DIY failure importing trophies

[HankBuck]

I truly do not want to be perceived as being flippant. I also fully understand your frustration.

However, I would strongly suggest hiring your own middle-man to handle this process. Yes, it will cost more money, but my time and my level of frustration has a price tag as well. I use Safari Specialty Importers. They are US based, so I have no idea if they are available to help you. But someone in Canada fills the same business model.

There are things that we simply do not do as well as people who do it every day. Often - even typically - with this sort of thing they have relationships with the key members of the bureaucracy at every port of entry. That too has a value. Figure it into the budget and hire them to run this sort of obstacle course.

Really hope you get it sorted out.

Agree, I spent so much $$ going on my Safari that hiring someone to make certain my trophies cleared customs was well worth it. Regardless of understanding the process - I wanted someone that knows the “ins & outs” and deals with Customs agents etc.. on a daily basis. There are too many variables beyond just the written process - each Agent has an “attitude & authority” that can factor in and work against you. Unfortunately for the OP - who did everything Right - he is being treated unfairly by individual Gov’t employees that are often unaccountable for their errors, the OP did everything “right” and still is in a bind beyond his control.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Agree, I spent so much $$ going on my Safari that hiring someone to make certain my trophies cleared customs was well worth it. Regardless of understanding the process - I wanted someone that knows the “ins & outs” and deals with Customs agents etc.. on a daily basis. There are too many variables beyond just the written process - each Agent has an “attitude & authority” that can factor in and work against you. Unfortunately for the OP - who did everything Right - he is being treated unfairly by individual Gov’t employees that are often unaccountable for their errors, the OP did everything “right” and still is in a bind beyond his control.

I don't disagree. However, I had so many problems with the broker and trucking company the last two times, I figured I had nothing to lose. Hardest work that broker did was cash the cheque. Endless trail of screwups. Another Toronto broker actually advised me to come get the stuff as that would be the better alternative than dealing with them.

 

[buck wild]

Those pics you posted of a previous dirty import that got through are what I'd consider average getting through in the US. I know you know taxidermy items and those don't bother me at all. I expected to see shreds of meat and fat and really nasty stuff for you to think they should have been rejected.

Best of luck getting it sorted. I suspect you are at close to the point to rejecting based on storage fees or canceling your trip soon?

 

[R.M.C.]

Do what you do well to earn the money to pay the other person what they do well.

Well put!!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Those pics you posted of a previous dirty import that got through are what I'd consider average getting through in the US. I know you know taxidermy items and those don't bother me at all. I expected to see shreds of meat and fat and really nasty stuff for you to think they should have been rejected.

Best of luck getting it sorted. I suspect you are at close to the point to rejecting based on storage fees or canceling your trip soon?

Those were the few photos I have on my phone. Most are in the camera or computer. It was bad. Lots of meat and fat. The gray in the photo of back of impala skull is grease stains ... from a skull still full of brain tissue! Ugh, did that stink! The jerk taxidermist simply painted all the skulls white to cover it up. Note that the stuff appears wet in photos. That's chemical stripper to remove paint (you can see some paint bubbling up). Several bugs fell out. All dead but that could have easily got my shipment sent to the fire. Foolishly, I allowed the taxidermist another chance. Second shipment was screwed up even worse but at least it was clean and no paint.

 

[Aaron N]

See like your time and gas costs to drive from T-Bay to Toronto would exceed the costs of a proper broker.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

See like your time and gas costs to drive from T-Bay to Toronto would exceed the costs of a proper broker.

I'm retired. Cost of gas down and back was about what the broker charged last time ... which was also about what the truck freight bill was.

 

[Aaron N]

I'm retired. Cost of gas down and back was about what the broker charged last time ... which was also about what the truck freight bill was.

Well I pray that when I’m retired, I can think of something better to do with my time than drive 12 hours one way to argue with customs agents.

Kevin’s advice was spot on.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Well I pray that when I’m retired, I can think of something better to do with my time than drive 12 hours one way to argue with customs agents.

Kevin’s advice was spot on.

