Trophies are ready, question on Customs and collect charges

[Hunt anything]

SCI and DSC need too really get involved in this scam.

 

[coreydb]

I just received my own shipment approximately that size and the cost to ship to me was right at a couple grand. I rented a trailer and picked the crate up. I would only recommend you go with the closest port of entry to you. I used both import companies on this site and was extremely satisfied with both. It'll cost you $$$ either way.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I would think of you live in DFW, the extra cost qould about be the same as shipping from Houston?

 

[wesheltonj]

I would think of you live in DFW, the extra cost qould about be the same as shipping from Houston?

I've looked at a couple of my Invoices. Inland freight from Dulles to San Antonio (Jan 2025) was 384.80 and DFW to San Antonio (Aug 2025) was 410.06. The USDA at DFW was 639.50. About $200 cheaper even living in the Metroplex.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I've looked at a couple of my Invoices. Inland freight from Dulles to San Antonio (Jan 2025) was 384.80 and DFW to San Antonio (Aug 2025) was 410.06. The USDA at DFW was 639.50. About $200 cheaper even living in the Metroplex.

Arbitrage!

 

[samson7x]

USDA in DFW charges an exam fee based on the weight and size of the crate. No more free animals. Mine for 4 animals from Europe was $639.50, that just the USDA fee. The total from Coppersmith was $2,126.47. Dip and pack - Chamois, Red, Chamois, Fallow and Roe Deers.

In Texas, use IAH as the work around as they are not currently charge a fee for inspection. However, new fees coming to an inspection station near you soon.

What a rip off. Although mine are already there, thanks for the heads up.

 

[mdwest]

I just picked up a crate from Coppersmith a DFW yesterday.. 4 shoulder mounts (2x black wildebeest, 1x Red hartebeest, 1x copper springbok) and 1x euro (blue wildebeest), and 1x back skin (black wildebeest)..

Breakdown of fees paid to Coppersmith (inclusive of USG fees):

Costs have definitely gone up significantly in recent years.. in 2019 I had a crate 2.5x bigger with 9x mounts and a lot of skins inside delivered.. All in to Coppersmith was about $650... Whats key to note is CS's fees have only gone up $50 since then.. all of the other increases are related to the government or the airport warehouses, etc...

Shipping has almost doubled as well..

Thankfully we are pretty close to the end of our taxidermy journey.. with the new crate there are now 37 mounts in the house.. its gotten a bit excessive lol.. and I've still got 3 more coming (sika deer, red stag, elk).. we'll be doing photos and photo albums from this point forward I am pretty sure unless something truly once in a lifetime, world class, etc..etc.. comes along..

 

[farmer_john]

I just picked up a crate from Coppersmith a DFW yesterday.. 4 shoulder mounts (2x black wildebeest, 1x Red hartebeest, 1x copper springbok) and 1x euro (blue wildebeest), and 1x back skin (black wildebeest)..

Breakdown of fees paid to Coppersmith (inclusive of USG fees):

View attachment 731697

Costs have definitely gone up significantly in recent years.. in 2019 I had a crate 2.5x bigger with 9x mounts and a lot of skins inside delivered.. All in to Coppersmith was about $650... Whats key to note is CS's fees have only gone up $50 since then.. all of the other increases are related to the government or the airport warehouses, etc...

Shipping has almost doubled as well..

Thankfully we are pretty close to the end of our taxidermy journey.. with the new crate there are now 37 mounts in the house.. its gotten a bit excessive lol.. and I've still got 3 more coming (sika deer, red stag, elk).. we'll be doing photos and photo albums from this point forward I am pretty sure unless something truly once in a lifetime, world class, etc..etc.. comes along..

How do you decorate without it looking cluttered thats a healthy number of mounts

 

[samson7x]

I'm reminded of the following meme


Trophy shipments be like:

 

[mdwest]

Theyre pretty well spread out all over the house.. we dont really have a "trophy room".. its more of a trophy house... which helps in terms of cluttered appearance.. but creates a bit of a decorator problem (every room in the house looks the same lol).. but thats my wifes problem (2/3 of the taxidermy is hers.. so... lol...)...

Ive got 6 mounts in my office.. there are 2 in the guest bedroom.. 4 in my youngest daughters bedroom (they are hers).. 4 in the game room.. 4 in the den area.. a couple in our movie theater/movie room.. etc..etc..

The room that has gotten out of hand is the master bedroom... Ive got 14x sets of eyes that watch me sleep every night...

its definitely... ummmmm..... different? lol..

that doesnt count the two zebra rugs (one in the daughters room.. one in the master bedroom..).. and the wildebeest rug (also in the master bedroom)...

 

[Ryan Brown]

Below is a screenshot of the fees i just paid at DFW Coppersmith for hides skull and horns for a cape Buffalo, bushbuck, duiker, eland, hartebeest, sable, warthog and, zebra. Total weight was 396lbs. I had no issues at DFW. I picked this up last Friday.

 

[EarlsSon]

Below is a screenshot of the fees i just paid at DFW Coppersmith for hides skull and horns for a cape Buffalo, bushbuck, duiker, eland, hartebeest, sable, warthog and, zebra. Total weight was 396lbs. I had no issues at DFW. I picked this up last Friday.
View attachment 731699

Thank you Sir.

 

[EarlsSon]

I just picked up a crate from Coppersmith a DFW yesterday.. 4 shoulder mounts (2x black wildebeest, 1x Red hartebeest, 1x copper springbok) and 1x euro (blue wildebeest), and 1x back skin (black wildebeest)..

Breakdown of fees paid to Coppersmith (inclusive of USG fees):

View attachment 731697

Costs have definitely gone up significantly in recent years.. in 2019 I had a crate 2.5x bigger with 9x mounts and a lot of skins inside delivered.. All in to Coppersmith was about $650... Whats key to note is CS's fees have only gone up $50 since then.. all of the other increases are related to the government or the airport warehouses, etc...

Shipping has almost doubled as well..

Thankfully we are pretty close to the end of our taxidermy journey.. with the new crate there are now 37 mounts in the house.. its gotten a bit excessive lol.. and I've still got 3 more coming (sika deer, red stag, elk).. we'll be doing photos and photo albums from this point forward I am pretty sure unless something truly once in a lifetime, world class, etc..etc.. comes along..

Thank you Sir.

 

[EarlsSon]

Here’s a breakdown of my most recent shipment. I’ve never had 2 invoices the same. Broker fee is $400 then subtract out the final shipping. I’m told 1 day of airline storage is unavoidable now.
View attachment 731675

Thank you Sir.