK but I worry that these companies are experienced with US importing but are "guessing" when it comes to first hand Canadian knowledge. I read twice the old thread here about Canadian import changes but am unsure of new real world info. I did call CBS but was told basically its up to agent who opens crate, if all IAW regs and paperwork perfect trophies could be released, any bad signs, paperwork issue or anti hunting person and shipment is sent for Canadian redo Dip and pack. Any one help?

Thanks

MB

Dip and Pack or finished trophies will be inspected by CFIA UPON ARRIVAL
Every crate will need to be inspected by CFIA. $25.00 TO $75.00

The BC contacts for CFIA
https://www.inspection.gc.ca/animal...imals/offices/eng/1300462382369/1300462438912
These folks should have a current list of Approved Facilities.

If it passes inspection, finished trophies can be taken home. No other fuss.

If you are having the taxidermy done here, then your CFIA inspected shipment will have to go to an CFIA approved facility. (Taxidermist, etc)
If it's the same place you are getting your work done, there should not be an extra fee involved. (Watch out for greedy sobs)

You can get the shipment picked up by an approved facility and then, after the approved facility deems them fit, send them to your taxidermist of choice. There will be a fee involved for this. Get quotes.

I saw fees as high as $150.00 per item when this first came out. Pure greed.
 
Dip and Pack or finished trophies will be inspected by CFIA UPON ARRIVAL
Every crate will need to be inspected by CFIA. $25.00 TO $75.00

The BC contacts for CFIA
https://www.inspection.gc.ca/animal...imals/offices/eng/1300462382369/1300462438912
These folks should have a current list of Approved Facilities.

If it passes inspection, finished trophies can be taken home. No other fuss.

If you are having the taxidermy done here, then your CFIA inspected shipment will have to go to an CFIA approved facility. (Taxidermist, etc)
If it's the same place you are getting your work done, there should not be an extra fee involved. (Watch out for greedy sobs)

You can get the shipment picked up by an approved facility and then, after the approved facility deems them fit, send them to your taxidermist of choice. There will be a fee involved for this. Get quotes.

I saw fees as high as $150.00 per item when this first came out. Pure greed.
Thanks BRICKBURN

I have a couple issues, first I am a budding taxidermist (20 years) and will do my own work. The large BC tannery I use and I are not CFIA approved, as of now there is only 1 in BC. I have spoken to BC CFIA tannery and was quoted $150 cnd per species for re-dip and pack? Plus shipping back and forth. Waiting on tanning estimates?

I have cleared all but 1 safari shipments both dip and pack (D&P) and mounted animals (never again), my one time I used a Cnd importer it cost $800, second safari I drove to Van, spent the day clearing shipment (2hrs at customs then 2 hrs at Bass Pro), this included many CITES, pigs, buff, ele, leopard was never really an issue. Important to have paperwork "perfect", regs printed, be courteous and patient. But each time homeward with shipment at end of day. Last was an exact repeat, took 1 hr at Van customs.

I called CFIA and was told that shipments must enter Port of Entry, (Van for me), when shipment is received it is opened and inspected. If anything is not in compliance: foreign matter, wood crate, leak proof container (CFIA web has Cnd eg websites), container not tamperproof lead tag sealed, not 6 mm plastic bags for individual species, if any of the above are found it is then resealed and sent to approved CFIA taxidermist facility for cleaning. This at hunters expense and is at the agents discretion???

I have called dip and pack companies in SA and it seams NONE are knowledgeable on these new (since 2013?) enforced rules. One even stated wooded crates, a definite fail. My outfitter has only shipped finished products for the last 4 years, this will not work for me.

I was hoping a fellow Canadian from this site had D&P enter without Canadian redos and could provide the company name. Seams there may be none. I want D&P done correct to standards up front to alleviate the Canadian D&P and shipping within Canada costs. Worst case I will call Alberta CFIA company, have Calgary?? as import Port and have them redo D&P if necessary, still get internal shipping costs but likely less one way Cal-Van, also get tan quotes from them.

This whole thing smells like the anti's have made an expensive issue for hunters when there was not one.

