Advice

[rsmurray]

In 2023 I hunted Chawala Wilderness of Mozambique w Russ Lovemore. Had a great hunt took a Buffalo, Hippo, Croc and nice Bushbuck (I wrote the hunt up and posted pics on here). This website was very helpful in preparing me for this hunt. The only issue I had (and maybe this is “normal”) was w/taxidermy. I had Russ transport my trophies out after the season and eventually (in early 24) they arrived at Splitting Image (about $4k later). I wont get these back until about the time I leave for my next safari in late June of this year (26). The buffalo is going to be pedestal mount, Bushbuck wall pedestal, getting hide and skull of croc, just skull on hippo. This trip I am hunting Leopard and Buff along with whatever else opportunity brings. If I am so fortunate as to take a Leopard on this first attempt, I would want full body. Any advice on getting everything back to the states would be appreciated. I dont think I want to leave everything in Afr again. Likey Euro’s on everything else unless we take a really big trophy.

 

[375Fox]

Mozambique seems to be the most expensive country to get your trophies home from. I haven’t been as eager to hunt it because the total cost of getting your trophies home seems too high, but from reports here it varies a lot per outfitter, but all go through South Africa with added cost. People underestimate it, because hunt prices are cheaper, but South Africa and Namibia can be expensive too because the dip and pack and crating price is high. Other countries are often flat fees instead of per animal. I paid around $3500 total (dip, pack, ship) each time to get my trophies to US from Zimbabwe. I paid $700 flat dip and pack and $1750 shipping from Tanzania recently. I’m writing this assuming this was your first safari. My advice would be to research the costs to get your trophies home from each country when booking/budgeting for a hunt. Some countries are cheaper than others after the hunt.

 

[JimP]

I'd start talking to importers here in the US and find out just how far they are going to go for you.

There are good ones, not so good ones and some in the middle. For a Leopard I think that I would want a very experienced one that has imported a number of them and know the in's and out's of the paperwork that is involved.

Did you use a importer for the shipment that you are expecting or trying to do it by yourself?

 

[375Fox]

Maybe I misunderstood the question. Make contact with a custom broker here. I use coppersmiths. Genus logistics and safari specialty importers have good reputations too. They can discuss recommended ports of entry with you. Splitting image can also put you in contact with their recommended shipper who can also recommend customs brokers in US they work well with. You can also reach out to conservation force or adventure permits for advice on importing the leopard specifically and what permits will be needed.

 

[rsmurray]

I have only spoken with the folks at Splitting Image.

 

[Hunt anything]

I concur with @375Fox , get Conservation Force involved on the leopard paperwork!

I’ve used EMIAC to export my Mozambique trophies to South Africa, unfortunately I can’t remember who exported them from South Africa to Atlanta. I also use Coppersmiths.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Moz so not sure if EMIAC is still in business. The export companies are pretty thin on the ground in Moz and I believe this contributes to the higher prices.

 

[JimP]

I'd give Wyatt at Safari Speciality Importers a call and talk to him about it. He might surprise you at what he knows and can do for you

 

[Scott CWO]

Your outfitter should get your trophies to a shipping company instead of a taxidermist this time. That’s the norm. Then you need an import broker agent here in the States. I use Vantage Point Services in Seattle but there are several other companies, such as Coppersmith’s, etc…

 

[Hunt anything]

I went and found my export paperwork from RSA on my Mozambique trophies, EMIAC was the exporter , they have a dip&pack facility in Chiombo and handled everything from Mozambique until they were handed off to Coppersmiths and then on to the Wildlife Gallery.

 

[Rare Breed]

I have only spoken with the folks at Splitting Image.

I just got my Blue Wildebeest rug back from Splitting Image. It took two years to get it from them but the finished product was excellent

 

[matt vejar]

With a leopard I would send it to a warehouse that has USDA Ag approved warehouse so you don’t get stuck with airline or Ag clearance etc. warehousing fees. In 2024 I had 6 kudu skulls and some other plains game shipped from Botswana. I sent them to Coppersmiths in Atlanta where they have an approved warehouse. They then trucked them to California and my home for $800 . My warehouse extra fees were $400 bucks plus their standard import fees -cheap. In 2022 I got hit with $3200 in airline storage fees on a shipment from Tanzania plus $2k in import fees that contained a warthog and baboon!! Expensive lesson when it comes to CITIES, primates and swine animals. $800 + $400 Vs $3200 in extra fees above your standard import fees!!!

 

[matt vejar]

San Francisco is the worst airport to import anything into!! LAX is easiest if you leave in California.