Social Security Card needed for import of trophies?

[Bert the Turtle]

My trophies have arrived from Namibia!

As I will be leaving tomorrow for my return trip to Namibia, I will be having Coppersmith clear customs for me. The power of attorney they sent me says I need to provide an ID and a copy of my social security card, due to homeland security identification verification. Apparently a copy of my passport (while good enough to get into the country) is not good enough by itself.

My SSN is not a number I just fax to strangers. Has anyone else done this? Any alternatives? I've suggested that I am willing to send a redacted copy of my card with just the last 4 digits showing. Any other ideas?

I don't really want to lose my trophies over this, and especially my wife's trophies, but I don't want to lose my identity either.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[sestoppelman]

I find it strange that you would need to show it to them. I have cleared my own trophies the last two times with Customs and Fish Wildlife at the airport when they arrived and no one asked to see mine. Ask them why. Your passport should be enough as you say.

On the other hand if faxing or emailing, send it in 3 separate mails. Thats what is often recommend when emailing a CC number overseas.

 

[James.Grage]

Bert

Call and talk to Coppersmith....you will find that a copy of your passport will work...

I ran into this last year as our customs are requiring additional information to clear trophy's...

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I called and they are insisting. I'm not going to give it to them, that is not negotiable. They say they can use an IRS or social security letter from within the past year if it has the last 4 numbers on it. I gave them a copy of my card with only the last 4, so I don't see what the problem is.

Anyone know any other brokers?

Looks like I'll be paying for storage until I get back from Namibia.

 

[TERMINATOR]

I called and they are insisting. I'm not going to give it to them, that is not negotiable. They say they can use an IRS or social security letter from within the past year if it has the last 4 numbers on it. I gave them a copy of my card with only the last 4, so I don't see what the problem is.

Anyone know any other brokers?

Looks like I'll be paying for storage until I get back from Namibia.

Flora & Fauna has been great to me and many others...

 

[sestoppelman]

Bert, Are these raw animal parts destined for a taxidermist or finished mounts? If raw your taxidermist would handle it. Why not clear them yourself if finished?

 

[enysse]

Flora & Fauna has been great to me and many others...

I agree 100 percent!

 

[Bert the Turtle]

They are finished mounts. I can't clear them myself because I am in Germany and will be in Namibia. Also, they are in Atlanta which is 5 hours from my home even if I were there.

I called US customs to see if this SSN business is true. Shockingly few people spoke English as a first language, but at least they tried to be helpful. The native speakers were spectacularly rude and not helpful at all. As far as I could tell, they are requiring my social security number at the customs level not the Coppersmith level. The Coppersmith people have been polite and trying to help.

After US Air lost charged me extra for a second bag, then $150 for the first bag being 57 pounds, then put me in a seat which didn't recline properly and the TV was broken (I had a book, which is my first choice but the light shined on the person next to me who was trying to sleep, so I decided just to sit and stew) then once I got here, they forgot to put the bag on the plane. Now I am waiting for the bag to come on today's flight, we'll see about that. Cell phone which I specifically upgraded to a world model not working. Bottom line is I am jet lagged and damn grouchy right now.

Good news is that the bartender managed to lay down 3 schnappes along with my large beer at lunch, which was a tasty jeagerschnitzel, so as always, the Germans seem to have things in proper working order!

 

[sestoppelman]

Yikes what a pain! I hope things get better. You may have heard the saying, A bad beginning often means a good ending! Lets hope so. Good luck!

 

[enysse]

Sorry to hear, damn rough way to start a trip! Hope the hunting is twice as good to make up for all the trouble.