Reiser Taxidermy

Dear Hunter

TROPHIES DESTINED FOR THE UNITED STATES

We would like to bring the following issues to your attention and it is very important that you take note of them, as this will ensure the smooth handling of your valued trophies.

BABOON:
All unprocessed Baboon trophies parts need to have a CDC permit from US Fish and Wildlife in the States before arriving in the States. No Baboon trophy parts will be allowed to enter the States unless this permit is ready and available upon arrival. Upon arrival all raw Baboon trophy parts need to be send to a USDA approved facility. Please ensure that you have the CDC permit or obtain same yourself or through your desired customs broker. We suggest that should you ONLY have a Baboon skull; you have him mounted in Namibia as a European (skull) Mount, to avoid all the hassles in the States. All fat will be removed, which is the main concern in the States.

WARTHOG:
Warthog trophies are a very sensitive issue. Although all raw Warthog trophies parts are cleaned, disinfected and bleached to such an extent that they should be considered fully taxidermied, it is still in the discretion of the USDA official clearing your shipment, whether your shipment of raw trophies needs to be shipped to an USDA approved taxidermist. It is therefore vital that should you have Warthog trophy parts, your taxidermist is USDA approved or you appoint one who is USDA approved, to avoid any delays when shipment enters the States. This does not apply to Warthog skulls mounted as European mounts, Warthog tusks mounted on shield or Warthog shoulder mounts. We therefore strongly recommend that should you only have Warthog tusks or skulls, to have them mounted in Namibia, to avoid the additional charges in the States. The Warthog skulls will be fat and grease free and thus have easy entry into the United States.

HUNTING OF YOUNG AND SICK ANIMALS:
We would like to bring to your attention that the hunting of young and immature animals/ trophies may result in damaged skulls and horns, due to the dipping method applied at Reiser Taxidermy. We cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to these horns and skulls, as our system is laid out for mature trophies. The problem on young skulls and horns is that they tend to disintegrate or flake. We will do our best to guarantee a quality raw trophy, but this might result in a delay for your shipment. Please make sure that you only hunt mature and healthy trophies.

CRATING:
US Customs is currently implementing a law prohibiting joint packing of various hunter’s shipments into one crate. Certain ports of entry still do allow joint packing, but we are no longer willing to take the risk of shipments possibly being returned because US Customs turned the shipment down. Although we fully support the crating of more then one hunter into one crate for the sake of cost saving, we can not run the risk of the entire shipment being returned to us at our or your expense for re-packing purposes.
It is however still possible to have a group of hunters shipped on one airway bill number. In other words the group can still be shipped together in their individual crates, but get cleared together by Customs and US Fish and Wildlife once arriving in the States.

PAYMENTS:
If you are hunting in a group, we still need to issue individual invoices for the sake of hunting permits and later the export documentation. In order for you to save on the exorbitant transfer/ wire fees, we encourage you to make a joint once off payment for your entire hunting group.

CITES:
For the following trophies your authorities require a CITES Import permit, which you need to obtain from your authorities prior to shipment and e-mail or fax us a copy:

                          Leopard, Rhino and Crocodile

Once again you can apply directly to US Fish and Wildlife or give your customs broker the power of attorney to obtain it for you.
All other CITES animals like the Hartmann Zebra (Mountain Zebra) only need a CITES Export Permit from Namibia and this is sufficient for the authorities in the States. We will obtain it for you.

CITES APPLICATION SECTION 4 (CONSIGNEE):
Under section 4 on your application form – CONSIGNEE – please ensure that you enter the name of your outfitter in Namibia and NOT the taxidermist, e.g. Reiser Taxidermy. The Namibian CITES authorities will NOT accept a CITES Import Permit from the States, or any other country, where the outfitter does not appear under CONSIGNEE. Improper CITES documents will delay your shipment.

BANNED ANIMALS:
It is common knowledge that Cheetah and Black Faced Impala will not be allowed to enter into the States. Other animals, which are banned, are Porcupine (entry into the States only if fully processed e.g. Tanned or mounted) and rodents such as Springhare. It is your responsibility that you enquire with your outfitter or us to find out whether the ban has been lifted in the meantime. This will ensure that no disappointments arise afterwards.

TANNING OF HIDES AND BACKSKINS:
Due to the ever-increasing freight costs we at Reiser Taxidermy strongly advise that you to have all your hides and back skins tanned in Namibia. This will reduce your volume and weight in the crate. Raw hides are extremely heavy and bulky and once tanned, they handled easily and their weight is reduced by at least 75%. The tanning is done by us and does not effect your delivery time of three months. This would save on the heavy freight charges and   you would not have to pay for the tanning in the States. Unfortunately we cannot tan your capes and life size skins for you, due to the different taxidermy methods applied in the States. 

On Zebra-, Gemsbok, Hartebeest and Wildebeest hides we strongly recommend you have black felt backing done. This protects your skin, especially when put on the floor. It furthermore gives the skin a longer lifespan and a nice finish.

TREATING OF WOODEN PACKING MATERIALS:
International laws require that all wooden packing material have to be treated. Untreated wooden packing material might result in the fact that your shipment gets turned down by your import authorities. Although we ensure that all our wooden packing material gets treated and has the required stamps, the shipper has the right to send a packed shipment for treatment again, if he feels that shipment does not make the requirements. It might thus happen that the shipper will take your shipment for treatment again. Should this happen a minimal charge will be levied on your freight bill. This is only to safeguard yourself by avoiding shipments getting turned down and returned to country of origin at your expense.

TROPHIES DESTINED FOR SOUTH AFRICA:
I would like to point out to you that trophies destined for taxidermists in South Africa might have to wait as long as six months before we can ship them. This is due to the fact that the South African authorities take forever in issuing the necessary documents for the importation of raw trophies into South Africa. Unfortunately there is nothing we or the shipper can do to speed up the process.

Should you have any further questions regarding your trophies and the shipment thereof, please feel free to either contact the Namibian shipper or myself.

Thanking you in advance for entrusting us with your valued trophies and wishing you a pleasant stay and successful hunt in Namibia.

Yours truly

Wilko Pascheka
Reiser Taxidermy