I've been contacted by the shipping company and sent the master air bill. I'm having 7 European mounts and a rug sent back (all finished taxidermy) no swine, primates, or endangered animals. I'm filling out the 3-177 form now. The flights are going to Turkey to LAX then to Dallas. Haven't been given the specifics of coming from LAX to DFW. Lands in LA on 12/14. Just wondering what to expect once the create is stateside. Will FWS contact me once it's in LA or will I not be contacted till it gets into DFW? How is the process once I go up to DFW to claim them? Kinda looking for anyone who's cleared their own trophies to list all the things they wish they knew before they did it.

I'll follow this with interest. I've used Coppersmith here in Dallas twice without issue other than $$$. My last trip included a warthog, so I didn't try to clear my own shipment.

I cleared trophies myself from New Zealand in 2015. It was a bit confusing but it took me about 2 hours total vs. paying Coppersmith $400+. Well worth my trouble. You need an FWS account https://edecs.fws.gov/

My trophies came in directly to Port of Anchorage, so it was super easy for me to drive over to the airport on lunch and clear them. If your port of entry is LAX and you're in Texas, you probably need to hire someone.

Curious when you hunt was and how long its taken?

Hunt was in May.

Unless I am mistaken the trophies will need to be cleared at LAX. They need to be cleared at first port of entry they arrive at. Until cleared they don't go anywhere. I too have used Coppersmith. You can do it yourself if you really want to. Just not sure how to do it if you aren't physically present. Could be a bit more challenging. I'd suggest using a importer.
Bruce

Nice!

My six euros came from Nambi and I had the taxi ship them to DFW and I picked up from Coppersmiths location in Dallas.

Ok guys, here’s how everything went down. I got notification from the warehouse (land air express) at DFW that they had received the shipment from Turkish Air. I filed all my paperwork with USFWS electronically, so I called them and let them know they were at the warehouse for inspection. FWS agent said it would likely be 2-3 days before they were ready for inspection, said I would get an email when FWS had inspected and cleared the trophies..... approximately 37 minutes later I got the email with the paperwork stamped cleared. So now it was off to Customs. All they required was the invoice and packing list sent from the taxidermist and the clearance document from FWS. The agent filled out the customs form for us and stamped it for clearance. Off to the warehouse, where we paid $55 (cash or money order, exact change only) for their holding the shipment. Gave her the clearance from Customs and FWS she took the money gave me all the documentation from the shipment and directed me to the rear of the warehouse where a forklift loaded the boxes in the back of my truck. Everything went pretty smooth, only hiccup was at the warehouse the lady noticed Customs had put the pickup location as Turkish air and said we’d have to have it changed, luckily another employee overheard and said it was fine.

On a sad note my father-in-law had 4 trophies in his box, impala, gemsbok, wildebeest, and blesbok, and three of the four were damaged. Impala was the worst followed by the gemsbok and wildebeest. His blesbok was fine. All were euro’s. I had 7 euros and a rug and the only damage I had was to my gemsbok and I fixed it pretty easy with some supper glue. Needless to say he’s on the way to his taxidermist as I type.

You did the import yourself?

I always use coppersmith.

You are a brave man.

Glade it was so smooth for you. sorry for your father. Forrest

I did import myself, it was really not that difficult. Just learning the paperwork for the first time but I called USFWS a few times and asked questions and make sure everything I put on the forms was correct. Made sure they had everything they needed from the taxidermist and shiper. They were pretty helpful some more than others. The people I spoke with at customs were helpful. I never even had to go to FWS, I know that may be different if you have primates or swine. I filed all paperwork online they approved and cleared it. I’m assuming since it was all plains game, all European mounts, and all finished product, not dip and pack, they never even went to look at it. I could tell the boxes had not been opened prior to us opening them because the custody seals were never broken.

I’m just hoping the taxidermist can repair his three that are damaged.

The first is gonna be hard to fix the second not so bad! But otherwise looks awesome!!

I'd be miffed at the taxi that packed that for shipment. No excuse for a euro shipped in a wooden crate to be damaged.

I've imported all my own for years through Baltimore, it is easy just a little time consuming going back & forth between offices. No offense to those "agents" but it isn't worth as much as they charge unless you don't want to put a little time into it.

Incorrect mine came in thru Washington to Dallas I have cleared twice and had no issues

Nice congrats!