Importing Elephant - CITES

[jstanfor8]

Looking for recent experiences and recommendations with respect to using one of the following to assist with preparing CITES application and importing tusks and related trophies: Safari Specialty Importers, Conservation Force, or another?

 

[JimP]

Call and talk to Wyatt at SSI. If he doesn't answer just leave a message.

 

[Rare Breed]

Looking for recent experiences and recommendations with respect to using one of the following to assist with preparing CITES application and importing tusks and related trophies: Safari Specialty Importers, Conservation Force, or another?

I used Conservation Force for mine in 2023 and received US approval within 4 months

 

[375Fox]

I used Adventure Permits and got approval in about 2 months last year. Use adventure permits or conservation force if you want a fast approval. They then forward those approvals to your custom broker.

 

[Doug3006]

I just used Adventure Permits International for my leopard CITES permit. Jerad Dabney was most helpful and seems to have great knowledge of all such importing.

 

[BnC 04]

Used Conservation Force last October for our import permit on our Ele from Zim. Call and talk to Chad, ours was approved within 9 days if I remember correctly.

 

[Rare Breed]

I used Conservation Force for mine in 2023 and received US approval within 4 months

I have not got anything yet and had to renew it all due to Collets being slow

 

[Franco]

I have used Conservation Force for 2 elephants, a rhino, and a lion - quick, easy, and no issues. I do believe Wyatt capable of doing the same. Those are the only two I am familiar with.

 

[Franco]

I have not got anything yet and had to renew it all due to Collets being slow

Sorry to hear that. Seems the most trouble I've encountered has been getting the folks in Africa to do their part. One shipment was delayed because the PH hadn't signed the proper forms. His response was, "Well - these things take time".

I hope you get your trophies soon.

 

[jstanfor8]

I have not got anything yet and had to renew it all due to Collets being slow

Mine are with Colletts as well. How far behind are yours?

 

[375Fox]

I have used Conservation Force for 2 elephants, a rhino, and a lion - quick, easy, and no issues. I do believe Wyatt capable of doing the same. Those are the only two I am familiar with.

I have not used SSI but they are not supposed to be as fast as conservation force or adventure permits on securing the permits. I know they offer it but I actually haven’t heard of a case where they were used to obtain the import permits. My permit was issued quickly and they shipped quickly from Zimbabwe as well. I think the two permit specialists are worth the extra cost to ensure the permit is issued quickly before any regulations change.

 

[Rare Breed]

Mine are with Colletts as well. How far behind are yours?

going on 18 months now

 

[BnC 04]

Ours has been there since Oct of last year and just received an email last Thursday that they are getting the permits/paperwork together to ship out. What that means who knows but they do know that my permit expires in just under 2 months but they feel confident everything will be stateside prior to expiration.
Fingers crossed they are right.

 

[BryceM]

I used conservation force. It took around 18 months from the time the taxidermist was done tanning leather, quarantine, etc. That seems to be pretty standard for Caprivi, with Zim being much faster.

 

[Skshyk]

I applied in Oct 2024 with CF got my permits in 3 months. I have a lot of trophies with Collets, I am starting to get concerned.

 

[rookhawk]

Looking for recent experiences and recommendations with respect to using one of the following to assist with preparing CITES application and importing tusks and related trophies: Safari Specialty Importers, Conservation Force, or another?

Conservation Force are legitimate attorneys that have prevailed in major cases against USFWS with the full backing of DSC. When you donate to CF, you are signing a letter of legal representation and it sends a chill to USFWS. They prevail often and USFWS knows they have their facts correct.

I cannot speak to any other avenue because I've only used CF.

 

[Rare Breed]

Ours has been there since Oct of last year and just received an email last Thursday that they are getting the permits/paperwork together to ship out. What that means who knows but they do know that my permit expires in just under 2 months but they feel confident everything will be stateside prior to expiration.
Fingers crossed they are right.

They were one month out when I just did not trust I would clear US before my approved permit ran out. Conservation Force was fantastic...within three days I had the renewed permit giving me peace of mind.

 

[Rare Breed]

Conservation Force are legitimate attorneys that have prevailed in major cases against USFWS with the full backing of DSC. When you donate to CF, you are signing a letter of legal representation and it sends a chill to USFWS. They prevail often and USFWS knows they have their facts correct.

I cannot speak to any other avenue because I've only used CF.

@rookhawk completely nailed it!!! I was told by several outfitters that CF does just that...USFWS knows everything will be done correctly so they quickly approve it...sort of like when you have a CPA versus doing your taxes yourself...no, nothing frightens the IRS but I have been told by a friend who works for them that it definitely helps since they think twice before they audit even when audits are lottery chosen.

 

[WISafariHunter]

I was able to obtain my permit solo with the assistance of the outfitter and a little diligence on my end. Total process was about 3 to 4 months application, revision/ edits, final approval. Extending an approved permit was extremely easy and costs $100.

I used Trophy Shippers to handle the rest and provided them my USFWS docs along with other key personnel back in Africa.

I received my ivory a few weeks ago and all worked out well. The line at the tannery and taxidermist was what slowed down the pace.

Timeline: End of hunt June 2024. Delivered November 2025

 

[Russ16]

I was able to obtain my permit solo with the assistance of the outfitter and a little diligence on my end. Total process was about 3 to 4 months application, revision/ edits, final approval. Extending an approved permit was extremely easy and costs $100.

I used Trophy Shippers to handle the rest and provided them my USFWS docs along with other key personnel back in Africa.

I received my ivory a few weeks ago and all worked out well. The line at the tannery and taxidermist was what slowed down the pace.

Timeline: End of hunt June 2024. Delivered November 2025

What country were you importing from?