Shipping Companies you used; Would use again or Wouldn't

[BRICKBURN]

New hunters keep asking about costs of shipping and I thought we might help ourselves by creating a list of shipping companies we have all used.

Shipping Company
The origin (Province, Country) and destination (State, Province, Territory) and
Trophy list and Volumetric Weight
(if you are up to it, the Cost and the Month/Year of shipment)

Whether you were satisfied with the companies services would probably be helpful too.

Anything else you might want to add.

 

[mdwest]

Shipping Company: SBS Logistics
Origin: Limpopo, SA
Destination: Dallas, TX
Trophy List: 1x Kudu Shoulder Mount
1x Kudu back skin
1x Impala Euro Mount
1x Impala flat skin
1x Blesbuck Euro Mount
1x Blesbuck flat skin
2x Blue Wildebeest Euro Mount
1x Blue Wildebeest flat skin
1x Waterbuck Shoulder Mount
1x Waterbuck back skin
1x Zebra flat skin
1x Gemsbuck Shoulder Mount
1x Gemsbuck back skin
Volumetric Weight: Unknown
Month/Year of Shipment: September 2018
Cost: $1276

Will be able to report back in a couple of days whether I'm completely satisfied with services rendered (trophies are due to arrive in Dallas in 2 days).. but so far I've been very satisfied. Communication between the shipper, the taxidermist, the broker, myself etc.. has all been extremely good.. Everyone is talking, everyone has been timely, and everyone has been very clear about what is going on, what is needed, what to expect, etc..

I didnt shop around much on shipping.. SBS was recommended by the taxidermist, and so far I have been very pleased with all interactions with the taxidermist (good communication, fair pricing, etc..) so I trusted he wouldnt steer me wrong... I also looked at a few threads here and other places to get a rough idea on what to expect to pay.. so when the SBS quote came in a little less than what I expected, I was happy to go on and commit without doing any further looking around..

SBS is also willing/able to ship by sea.. they advertise that this is typically 1/2 the cost of shipping by air (although it obviously takes a good bit longer for your trophies to make it home).. but for those that are cost conscious.. it might be a good option.. especially if youre talking a really big/heavy shipment..

 

[Clayton d]

Great idea brickburn!!

 

[Hogpatrol]

@DaveWest, Compared to what I've been paying, that price seems really cheap. They must have tightly packed everything in the box.

 

[jasyblood]

Good idea for a thread! I know when I first started looking into hunting Africa, I looked everywhere for this kind of info but could never find it.

Here's the info on my 3 shipments:


Shipping Company: Oxi Logistics
Origin: Limpopo
Destination: Dallas, TX
Trophy List:
1 Kudu Shoulder Mount - Horns Attached
1 Kudu Back Skin
1 Blesbuck
1 Blesbuck Back Skin
2 Impala Shoulder Mounts
2 Impala Backskins
1 Blue Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Blue Wildebeest Backskin
1 Zebra flat skin
1 Warthog skull
Volumetric Weight: 300KG - 182L x 102W x 97H (cms)
Month/Year of Shipment: June 2016
Cost: $1810.00

Shipping Company: Rex Freight
Origin: Eastern Cape
Destination: Dallas, TX
Trophy List:
1 Cape Buffalo Shoulder Mount
1 Cape Buffalo Back Skin
1 Nyala Half Mount
1 Nyala Back Skin
1 Black Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Black Wildebeest Back Skin
1 Bushbuck Shoulder Mount
1 Buskbuck Back Skin
1 Springbok Shoulder Mount
1 Springbok Backskin
1 Gemsbok Shoulder Mount
1 Gemsbok Back Skin
Volumetric Weight: Unknown
Month/Year of Shipment: June 2017
Cost: $2174.00

Shipping Company: African Legacy Logistics
Origin: Limpopo
Destination: Dallas, TX
Trophy List:
1 Sable Pedestal Mount
1 Pedestal Base
1 Sable Back Skin
1 Kudu Pedestal Mount
1 Kudu Back Skin
1 Red Hartebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Red Hartebeest Back Skin
1 Impala Shoulder Mount
1 Impala Back Skin
1 Impala Flat Skin
1 Civet Cat Full Mount
Volumetric Weight: 483KG - 173L x 124W x 135H
Month/Year of Shipment: December 2017
Cost: $2851.00

All of my shipments have been cleared by Coppersmith - Dallas and I had nothing but good luck with them.

 

[cagkt3]

Shipping Company: Safari Cargo Systems
Origin: Limpopo
Destination: Chicago (port of entry); Michigan for taxidermy
1 Nyala - skull, caped for half mount, back skin
1 Blesbuck - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Gemsbuck - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
2 Impala - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Blue Wildebeest - skull and flat skin
1 Kude - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Waterbuck - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Zebra - flat skin
1 Warthog - skull
Volumetric Weight - 118 KG
Date of shipment - 8/2018
Cost - $986.93 shipping, $782.80 for Coppersmith to clear and forward on to the taxidermist/tannery
Total cost - $1,769.73

 

[jeff]

Excellent post with real data and prices that are useful !!

