Customs Clearance Info Needed for African Trophies

[gps]

I got the call that my stuff is all done (finished taxidermy) in RSA and is ready to be shipped to Toronto. I have decided to clear the trophies on my own to save a few bucks and am looking for info from those who have done this. I have 6 tanned flatskins (kudu, blue wildebeest, blesbuck, springbuck, impala & zebra) and 5 euro skulls w/ horns (kudu, black wildebeest, springbuck, impala & warthog).

What forms did you need from your taxidermist?
What forms did you need to fill out for Customs here?
Did you pay duties or taxes?
Anything else you found out the hard way that you could share?

I have searched through many pages of threads, lots about importing guns from the US, but surprisingly, I have not found anything on importing finished taxidermy from RSA.

The Canada Customs website is a mind-numbing labyrinth. I'll head over to their office on Front St. on Monday to inquire there but would like the benefit of some firsthand experience to back up what they tell me.

Thanks in advance, gents.

 

[BigUglyMan]

PM Sent

 

[Dogleg]

I wouldn't do it myself, the few bucks saved just aren't worth it. I know people do it though.
If there's delays you can get stuck with storeage bills that make the shipping look free. My side-kick ran into a anti-hunting agent, and ended up paying PST and GST on the taxidermy and entire cost of his safari. Sure it's wrong, but with government agencies, even when they're wrong, they're right. Maybe he will get it back someday, but that was 2007 and it hasn't happened yet.A experienced broker wouldn't have let the shipment go to Calgary in the first place, and could name the problem agent.
One screw-up will pay for brokerage fees for the rest of your life. Again it's not worth it.