Recent shipping and import costs South Africa to US - January 2025

[Sabre]

I just wanted to provide a recent shipping cost post because I always find it interesting what the current cost is for these things. And I always like to keep track of it in case there is a drastic change or a trend up or down. So if anyone else is interested in those things, here is one data point to reference.

I had quite a lot of animals of varying sizes. Everything from Duiker to Eland. My animals were all dip and pack except one finished warthog skull on a plaque.

I had 17 animals total. The breakdown of contents is as follows:

17 Skulls
15 capes
13 backskins
2 flatskins
2 souvenirs whose weight and size were negligible to the overall shipment. (5-7 lbs total and fit in the voids of the pile of skulls and skins)

Weight of the shipment was about 425lbs. The crate was about 4ftx4ftx2ft (LxWxH). (The weight fit into a relatively small crate was impressive)

Cost breakdown is as follows (rounded a bit for ease):

Shipping from SA to US - $2,280
Coppersmith Import Cost (incl. Customs, USDA, Airport fees) - $1,150
Shipping from Coppersmith to final destination - $350
Total - $3,780

This was right around what I was expecting for so many animals. The only thing that surprised me a bit was the weight of the crate. I suppose it shouldn't have with so many animals, but part of you thinks, "oh just dried out hides and skulls should be pretty light."

 

[Pilgrim]

Thanks for sharing

 

[3chunter]

That is not bad. Heck my small shipment will be over that amount and it won’t be half the weight from Namibia.

 

[Sabre]

That is not bad. Heck my small shipment will be over that amount and it won’t be half the weight from Namibia.

Yeah, I tried my best to avoid airline holding fees as best I could. I was worried about that because I feel like the airlines have gotten awful greedy since covid and feel like they are doing their best to tack those on whenever possible.

 

[Gerty]

Sabre, as you know my RSA crate arrived this week.

12 plains game. 5 to be euro'd & 7 mounted. 99kg crate.

RSA to JFK in NYC: $1,800.
Logistics thru customs & whatnot and onto taxidermist that is 100 miles away: $1,200.

 

[DPHunter4570]

Good info to see. My crate has made it to the states with 12 animals. I figured on it being in this ballpark.

 

[Sabre]

Sabre, as you know my RSA crate arrived this week.

12 plains game. 5 to be euro'd & 7 mounted. 99kg crate.

RSA to JFK in NYC: $1,800.
Logistics thru customs & whatnot and onto taxidermist that is 100 miles away: $1,200.

I'm glad to hear yours arrived. I'm sure you were getting anxious for it. Did you bring any back skins or flat skins back?

 

[Hyde Hunter]

looks like prices may be coming down a bit