 

[Clayton d]

Definitely a good post. This information will definitely help me plan /budget for my next trip

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

Shipping Company: Safari Cargo Systems
Origin: Limpopo
Destination: Chicago (port of entry); Michigan for taxidermy
1 Nyala - skull, caped for half mount, back skin
1 Blesbuck - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Gemsbuck - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
2 Impala - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Blue Wildebeest - skull and flat skin
1 Kude - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Waterbuck - skull, caped for shoulder mount, back skin
1 Zebra - flat skin
1 Warthog - skull
Volumetric Weight - 118 KG
Date of shipment - 8/2018
Cost - $986.93 shipping, $782.80 for Coppersmith to clear and forward on to the taxidermist/tannery
Total cost - $1,769.73

This looks like the route my stuff is taking as well ( Safari Cargo Systems and then Coppersmith) but I'm beginning to get worried. Apparently there was a "go slow" strike in the government permit issuing office and then the person who actually issues the permits went on leave. I was hoping to have my crate home by Christmas but at this rate I'm note sure that will happen anymore.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Got a self import shipment coming this week, African Trophy Exports, origin Blomfontein through Joburg to BWI. 76kilos, 170.3 volumetric, $1220 USD.

 

[TROPHY SHIPPERS]

Hi everyone,

We are a licensed customs broker and freight forwarder that is dedicated to hunting trophies. If anyone is looking for a competitive quote we would be glad to help get your trophies home for you. Our company was established in 1981 and has made many partnerships around the world with cargo carriers over the years. We can help with the international shipping, Customs clearances, and domestic shipping here in the United States. I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to help you through this process and make sure that it is stress free for you. If you have recently hunted, or are planning a trip, please give me a call to see how we can help make your trip a great experience!

 

[Cody hunt4life]

This June will be my first trip to the Eastern Cape and I will be using Splitting Image to do my taxidermy. I'm having the following done...

1 Zebra Pedestal mount (no pedastal to be shipped with it, using my own)
1 Sable Shoulder Mount
1 Kudu Shoulder Mount
1 Springbuck Shoulder Mount
1 Gemsbok Shoulder Mount
1 Black Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Blue Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Impla Shoulder Mount

They use Badger as their shipper of choice who quoted me approx $3,400 . Am I crazy or does that sound to be about $1K too high? When I got a quote from Unlimdi Taxidermy's Shipper it was $1,650. Can I use a different shipper and still use Splitting Image Taxidermy? It seems like from what I have seen on their website and whatnot that they are the only company they may use? I sent an email and waiting on a response. It just seems awful high when it cambe back more than double the first quote I got. Any input is appreciated. Especially from those of you who have used Splitting Image Taxidermy. I attached the quote to my comment for your reference.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Matt_WY]

Should be able to post from my Namibia hunt relatively soon. Good idea!

 

[Ridgewalker]

This June will be my first trip to the Eastern Cape and I will be using Splitting Image to do my taxidermy. I'm having the following done...

1 Zebra Pedestal mount (no pedastal to be shipped with it, using my own)
1 Sable Shoulder Mount
1 Kudu Shoulder Mount
1 Springbuck Shoulder Mount
1 Gemsbok Shoulder Mount
1 Black Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Blue Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Impla Shoulder Mount

They use Badger as their shipper of choice who quoted me approx $3,400 . Am I crazy or does that sound to be about $1K too high? When I got a quote from Unlimdi Taxidermy's Shipper it was $1,650. Can I use a different shipper and still use Splitting Image Taxidermy? It seems like from what I have seen on their website and whatnot that they are the only company they may use? I sent an email and waiting on a response. It just seems awful high when it cambe back more than double the first quote I got. Any input is appreciated. Especially from those of you who have used Splitting Image Taxidermy. I attached the quote to my comment for your reference.

Thanks in advance!

To me it doesn’t sound high. Everything you have is much larger in size than most of the previous listing, ie, shoulder mounts vs euros or dip and pack shipments to be mounted in USA.
Note that Jaysblood’s was 3 years ago. Prices go up yearly.
Always smaller and less weight with dip and pack.
Hope this soothes the worry a bit?

Very useful thread Brickburn! Great idea!

 

[Chago]

This June will be my first trip to the Eastern Cape and I will be using Splitting Image to do my taxidermy. I'm having the following done...

1 Zebra Pedestal mount (no pedastal to be shipped with it, using my own)
1 Sable Shoulder Mount
1 Kudu Shoulder Mount
1 Springbuck Shoulder Mount
1 Gemsbok Shoulder Mount
1 Black Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Blue Wildebeest Shoulder Mount
1 Impla Shoulder Mount

They use Badger as their shipper of choice who quoted me approx $3,400 . Am I crazy or does that sound to be about $1K too high? When I got a quote from Unlimdi Taxidermy's Shipper it was $1,650. Can I use a different shipper and still use Splitting Image Taxidermy? It seems like from what I have seen on their website and whatnot that they are the only company they may use? I sent an email and waiting on a response. It just seems awful high when it cambe back more than double the first quote I got. Any input is appreciated. Especially from those of you who have used Splitting Image Taxidermy. I attached the quote to my comment for your reference.