My daughter has the same mitochondrial genetic disorder that claimed her brother twelve years ago. She drove with me and was able to see a specialist at Sunnybrook Hospital so it wasn't a total waste of time. Not if it helps keep her alive.

 

[HankBuck]

The few experiences that I’ve had with Customs regarding hunting, Firearms, or trophy importation - generally found the Canadian Agents were nicer, more polite - but still did their jobs. Driving across back and forth into Quebec or Ontario for bear hunts - the “attitude” was always worse with US Customs agents, they were rarely pleasant and several times nasty. We were always in full compliance with passports & permits in order - so we just kept our cool “yes Sir, No Sir, Thank you Sir” etc.. Dealing with Customs would not deter me from hunting in Canada for something special (Lynx in BC) but we no longer go there for bear - Maine is “good enough”.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

See like your time and gas costs to drive from T-Bay to Toronto would exceed the costs of a proper broker.

Just got a quote from Livingston International brokers. To get this single small crate past inspection ONLY they want over a thousand bucks. They won't even hand it off to a freight company after inspection to ship from Toronto to here. That's my responsibility + freight = more money. Possibly as much as broker. So ... you think it's still cheaper to let a broker do it or drive to Toronto? Hell, I could drive from Saskatoon to Toronto and back for a lot less than that.

 

[WAB]

My daughter has the same mitochondrial genetic disorder that claimed her brother twelve years ago. She drove with me and was able to see a specialist at Sunnybrook Hospital so it wasn't a total waste of time. Not if it helps keep her alive.

Very sorry to hear about your son. Tough club to be in.

 

[JimP]

Sounds like a good business opportunity, opening up a import business that actually takes care of their customers.

One problem with some importers could be those that they hire in the bigger cities that have something against hunting.

I received a call today from my shipper who is going to deliver my crate tomorrow. The lady on the line said that it was a crate of trophies and talked to me about them for 20 minutes or so.

 

[Aaron N]

Just got a quote from Livingston International brokers. To get this single small crate past inspection ONLY they want over a thousand bucks. They won't even hand it off to a freight company after inspection to ship from Toronto to here. That's my responsibility + freight = more money. Possibly as much as broker. So ... you think it's still cheaper to let a broker do it or drive to Toronto? Hell, I could drive from Saskatoon to Toronto and back for a lot less than that.

I guess it depends on how you value your time, but 24 hours of driving adds up to a lot of money how I value my time.

We all have different priorities, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Hopefully you get these trophies sorted out.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Sounds like a good business opportunity, opening up a import business that actually takes care of their customers.

One problem with some importers could be those that they hire in the bigger cities that have something against hunting.

I received a call today from my shipper who is going to deliver my crate tomorrow. The lady on the line said that it was a crate of trophies and talked to me about them for 20 minutes or so.

I presume she was actually interested in how the hunting went? Just lucky I guess, but I have always encountered agents at Pearson who were keen to know about the hunting and looking over my guns. Usually young guys starting in LE. But one young gal too.

 

[JimP]

She was very interested and wanted to know what animals were in the crate along with where I had hunted them.

There are those out there that are actually interested in what us hunters do.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Finally someone from Canada Food Inspection returned my voice-mail. A super pleasant semi-senior lady inspector who actually spoke a flavor of English language I can understand. She assured me she will inspect the crate first thing in the morning. Then customs should release it. With any luck I'll have a trucker at the warehouse desk by noon. With a little more luck that Hindu dispatcher's broom will break down on the 401 and she'll have to call in. The Chinese kid knows how to get stuff moving.

The best part is the inspector gave me her email address! Next time that may make things run a lot smoother.

Talking with that gal made my day. A genuinely nice person. What the hell is someone like that doing in shitty government? She should be working in a daycare. Kids would love her.

 

[BRICKBURN]

You found one that knows their job and enjoys it. Use that email next time and you’ll be set.
Hope your trophies make it
Home quickly.

 

[buck wild]

I saw this in a SCI newsletter I got in this week.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Trophies arrived at Pearson August 3rd. Still trying to get them on a truck. Not easy to do when I'm in Africa.