Alaskan Hunts:
Shipping your trophies to our tannery is as quick and easy from Alaska as it is from home. If your guide will be prepping and salting for you, we can give you a packing list and tags to quickly and easily expedite them to our tannery. Another option, is dropping them off at Alpha Fur in Anchorage, just 10 minutes from the airport for preparation and tanning there. Again, we can give you tags and paperwork to ensure that they are expedited to our studio after tanning. We are more than happy to contact your guide service to arrange the most convenient method for you, so all you need to worry about is pulling the trigger on your "captured moment."
International Hunts:
Forms for Your Equipment:
Take any serially numbered weapon, optic, computer, etc. to your nearest US Customs office and obtain a CF 4457 form. You will be asked to present this form upon your return to the US. Keep in mind that air carriers change their regulations often, so check with them prior to your trip to see if your gun case will be required to be locked when tendered to the airline, whereas your suitcases must be tendered unlocked. Be aware there are limits to ammunition per hunter to match the weapon as well.
Meet the Broker:
Contact us, and we will put you in touch with a licensed customs broker to set the necessary paperwork in motion to allow them to handle your imported trophies. This is a very specific niche market which requires the broker to have a working knowledge of fish and wildlife agencies, CBP/A, CDC, US Dept of Public Health, and of course, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
Be prepared with the following information: Your full name, physical address, mailing address, home phone and fax numbers, work phone and fax numbers, email address, your social security number, and your date of birth.
The broker will then prepare a customs power of attorney for your signature. This is a necessary requirement per CBP regulation, and gives permission to the broker to perform paperwork functions with the various government agencies on your behalf. We can provide you with all the necessary forms so you can have them ready when you call.
Be prepared with the following information: Your full name, physical address, mailing address, home phone and fax numbers, work phone and fax numbers, email address, your social security number, and your date of birth.
The broker will then prepare a customs power of attorney for your signature. This is a necessary requirement per CBP regulation, and gives permission to the broker to perform paperwork functions with the various government agencies on your behalf. We can provide you with all the necessary forms so you can have them ready when you call.
After Your Hunt ...
Skinning, Salting, and Tanning:
Monitor the skinning process. Hair slippage is the number one reason why hunters receive poor quality trophies. Your guide should be well versed in the process of skinning and salting down your hides for shipping, but we've also seen eyelids completely cut out, skin around horns cut too short, and other damage that adds to the cost of repairs for you. It pays to be vigilant.
You may, and probably will, be approached to have your hides tanned overseas. Be aware that quality of tanning may not be as good as it is in the States. If you do choose to have hides tanned there, have the forwarder direct your shipment to us, rather than the tannery (unless it is a controlled item such as a primate or swine that needs re-treatment, in which case it needs to go to the tannery).
You may, and probably will, be approached to have your hides tanned overseas. Be aware that quality of tanning may not be as good as it is in the States. If you do choose to have hides tanned there, have the forwarder direct your shipment to us, rather than the tannery (unless it is a controlled item such as a primate or swine that needs re-treatment, in which case it needs to go to the tannery).
Mount it there???
Okay ... why would you do that when Captured Moments Taxidermy is the BEST?!!
If you do choose to go with international tanning and taxidermy, don't be surprised with a higher airfreight bill than you might expect. Airfreight is billed based on the greater weight of actual versus dimensional volume. In other words, even if your mount isn't very heavy (the forms ARE made of foam), the SIZE may be what determines the cost. The GREATER of the two measurements is used to determine your shipping cost.
If you do choose to go with international tanning and taxidermy, don't be surprised with a higher airfreight bill than you might expect. Airfreight is billed based on the greater weight of actual versus dimensional volume. In other words, even if your mount isn't very heavy (the forms ARE made of foam), the SIZE may be what determines the cost. The GREATER of the two measurements is used to determine your shipping cost.
Forwarder:
Ask your guide when your skins will be taken to the forwarder. This is when your shipping clock starts ticking. Your broker may be able to recommend a local forwarder that they trust and deal with. We will provide you with personalized shipping labels to attach to each of your trophies in order to expedite them, as well as an instruction sheet for shipping. Remember that swine, some primates, and ruminants require re-processing (dipping) in the US by an approved establishment. Our tanneries have been USDA approved establishments for many years.
Obtain photocopies of all your hunting registers from you guide before you leave the country. Ask when and how they are filed.
According to CBP regulations, each hunter must have their trophies packed in their own crate and cannot co-mingle them with another hunter's trophies. A group of hunters may have their separate crates shipped on the same master bill to lower freight costs.
When your trophies are ready to be shipped, common practice will have the forwarder contact you to collect freight charges. At this point, contact your customs broker. They will now take over if they have not already. They will know if the rate you are paying is within normal range or not. After the payment decision is made, expect 2-3 weeks to accomplish the export paperwork.
Obtain photocopies of all your hunting registers from you guide before you leave the country. Ask when and how they are filed.
According to CBP regulations, each hunter must have their trophies packed in their own crate and cannot co-mingle them with another hunter's trophies. A group of hunters may have their separate crates shipped on the same master bill to lower freight costs.
When your trophies are ready to be shipped, common practice will have the forwarder contact you to collect freight charges. At this point, contact your customs broker. They will now take over if they have not already. They will know if the rate you are paying is within normal range or not. After the payment decision is made, expect 2-3 weeks to accomplish the export paperwork.
Broker Goes to Work:
From here, your broker will take the reins. Questions about further fees and charges should be directed to them. Upon arrival, there are things like carrier import service charges, storage charges, ocean freight terminal services charges, harbor maintenance fees, messenger fees, fees to turn documents into fish and wildlife entry documents, possible fees for opening crates for inspection and re-securing them and fees to complete the "3-177" form. Ports around the US vary greatly with customs, and most want a formal customs surity bond -- yes -- another fee! Usually, you should allocate approximately $10 per kilo for all these costs. As you can see, the clearance process is no simple matter.
A good broker is worth THEIR fee!!
A good broker is worth THEIR fee!!
Home at Last:
Once your trophy arrives at the tannery, any additional USDA handling fees will be calculated. Depending on the species, our tannery may waive these fees if all the hides in the order are tanned at their facility. They will contact us, and let us know they are ready to begin.
We will contact you to work out the details of your pose requests, and make sure your contract with us is completed and signed. This is when your 50% down payment is due. Once that is taken care of, we will give the tannery the go-ahead and your trophy is on it's way to becoming a "captured moment!"
We will contact you to work out the details of your pose requests, and make sure your contract with us is completed and signed. This is when your 50% down payment is due. Once that is taken care of, we will give the tannery the go-ahead and your trophy is on it's way to becoming a "captured moment!"