Thanks in advance!

Replace your springbok with a nyala. And that's the same list I shipped home a couple months ago. And I was much less.

Rex freight
December 2019.
Eastern Cape to Toronto
1 kudu pedestal wall mount
1 gemsbok shoulder mount
1 nyala pedestal wall mount
1 zebra pedestal mount
1 impala shoulder mount
1 Sable pedestal mount.
1 blesbok shoulder mount.
1 blue beast shoulder mount.

$2100 shipping. + Customs brokerage + taxes + storage fees + government inspection.

 

[Cody hunt4life]

Replace your springbok with a nyala. And that's the same list I shipped home a couple months ago. And I was much less.

Rex freight
December 2019.
Eastern Cape to Toronto
1 kudu pedestal wall mount
1 gemsbok shoulder mount
1 nyala pedestal wall mount
1 zebra pedestal mount
1 impala shoulder mount
1 Sable pedestal mount.
1 blesbok shoulder mount.
1 blue beast shoulder mount.

$2100 shipping. + Customs brokerage + taxes + storage fees + government inspection.

That's more what I was thinking. I had budgeted $2,500 into it for the shipping which was about what my broker had told me to expect. I did send them a request to get a quote from Rex earlier today so hopefully by Monday I will hear back about it. Surely they will use whoever I want to use and don't exclusevely use Badger right? Hopefully so, because that a big chunk of unexpected expense that could go towards another mount if I decided to take something in addition to my list which I have a feeling I will end up with a warthog and a babboon. (or hoping to be able to anyways). Thank you for the feedback! Definately going to be asking for multiple quotes. I'm using Coppersmith as my customs broker and their storage facility is only about 20 minutes from my house and I'm only 30 minutes or so from Dallas, TX where it's being shipped. Thanks again!

 

[Cody hunt4life]

Hi everyone,

We are a licensed customs broker and freight forwarder that is dedicated to hunting trophies. If anyone is looking for a competitive quote we would be glad to help get your trophies home for you. Our company was established in 1981 and has made many partnerships around the world with cargo carriers over the years. We can help with the international shipping, Customs clearances, and domestic shipping here in the United States. I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to help you through this process and make sure that it is stress free for you. If you have recently hunted, or are planning a trip, please give me a call to see how we can help make your trip a great experience!

I would like to see about getting a quote from you for shipping. Please see my list above. Having Taxidermy completed by Splitting Image. Let me know if there is anything else you need from me to get an estimate from you. This is my first SA Safari so I'm trying to do my du dilegence and make sure to ask as many questions and be as prepared as I possibly can be meanwhile not getting screwed over because I'm new to all of the costs and processes. I've already hired Coppersmith to handle customs etc. so just looking for shipping. Will be crated and documented by Splitting Image Taxidermy. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tracey Colson]

They use Badger as their shipper of choice who quoted me approx $3,400 . Am I crazy or does that sound to be about $1K too high? When I got a quote from Unlimdi Taxidermy's Shipper it was $1,650. Can I use a different shipper and still use Splitting Image Taxidermy? It seems like from what I have seen on their website and whatnot that they are the only company they may use? I sent an email and waiting on a response. It just seems awful high when it cambe back more than double the first quote I got. Any input is appreciated. Especially from those of you who have used Splitting Image Taxidermy. I attached the quote to my comment for your reference.

Thanks in advance!

Cody hunt4life, did you ever get any response from Splitting Image. I too am considering them for Taxidermy work but have read this and somewhere else to beware of the high shipping charges from them.

 

[Cody hunt4life]

Cody hunt4life, did you ever get any response from Splitting Image. I too am considering them for Taxidermy work but have read this and somewhere else to beware of the high shipping charges from them.

Yes, they have received the quote from Rex and waiting for another from African Trophy as well and badger is willing to match any lower estimate provided so I’m down to approx $2,500 now if I use Rex and getting more quotes as we speak to see if I can’t get the absolute best pricing. So make sure to get quotes from everywhere you can would be my advise as they will match the lowest cost you can find and still use badger at your cheapest pricing option. Was a huge relief. Already saved $1k by doing my due diligence. May even get it down a little more with the other estimate we are waiting on. Best of luck and have a great safari!

 

[buck wild]

I have used Zingela Forwarders from SA twice and very happy with them.
2015 crate with 10 animals 122 cm L x 70 cm W x 39 cm H weight 54 KG; all in insurance etc $632 from Joberg to Hou
I'm having issues finding my 2018 invoice but it was similar.