Export / Import Restrictions per Country

[Northern Shooter]

I had a recent conversation with some US hunters who were under the impression that no African hides, mounts, ivory etc could be imported into the US from Africa.

From what I have seen on this forum this does not appear to be the case, without maybe the exception of ivory.

I’m interested to hear what the various import and export restrictions are from Africa into the US, Canada, EU, Australia etc.

Can ivory be imported into any of these countries? I’m particularly looking into Canada as an elephant hunt sounds less appealing if no trophy can be brought home. I know that CITES applies to certain species but believe that just requires some additional paperwork.

I believe SA won’t export elephant trophies on the African side but I imagine this varies country by country.

Curious to hear all the differences.

 

[Puddle]

It sounds like those 'some US hunters' have never hunted Africa?

One suggestion is to start your education by visiting the CITES website.
Another suggestion is to visit the websites of AH outfitters members in the countries of interest
and ask them the question regarding the species you're interested in.

 

[rookhawk]

I had a recent conversation with some US hunters who were under the impression that no African hides, mounts, ivory etc could be imported into the US from Africa.

From what I have seen on this forum this does not appear to be the case, without maybe the exception of ivory.

I’m interested to hear what the various import and export restrictions are from Africa into the US, Canada, EU, Australia etc.

Can ivory be imported into any of these countries? I’m particularly looking into Canada as an elephant hunt sounds less appealing if no trophy can be brought home. I know that CITES applies to certain species but believe that just requires some additional paperwork.

I believe SA won’t export elephant trophies on the African side but I imagine this varies country by country.

Curious to hear all the differences.

It's far more complicated than "no".

Can the ivory or hides be exported from Africa?

Maybe if #1: The nation of export has CITES registered quota.
Maybe if #2: Provided that they maintain a comprehensive plan that has been deemed suitable by the US Fish and Wildlife Services. (I believe Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe are presently compliant)
Maybe if #3: If the operator selected for the hunt has 3 years of data they will share with the client that shows numbers of elephants, increasing or stable populations, sources and uses of funds, antipoaching conducted, snares found, poachers arrested and prosecuted, local investment made, and that the death of the elephant ultimately encourages the survival of the species.

Maybe if #4: If the domicile of record for the US citizen does not have State based ivory bans that prohibit their import or possession in their State. (Illinois and NY have those bans, but they aren't enforcing the ban as far as entry-port being Chicago even though the State arguably could prevent it?)

 

[Northern Shooter]

Being a Canadian I am mostly concerned with how these laws apply to Canada. Having now done some digging it looks like as of Jan 2024 we started prohibiting the import of both Elephant and Rhino Ivory although it was completely legal to import prior to that.

In terms of all other game I'm trying to determine if taxidermy has to be completed prior to import or if they can be sent to a taxidermist here within Canada.

Hoping someone can chime in.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Being a Canadian I am mostly concerned with how these laws apply to Canada. Having now done some digging it looks like as of Jan 2024 we started prohibiting the import of both Elephant and Rhino Ivory although it was completely legal to import prior to that.

In terms of all other game I'm trying to determine if taxidermy has to be completed prior to import or if they can be sent to a taxidermist here within Canada.

Hoping someone can chime in.

We follow CITES for the most part. Until, as you discovered, the Ottawa muppets decided to join Facebook decision making instead of using science regarding Ivory and horn. Who knows whats next.

CFIA inspection upon trophy arrival.
Finished or not
Unfinished need to go to an "authorized" facility. Taxidermist with a federal facility approval.

Most PIA airlines joined the same FB page and banned many hunting trophy carriage.

 

[Northern Shooter]

We follow CITES for the most part. Until, as you discovered, the Ottawa muppets decided to join Facebook decision making instead of using science regarding Ivory and horn. Who knows whats next.

CFIA inspection upon trophy arrival.
Finished or not
Unfinished need to go to an "authorized" facility. Taxidermist with a federal facility approval.

Most PIA airlines joined the same FB page and banned many hunting trophy carriage.

Assuming you've taken many trophies home in your hunting career, do you opt for taxidermy to be completed in the African nation or do you have it done here when back home?

 

[BRICKBURN]

Most I had done by taxidermists in Southern Africa. It takes some work to find skilled shops, but it can be done. My nightmares are posted as a warning!
Some trophies were done here.
It is a very personal choice artistically, quality wise and budget wise.

It will take a monumental or very special trophy for me to get it sent to a taxidermy now.

 

[MarkB]

Certainly not to outdo @BRICKBURN and for @Northern Shooter info. For Canadians, CFIA inspection is actually up to CBSA officer upon opening and inspecting crate. If initial inspection meets all their listed criteria they have the power to release to importer or actual hunter. These regs, details are very specific and listed on Gov web sites. Most shipments get caught with "leakproof" sealed container. Wooden and cardboard is frowned upon, but passes if parts and paperwork is perfect. FYI I have a SA company that provides sealed, legal leakproof plastic crates, cheaper than the % SA taxidermy companies charge for crating. I understand some CBSA ports were/are automatically sending all trophy imports to secondary inspection and some are contacting CFIA for their presence with the initial shipment opening. But this is not actually as written. I posted my CC response email on a thread some time ago from CFIA Head Boss telling all Ports to follow the regulations.

I know this as a fact as I have done all clearance for my last 4 hunts, including 3 big 5, CITES schedule 1 & 2 , TOPS and 60+ PG, including swine, bovine and primate that all require extra from Africa. All were D&P NOT mounted specimens.

To import yourself it is crucial to be fully educated, have all the regs printed, call your import port CFIA supervisor and discuss then engage CBSA supervisor. Take all email trail and regs to CBSA when shipping company informs you the specific date and time shipment will land. Shipment tracking and communications are imperative, I have NEVER paid airport storage fees. Turkish Air was great last time, they provide you their website log in so you can track your crate worldwide in real time.

