Delays in shipping trophies from South Africa

[yukonspirit]

I have hunted now twice in South Africa and had a less than good experience with shipping of my trophies to my taxidermist in The Netherlands. The problem has been the very long delay in getting the trophies shipped. In fact, trophies collected during October 2023 still haven’t been shipped, even thought the taxidermist only needed to dip and pack, as the mounting would be done in The Netherlands. So the dipping process of the first batch of trophies had been completed by April 2024... but the trophies are still sitting on the docks. The excuses by the taxidermist and shipping company have been about permitting, veterinarian inspections and delays associated with these.
Also there has been little follow up on the shipments by the taxidermist and the shipper rarely responds to my inquiries. Obviously I have to change taxidermists and shippers, and I am interested to hear about other members' experiences.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve had my dip and pack trophies in under 6 months, but anything under a year from hunt I’d consider acceptable. The only exception being my March 2020 trophies.

 

[375Fox]

I also don’t know who you hunt with but some of blame that goes on taxidermy and shipper could also be on the outfitter. They have to submit the proper paperwork as well. It’s difficult to distinguish at times, but one shipping issue I had in a different country I initially blamed fully on shipper started with outfitter. A permit was either misplaced or not submitted so shipper just left those trophies out without informing me or the outfitter.

 

[DieJager]

I have hunted now twice in South Africa and had a less than good experience with shipping of my trophies to my taxidermist in The Netherlands. The problem has been the very long delay in getting the trophies shipped. In fact, trophies collected during October 2023 still haven’t been shipped, even thought the taxidermist only needed to dip and pack, as the mounting would be done in The Netherlands. So the dipping process of the first batch of trophies had been completed by April 2024... but the trophies are still sitting on the docks. The excuses by the taxidermist and shipping company have been about permitting, veterinarian inspections and delays associated with these.
Also there has been little follow up on the shipments by the taxidermist and the shipper rarely responds to my inquiries. Obviously I have to change taxidermists and shippers, and I am interested to hear about other members' experiences.

If I may ask?Who is the shipping company?

 

[yukonspirit]

The shipping company is R.V. Exporters from Ravenswood, Gauteng

 

[migrabill]

I live in the US. My hunt occurred in June of 2024. I had my Dip and pack trophies hit the US in November of 2024.

 

[yukonspirit]

That sounds good migrabill! Who was your taxidermist and shipper?

 

[wildfowler.250]

Has anyone considered getting the taxidermist to put an AirTag in? Having these crates sitting around / possibly going missing gives me the fear and they’re not that expensive

 

[yukonspirit]

Good point!

 

[Hififile324]

I had excellent results and on-time shipping with Karoo Taxidermy. They gave me written (email) costs, progress updates, verified what I wanted with the mounts. They gave me shipping dates and delivered on-time. Total time was 13 months from hunt to delivery.

My outfitter, Blue Cliff Safaris, did a great job on coordination from field to pick up by Karoo. Feel free to PM me and I will share their contact information.

 

[wesheltonj]

In RSA it was about 2 month longer then I expected (promised) as everything shuts down in December. Zambia took about a year longer then expected (promised). Thanks to Forward Air and other problems, but they are home. I will find out shortly about the wait from Tanzania.

 

[migrabill]

That sounds good migrabill! Who was your taxidermist and shipper?

Taxidermist was Bulls Eye. Shipper was Safari Cargo.

 

[Safari Dave]

Things are taking forever now, and you really, hardly, ever know the "culprit."

My cape buffalo and baboon took the celestial "dirt nap" in August of 2021.



I still don't have the mounts!



(I did get the skulls and capes in January of 2023 and got them to my taxidermist within a week)

 

[DieJager]

The shipping company is R.V. Exporters from Ravenswood, Gauteng

Then what is the fault of the taxidermist in the Netherlands? Did they advice this company? Otherwise I see no fault for the taxidermist at this moment. But if they advised it I would understand it somewhat.

I would ask them to intervene if they advised it. FYI may last safari from November last year in Namibia, the trophies are already in the taxidermy shop in Europe. So it can be a lot faster.

 

[DieJager]

Has anyone considered getting the taxidermist to put an AirTag in? Having these crates sitting around / possibly going missing gives me the fear and they’re not that expensive

I am currently using First Class. I get automated updates for every step in the taxidermy process. No airtag , but somewhat same idea.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I am currently using First Class. I get automated updates for every step in the taxidermy process. No airtag , but somewhat same idea.

I like that idea. Which company? My thought with the AirTag was that they’d forget to put it in..

I assume faster shipping first class as well?

 

[DieJager]

First Class Trophy. That is their name. They handle everything, dip pick, shipping and taxidermy. Their workshop is in Hungary. All prices are mentioned on their site, no surprises.

You get you personal log in credentials for their portal and also automated updates. Really helpful and so far so good. Last week got the update that my animals arrived in their workshop.

 

[yukonspirit]

Then what is the fault of the taxidermist in the Netherlands? Did they advice this company? Otherwise I see no fault for the taxidermist at this moment. But if they advised it I would understand it somewhat.

I would ask them to intervene if they advised it. FYI may last safari from November last year in Namibia, the trophies are already in the taxidermy shop in Europe. So it can be a lot faster.

no, no fault of the taxidermist in The Netherlands, but the taxidermist in South Africa who didn't do a good job coordinating the shipping from Limpopo

 

[DieJager]

no, no fault of the taxidermist in The Netherlands, but the taxidermist in South Africa who didn't do a good job coordinating the shipping from Limpopo

Thanks for clarification. Yeah that sucks. In these cases you are literally hoping for the best because they are both from SA you are at their mercy.

It will hopefully turn out ok, Africa works at their own pace. It was the reason for me for choosing a company that operates from within the EU. Then you have more (legal) remedies.

 

[Nyati]

After 8 safaris, I could tell you all kind of stories, TIA , just relax, there is little you can do about it !