New raw trophy import regs

The new regulations on raw trophy imports have been a hassle lately. However I have found a bit of a loophole that would likely be the right way to handle trophy shipments now.

Since completely processed trophies are free to enter the USA, only Raw trophies require the USDA permit holder to process. It seem to me the hunter should have all skins and capes tanned in RSA, and all skulls mounted as a European mount( no panels). Then they arrive "processed" and you're free to collect them from the shipper after clearing USF&W and US Customs. You could also have all the taxidermy done there as well which would eliminate the problem.

Then have the trophies mounted here in the USA. The tanning would have to be done anyway so that's no extra cost. Sure the European mounts would be an extra fee to complete, but certainly less then the cost of the other USA requirements now being implemented. Probably less then the domestic shipping alone, and likely far cheaper then a company with a USDA AG permit will charge you to process the trophies for cleared admission to the USA.

There are about a dozen hands touching your trophies from the time they are shot until they hang on your wall. It's amazing anything gets completed and actually comes out good at all.

After the shot you have to wrestle the beast for photos, drag and load the game to a truck

Skin and salt the hide, hang it and fold it for shipment to the dip pack

Dip pack the trophies

Ship them in a crate to the airport by truck uncontrolled environment(Freezing? Roasting? moisture?)

Handled again and stored in a warehouse prior to shipping. They are stored among other crates of unknown contents with who knows what kind of parasite or insect in unknown levels of weather protection from rain or dampness, especially from Nov to Feb!

Loaded on that flight and carried across the ocean.

Stored in a warehouse in the USA until cleared

***** new process of dipping and clearing the trophies by a company/person with an AG permit***** rehydrate and PH test may be required again!****

Shipped to your Taxidermist by truck in a non-controlled environment dampness? Freezing? Roasting? in that same wood crate,

Unpacked and shipped again to a tannery

Rehydrated and tanned

Dried, tumbled and finish process at the tannery

Shipped back to the taxidermist

Rehydrated and stretched for mounting.

When completed you now have a mount.

Think about the amount of handling that goes on with these trophies. It's amazing any end up on the wall in decent condition!

If you have them done over there dont you pay a tax on a finished product when you coma back???

Nope, you shot them and own them your not buying them and importing them. There is no tax yet on service done outside the USA to my knowledge. .... not yet!