What airlines allow importing sport hunted trophies into US as baggage? (including big 5)

[pigsticker]

According to these dirtbags, quite a few of the big airlines no longer allow sport hunted trophies to be brought on the plane as baggage, especially the Big 5. Does anybody know of any friendly airline carriers that would allow Big 5 animal parts to be checked as baggage so one might potentially be able to bring their trophy home with them to the US? (pending CITIES approval, of course).

This information seems a bit hard to find, even specifically when going to airlines websites and checking the baggage policies.

https://www.hsi.org/news-resources/ending-transport-hunting-trophies/

 

[DieJager]

Better not to publish them here because they will get a bullseye on their back and rabid lefties will try to cancel them .

 

[pigsticker]

Better not to publish them here because they will get a bullseye on their back and rabid lefties will try to cancel them .

How does that help me? I'm sure the left's resources can find which airlines regardless and probably already have a bullseye on them...

 

[DieJager]

I do not know if any airlines that will check them (big 5 trophies)in as checked baggage. There are different airlines that will transport your trophies ( including big 5). If you want a certain answer you can always ask a trophy importer. If one of the fellow members know this maybe they can DM you.

 

[375Fox]

Cargo or personal baggage? Airlines don’t ask what’s in your personal bag if it’s not illegal or potentially harmful to their flight. You’d only need to declare to US customs on arrival. I’ve brought European trophies home as personal baggage but I was also willing to walk away if US customs decided to seize them. I wouldn’t want to risk a valuable trophy. Also I think it would generally be too large a shipment from Africa to make it practical.

 

[pigsticker]

Cargo or personal baggage? Airlines don’t ask what’s in your personal bag if it’s not illegal or potentially harmful to their flight. You’d only need to declare to US customs on arrival. I’ve brought European trophies home as personal baggage but I was also willing to walk away if US customs decided to seize them. I wouldn’t want to risk a valuable trophy. Also I think it would generally be too large a shipment from Africa to make it practical.

Personal baggage. We would have all the necessary paperwork in hand for legal importation.

 

[wesheltonj]

My educated guess is (1) Turkish (2) Ethiopian, if any airline. As those are the only two airlines that will carry Big 5.

 

[375Fox]

Personal baggage. We would have all the necessary paperwork in hand for legal importation.

I’ve been lightly scolded that it’s not the proper way to do things. If you do it I’d give customs advance notification you’ll be coming through. The problem is really you are betting that they’ll let you pass and not say they need additional inspections that require them to hold the trophies (if they even will). Cleaned skulls only I think are safest bet.

 

[MontanaPat]

I would also bet that if you tried to bring in a warthog skull or tusks that customs would have a big issue since swine require extra USDA or USFWS inspections don’t they?

 

[Nomsag]

Tanned lion hide?

 

[MontanaPat]

No way I would try to do that one in my luggage, just asking for it to get confiscated I would think. Given you need CITES paperwork and Fish and Wildlife inspections I don’t see how you could ever hope to bring it in

 

[Bhfs300]

Well not from Africa but here I am after clearing customs with the two trophies I got in New Zealand in the duffel bag on the top of the luggage cart in the airport

 

[pigsticker]

Tanned lion hide?

and skull

 

[pigsticker]

No way I would try to do that one in my luggage, just asking for it to get confiscated I would think. Given you need CITES paperwork and Fish and Wildlife inspections I don’t see how you could ever hope to bring it in

CITIES import permit and declaration form 3-177 in hand before entering the US...