Any good SA D&P Canadian pass companies anyone?

Thanks

MB
 
..........
I was hoping a fellow Canadian from this site had D&P enter without Canadian redos and could provide the company name. Seams there may be none. I want D&P done correct to standards up front to alleviate the Canadian D&P and shipping within Canada costs. Worst case I will call Alberta CFIA company, have Calgary?? as import Port and have them redo D&P if necessary, still get internal shipping costs but likely less one way Cal-Van, also get tan quotes from them.

This whole thing smells like the anti's have made an expensive issue for hunters when there was not one.

Any good SA D&P Canadian pass companies anyone?

Thanks

MB

Vancouver can be hit and miss. Typically, they follow the rules. Know the rules and be prepared. I took on the Anti at my Port of Entry. I won, but it's a PIA. (I can be just as stubborn)

The way the regs are written EVERYTHING that is not finished work HAS TO GO TO an APPROVED FACILITY, PERIOD.

There is nothing about acceptable quality external D&P receiving a pass on this process. (Yup, thinly disguised anti hunting policy)

I'd see about creating your own little facility to receive your shipment.
After you receive it properly, your tannery does not need to be "Approved".

SAFARI CARGO SYSTEMS knows about the requirements for crating. Ensure you tell them your shipment is headed to Canada.

Good luck. :A Bang Head:
 
Vancouver can be hit and miss. Typically, they follow the rules. Know the rules and be prepared. I took on the Anti at my Port of Entry. I won, but it's a PIA. (I can be just as stubborn)

The way the regs are written EVERYTHING that is not finished work HAS TO GO TO an APPROVED FACILITY, PERIOD.

There is nothing about acceptable quality external D&P receiving a pass on this process. (Yup, thinly disguised anti hunting policy)

I'd see about creating your own little facility to receive your shipment.
After you receive it properly, your tannery does not need to be "Approved".

SAFARI CARGO SYSTEMS knows about the requirements for crating. Ensure you tell them your shipment is headed to Canada.

Good luck. :A Bang Head:
Thanks BRICKBURN

I will contact Safari Cargo Systems and see what they do for Canadians and Vancouver. The process I explained above skipping the Canadian Taxidermist for inspection was provided by the CFIA person in Van I spoke with. Lets hope this does not change, a small "hope" that they continue with this process. I will look at the regs/rules for a "facility qualifications" this may be an option. Seams the non hunting part of Safari has gotten more detailed and much more expensive.

Thanks

MB
 
My trophies have finally arrived in Reno from Tanzania. So here's a summary:
Eight animals; 4 european mounts, one Zebra hide, and three shoulder mounts. The Taxadermy work will be done at Animal Artistry here in Reno.
Dip and pack, $495.00.
Shipping from Tanzania to San Franciaco: $2,000.
Agent at San Francisco (customs and permits, Coppersmith): $994.

So, the Taxadermist hasn't touched the trophies yet, and I'm into it $3,500.

A couple of noteworthy items:
One of the trophies is a baboon skull. That cost me about a month delay and required several additional permits.
Coppersmith was very helpful! Responsive and courteous, and they kept things moving.

I'm going to do the european mounts, so taxaermy costs will be for one cape buffalo shoulder mount, one Oribi shoulder mount, and one zebra rug. Those will set me back about $3,500. Soooooo, the cost of getting the trophies here cost as much as getting work done on them.

Not complaining, but I wasn't aware of all these costs until the invoices started rolling in. I hope this thread will help the first time safari hunter in budgeting and planning. Cheers!
 
Good information,
Fortunately I've read a lot and already have rough quotes and budgeted in for my safari that is still over a year away
 
Agent at San Francisco (customs and permits, Coppersmith): $994.

So, the Taxidermist hasn't touched the trophies yet, and I'm into it $3,500.

@Rum Runner Did the $994 include the trucking charge to get your shipment from San Francisco to the taxi in Reno? When I've used Coppersmith (who does a great job) the trucking to the tannery or taxidermist is usually included with all the permits and inspect fees. Coppersmith's charge is usually ~$300-400 for handling all this.

