One of the beauties of the Safari Club International Convention is that there are a number of free seminars that cover everything from how to deal with firearms issues when traveling to an update on firearms laws impacting hunters and gun owners.
Michael Coppersmith of Coppersmith Global Logistics and HuntingTrophy.com is an experienced international hunter and a customs broker. His hunting division specializes in helping hunters bring their trophies back from faraway places ranging from Africa to Asia to New Zealand and every place in between. At the SCI Convention, he gave a seminar entitled, “Know Before You Go”, which contained a number of invaluable tips based upon his and others experiences.
Before you go:
- Obtain confirmation that your PH (Professional Hunter) is authorized to hunt on the land
- Ask for Letter of Permission
- Does he or she have professional association membership
- Check the regulations for firearms in that country
- Check ammunition limitations
- Check with the airlines on their firearm and ammo policies
- If you are transiting countries on the way to your final destination, check their policies. This is especially true for Europe.
- AES (Automated Export System) filings for firearms may be required
- CBP Form 4457 – sign in front of the Customs & Border Protection officer and always keep the originals
- For South Africa, SAPS 520 is required. A company like RiflePermits.com can assist with this
- Your ammunition must match the caliber of the firearms
Coppersmith said it was wise to create a Firearms Packet. In that packet you should place a copy of your passport, the flight itinerary, copies of your Form 4457, and your Invitation to Hunt which our outfitter will provided. I might suggest making multiple copies of this packet and keeping one in your luggage and one in your gun case.
Other suggestions include to use non-TSA locks on gun cases, to advise your credit card companies that you are going abroad, and to always use your full legal name on all documents. With regard to taxidermy, it pays to obtain “hunt tags” in advance (Coppersmith provides them to their customers) and place them on the skull, cape, and horns. This assures that it is your animal returned to you. Coppersmith also suggested using odd colored (neon, red, yellow, etc.) zip ties to affix the hunt tags. You can find the zip ties on Amazon. (#commission earned)
When your completed taxidermy or “dip and pack” animals arrive in the US at a port of entry, you could clear them yourself. That said, using a broker is usually worth the expense. If there are errors in your paperwork, the customs broker has more leeway to correct errors.
Coppersmith had some tips to follow while you are overseas and on your hunt:
- Determine what kind of mount you want at the beginning. It will determine how the animal is skinned
- Determine who will do your taxidermy (if any). Will it be done in the US or overseas?
- Taxidermy tends to be cheaper overseas but you pay higher freight costs
- Obtain a copy of the Hunt Register
- Each individual need his or her own hunt register
- Everyone should have their own documentation. Do NOT combine with others.
- Don’t ship curios, etc., in with your trophies. Put those in your suitcase.
CITES animals will require more paperwork. The animals in question are going to be country specific. You will need an export permit from the country of origin. If it is a highly endangered animal, expect lots of paperwork. In the US, the Endangered Species Act trumps CITES. Animals listed under the ESA-Threatened are possible to be imported. However, you will need assistance with the paperwork from an organization like Conservation Force. ESA-Endangered animals are impossible to import. I asked about cheetahs as a Namibian outfitter had them on his trophy list given they were common in his area. The answer was absolutely no.
When you return home to the US there are a list of things you need to do:
- Advise your customs broker if using one
- Give the broker a US Customs Power of Attorney
- CBP Form 5106 – Importer Identity Form
- All documents must have your SSN and Passport ID
- Determine whether to have trophies shipped by air or by ocean freight. Air is more expensive but is preferred for the most part.
- Ask for a quote on both methods of shipping
- Always request copies of documentation prior to export for review by yourself and your broker
Coppersmith then went over the clearance process. All shipments can be inspected by all agencies involved. Moreover, it it is a CITES animal, it is required. The order of inspection starts with the US Department of Agriculture and the CBP-Agriculture inspectors. It then goes to US Fish and Wildlife and finally to US Customs & Border Protection for approval.
Finally, he went over the costs involved. You have the cost of your travel, the cost of the hunt, and permits and fees. Next would be the foreign taxidermy or, if being mounted in the US, dip and pack. The latter is where they kill any insects on the trophy and then package it for shipment. Once it is ready to ship, you have the cost of shipping, documentation, any export fees, and crating. Once the trophies arrive in the US, you have your customs brokerage costs, warehouse fees, US Customs fees, USFWS inspection fees, final shipping, and, if being mounted in the US, taxidermy costs. From an earlier seminar a couple of years ago, I can realize why many just commemorate their hunt with photos and video.
All in all, it was a very informative hour of our time. If you get the chance to go to the next SCI Convention, I would urge you to take advantage of this seminar which I believe is offered annually.
by 
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