I can only speak of Vancouver as that is only import port for me. Recently 3 members of this site have contacted me with outstanding quotes from Canadian importing companies, with good communications and the specific details I passed on they have all imported their own shipments, all with perfect results, again only Vancouver. 15-30 mins at CBSA Vancouver and crates in truck, all items were D&P or completed mounted, all were fully IAW paperwork regs and impeccable cleaned and packed with CFIA rules.

Honestly it has not been difficult. The thousands saved goes to taxidermy or starts the TF fund for the return safari.

MB

 

[MarkB]

I am open to a DM, PM to help any other Canadians if they want to discuss their shipment. Especially/specifically Vancouver.

MB

 

[Philip Glass]

There are so many myths out there on Hunting Africa and all that it entails. FB is the worst place to get information on Africa. The vast majority of trophies hunted in Africa can be imported to the US. Exceptions that come to mind are : cheetah, brown hyena, black faced impala.

 

[DieJager]

EU can still be different per country. That is because country of residence, with certain species, still have to issue an import license. And several countries do not issue them with certain species.

I know all of the ins and outs these days because I found out the hard way.

 

[Northern Shooter]

EU can still be different per country. That is because country of residence, with certain species, still have to issue an import license. And several countries do not issue them with certain species.

I know all of the ins and outs these days because I found out the hard way.

Didn't Germany recently ban the import of all elephant trophies?

 

[DieJager]

Didn't Germany recently ban the import of all elephant trophies?

No that is not the case.

 

[Pondoro]

No ivory restrictions to Norway as long as you have CITES papers..

 

[BRICKBURN]

Certainly not to outdo @BRICKBURN and for @Northern Shooter info. For Canadians, CFIA inspection is actually up to CBSA officer upon opening and inspecting crate. If initial inspection meets all their listed criteria they have the power to release to importer or actual hunter. These regs, details are very specific and listed on Gov web sites. Most shipments get caught with "leakproof" sealed container. Wooden and cardboard is frowned upon, but passes if parts and paperwork is perfect. FYI I have a SA company that provides sealed, legal leakproof plastic crates, cheaper than the % SA taxidermy companies charge for crating. I understand some CBSA ports were/are automatically sending all trophy imports to secondary inspection and some are contacting CFIA for their presence with the initial shipment opening. But this is not actually as written. I posted my CC response email on a thread some time ago from CFIA Head Boss telling all Ports to follow the regulations.

I know this as a fact as I have done all clearance for my last 4 hunts, including 3 big 5, CITES schedule 1 & 2 , TOPS and 60+ PG, including swine, bovine and primate that all require extra from Africa. All were D&P NOT mounted specimens.

To import yourself it is crucial to be fully educated, have all the regs printed, call your import port CFIA supervisor and discuss then engage CBSA supervisor. Take all email trail and regs to CBSA when shipping company informs you the specific date and time shipment will land. Shipment tracking and communications are imperative, I have NEVER paid airport storage fees. Turkish Air was great last time, they provide you their website log in so you can track your crate worldwide in real time.

I can only speak of Vancouver as that is only import port for me. Recently 3 members of this site have contacted me with outstanding quotes from Canadian importing companies, with good communications and the specific details I passed on they have all imported their own shipments, all with perfect results, again only Vancouver. 15-30 mins at CBSA Vancouver and crates in truck, all items were D&P or completed mounted, all were fully IAW paperwork regs and impeccable cleaned and packed with CFIA rules.

Honestly it has not been difficult. The thousands saved goes to taxidermy or starts the TF fund for the return safari.

MB

@MarkB
A little further east from you the CBSA boys will not let you move a crate without the CFIA inspection and clearance on anything trophy related (finished/unfinished). Every time without fail.
One fine officer out here likes to charge GST on Trophy fees as noted on Zimbabwe invoices (TR2) and then transferred that thinking/logic to everywhere!.. Deciding that is the trophies real value!
That is a fun expense to add to your import. Be prepared to fight that one if you run into a antihunter zealot.

I also learned to avoid one office, ie. Waiting for the office with the problem officer to be closed, so you can use the alternate office without the PIA. It made life so much easier.

For me, the phone call to arrange the inspection and the $25.00 is worth it to NOT have to educate the CBSA officers. It gets tiring.



It is imperative to get educated and learn the tricks and truly decide how you want to handle your import. I can see why a lot of folks just pay someone.

 

[MarkB]

I have heard the horror stories from the eastern port centers. To get away from taxes, fees on D&P only, when you return from the hunt on your customs declaration I always click the box for "items purchased but not returning with me" then explain and have CBSA officer stamp and sign including his badge number. When I clear my D&P take that form. No CBSA has charged me any tax with that completed. Some have tried.

Some time ago SCI USA sent out an awesome email to all members with many specific incidents from Canadian hunters. This I forwarded to CFIA and CBSA HQ. The snr CFIA boss CC'd me on his direction to all Canadian CFIA offices to follow rules. I now take that as evidence. Again no issue, but Vancouver's CFIA is awesome.

Same as the "automatically direct to secondary inspections" very hard as BC currently has no qualified taxidermist able to do that. Having Gov rules helps when dealing with CBSA, most times they have no idea and ask me for clarification. Printed regs make that simple. Even take them a copied file for their records.

I am retired, time is money but not like a working guy, so yes paying the "experts" to handle is viable option for some. But that $5000 quote for my last import verified that I will continue to do all my own clearing. A challenge I enjoy.

It would be great if all our Gov agencies followed the rules and applied IAW. The anti's have infiltrated all aspects of our loved sport. Very sad.

MB

On a second note. Thanks for all you do for this site, truly outstanding.