Heading to Africa next month and kind of wanted to try to get an estimate of the cost to bring back the trophies. We will try to take 12-13 plains game and will have all the animals European mounted and a couple rugs done in Africa. There will be two of us going, one of the things I've read is each hunter has to have a separate container shipped back. Anyone have similar experience? What are some prices everyone's seen?

The outfitter you are using probably has a preferred taxidermist/dip and pack. Get their email and request a pricelist. They should also give you a rough idea of how much to get them back to the US. I too do most of my African animals as skull mounts and flat skins. It saves a bunch on taxidermy and shipping. Good luck and have fun. Please be warned that hunting in Africa is highly addictive!!!!

Look up a site called africahunting.com. it has a section devoted to any questions you may have regarding Africa. Trust me I lived on that site for months. Also get ahold of any reps your outfitter has here, they can also give you answers to alot of questions you have. PM me as well I'd be happy to tell you all I learned. Yes it is extremely additive.

I would price shop it before you go and not just send it to the guy your outfitter uses. I had 2 dip and pack quotes. One was $825 and the other was $1,795. Euros at the more expensive place were $200-300.

This is a really contentious subject on another, more Africa centered, hunting forum. What country are you hunting in? There are some great dip and pack outfits and there are some crooks. And like everything else in Africa, every step of the way someone tries to tack on a fee for themselves. The problems multiply when you are having to get them from a country outside South Africa into South Africa and out of Jo'burg. Never had any troubles with my Zim dip and pack, but Mozambique is always incredibly slow and expensive.

I'll be in SA and I've already spoke with and gotten a price list that is very detailed for all the services they provide and seem to be very reasonable. Like all the European mounts we'll be after are $140 each and the zebra rug is $350. He also list cost to crate depending on the number of animals.
I was most curious about the cost to ship which I hear can vary quite a bit depending on if it's by air or sea and what fuel is going for and any fees we'll be paying once they arrive back here in the US as far as customs and US fish and wildlife.

Mine have always come by air. I think that's how they'll ship yours, unless there's ivory, lion, probably leopard, or cape buffalo - after all the Cecil PC crap. I've never researched the sea shipping. Any type of pig or monkey will slow things down and require an extra form or two, but shouldn't be a problem on the plane.

Once here at, I assume, DFW, you'll either need a brokerage/clearing agent or research how to clear them yourself. Some guys swear by clearing them yourself, but I've never done it. I've always used a clearing agent, but I've never liked it. They charge a pretty penny for some paperwork. $900.00 comes to mind, each time, but I could be way off.

That's a steal on the zebra rug. Get references on the taxidermist. I've always had my stuff done over here.

What about each of us having to have a separate container to ship our trophies back?

I think that's standard and required.

Dip and pack and box will be about $2200 for that many...airfreight will be about $1800...yes legally, you will have to pack separate, as you will be on two different hunting registers. Use an agent such as WELL or Copersmith...worth there weight in gold. I have been on 6 African safaris...would not do it without them.


Ed

Yes you will have a separate container from the other person ,saves a lot of confusion.
I have been using coppersmith out of Atlanta as a broker ,they no the loop holes, very efficient I think they charged me somewhere around $400.00 well worth it.
If you have warthogs have them put on a plack and they will be classified as finished trophy's same with monkeys,
The shipping cost is done by weight & size of crate. Forrest

Your going to get screwed on them just like the rest of us! Trust me. Its expensive no matter who you use. But hunting is an expensive hobby. What I have started doing on safari. Take lots of pics. Most all of the horns will detach from the skulls on plains game or have them cut them off. get back and buy either a European mount or shoulder mount here in the states they are for sale everywhere. Then just put your horns on the mount you buy here. All you are shipping back is horns and can be curios. This way is ALOT cheaper.

Ditto

fyi i just got trophies back and are tanning.
sable
gembok
2 x impala
2 x blesbok

6 animals:
dip and pack $750
shipping and all import fees etc $1400

other 6 animals I am trying a taxidermist in South Africa who I spent a lot of time looking at work and referrals from USA customers good.
I am back there in May to look at taxidermy and do more hunting

Yes an agent will save you a great deal of frustration. Keep in mind that most shipping is based on volumetric weight not actual container weight and that method can run the cost up considerably. Most good safari operators in SA have this sorted out quite well, however that said you are going about this in the right way "homework" ahead of time.

You are going on an outstanding hunting adventure. SA is the best choice for your first African safari.