These are my costs from a 2016 hunt in RSA:

Cost for dip & pack, crate, etc 9 PG animals (kudu x 2, nyala x2, impala x 2, blesbok, eland, zebra) $1400. Note: this includes a ground shipping charge from Port Elizabeth to JNB.
(104 kg)

Cost to air ship from RSA to Seattle via SAA and United: $1100

Cost to clear, transfer, store, paperwork, etc by Coppersmith: $477

Cost to ground ship to tannery in Montana: $425
 
Last edited:
@Rum Runner Did the $994 include the trucking charge to get your shipment from San Francisco to the taxi in Reno? When I've used Coppersmith (who does a great job) the trucking to the tannery or taxidermist is usually included with all the permits and inspect fees. Coppersmith's charge is usually ~$300-400 for handling all this.

These are my costs from a 2016 hunt in RSA:

Cost for dip & pack, crate, etc 9 PG animals (kudu x 2, nyala x2, impala x 2, blesbok, eland, zebra) $1400. Note: this includes a ground shipping charge from Port Elizabeth to JNB.
(104 kg)

Cost to air ship from RSA to Seattle via SAA and United: $1100

Cost to clear, transfer, store, paperwork, etc by Coppersmith: $477

Cost to ground ship to tannery in Montana: $425

I looked over their invoice closely, and they didn't charge me for that part of the journey. Costs could go up for that leg of the journey.

In just about every way RSA is cheaper than Tanzania. This is another example of that!
 
One other note. Because of the baboon skull, I was not allowed to pick up the trophies myself. They all had to go dedicated to a USDA vertified taxadermist, which Animal Artistry is.
 
I`m about to get my trophies
Shouldermount Bushbuck, Buffalo cow scull on a shield and Bushbuck scull on a shield
So far I got a invoice for 1028 USD from South Africa to Oslo Airport, Norway thats all inklusive.
Airfare alone is 487,50USD
The rest is taxes.
 
Just picked my shipment up a couple of weeks ago, here's the break down:

Animals:
Eland
Waterbuck
Lechwe
Sable
Springbok
Fallow
Black Wildebeest
Mnt. Reedbuck
Nyala
Zebra

Had 9 European mounts and the zebra rug, had all taxidermy done in SA.

Taxidermy: $1,645
Crating/paperwork/shipping: $1,617
Cost to pick up from Delta Cargo: $70

10 Animals, taxidermy finished and shipped home for a total of $3,332
 
This is why more and more taxidermy is being done in Africa. The dip and ship costs and then the timeframe are just too much.
 
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This is why more and more taxidermy is being done in Africa. The dip and ship costs and then the timeframe are just too much.
That's why I'm looking at it. I'm only gonna do euros and I know the potential risk. But you do away with the dip fees. The savings is substantial.
If I was going to do mounts I would rethink things though.
 
This is why more and more taxidermy is being done in Africa. The dip and ship costs and then the timeframe are just too much.

Agree, but quality sucks. I paid more.... a lot more to ha e it brought back. Just so my last safari doesn’t turn out like my first 2. (Taxidermy). @gizmo
 
That's why I'm looking at it. I'm only gonna do euros and I know the potential risk. But you do away with the dip fees. The savings is substantial.
If I was going to do mounts I would rethink things though.
Wade, you might want to talk to Matt at Precision and see if he could use any of the capes from what you are planning to shoot. He may be willing to pay for the dip and pack to get them
 
I learned two things with our taxidermy/shipping:
Giraffe are really big and a lot more cost to do a flat skin
Ostrich skin and feathers will result in quarantine in the USA and added cost.

both were totally worth it. I had the ostrich skin made into a gun case and saddle bags for my dad for his birthday, which he loved.
 
Anyone out there tell me if I am getting screwed?? I have 2 cape buffalo, a hippo scull 4 hippo legs, a nyassa wildabeast and warthog. Nothing taxidermied just capes and cleaned and dipped. $3500.00

I thought that is really high priced. Oh, 400.00 to dip and crate..

Anyone out there to give me advice and make me not so hurt in the hind end??
 
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