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TROPHY IMPORTATION INTO AUSTRALIA ‘MUST DO’S‘

I am currently in the final stages of importing my completed taxidermy trophies into Australia following my South African Safari with Chris Troskie of CT-Safaris last year.

The reason behind this story is that the “Australian Quarantine Inspection Service” (AQIS) along with Australian Customs Service have changed and updated their requirements for the importation of animal products into Australia, so let the story begin.

Of my Eleven (11x) Trophies, One will be a Full Mount (Duiker) Three (3x) will be Pedestal Mounts (Kudu, Gemsbok and Black Wildebeest) Five (5x) will be European Skull Mounts on bookshelf shields (Springbuck, Black Springbuck, Waterbuck, Impala & Blue Wildebeest)

It must be noted that the skins of the Waterbuck along with the Zebra are soft tanned with Black Felt backing whereas the skins from the Springbuck, Black Springbuck, Impala, Jackal and Blue Wildebeest skins are just soft tanned along with the ‘Back Skin’ of the Kudu, Gemsbok & Black Wildebeest.

In addition to the normal paperwork provided by the P.H. namely the “South African Professional Hunting Register and Trophy Export Application” showing the game taken and the locations from which they were taken and your “Hunting Licence(s)” the Taxidermist then must then provide the following for Export.:
1. Numbered Invoice
2. Packing List
3. Permit to Export ( Showing the species taken)
4. Veterinary Certificate (2 Pages)

The attending State Veterinary Officer will sign and stamp 2,3, & 4 above after inspecting the consignment prior to leaving the Taxidermist for Export and seal the shipping container / crate and give it a ‘Crate No.’ and a ‘Seal No.’

AQIS / Customs now require the Taxidermist to state on their Invoice or other linkable paperwork to the trophies the following statements.:

In the case of European Skull Mounts or Skulls being brought back to Australia for later finishing MUST state the following.:

“Please be advised that all the items covered by Invoice Number ???? have been commercially prepared and processed.
All hides and skin have been fully tanned, and are free of adhering fat, muscle, blood, bone and evidence of decay.
All skulls and horn present have been boiled at a minimum of 100°C for 30 minutes and all traces of brain have been thoroughly removed.”

As I did not bring back any ‘Raw’ skins I would suggest that you inquire into the latest requirements as all mine were soft tanned and hence a completed article and posed no risk.
However, I requested the links below to the AQIS requirements from Asean Cargo and are as follows.:

Untanned Skins.:
http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_cas...;LogSessionID=0

Other Options.:
http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_Que...se=All+End+Uses

Mounted Trophies.:
http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_cas...;LogSessionID=0

If a timber crate is being used to bring back your trophies which is the usual, it MUST comply with (made from) ‘ ISPM15 ‘ timber which is a universal treatment of wooden crate timber for transport.

If you are getting European Skull mounts on Shields, the shields need to be treated before shipping. This treatment is known as ‘Tanalith CCA’ or equivalent and a letter to this effect needs to be provided by the Taxidermist again the Invoice number must be shown on this letter so that in effect AQIS / Customs has a numerical trail on all the work done.

This information is for reference only with all of the normal disclaimers and I suggest that the you contact the ones I used below or your own shipping company and Import Agent as these regulations change on a fairly regular basis.

I used the following company to Export my trophies from South Africa as they are specialists in Trophy shipments.:
Zingela Forwarders Mr Koos du Toit +27 (0) 11 395 1855 www.zingelaforwarders.co.za

In Australia I used this company to do the Importation of my trophies and the contact person is a fellow hunter and has experience in these matters and is responsible for alerting me to the problem and it’s resolution as stated in this story.
Asean Cargo Pty Ltd Mr Dave Balangé +61 (2) 8221 6621 www.asean.com.au

I want to thank both Koos and Dave for all of their assistance and hope this information will be of help to any Australian intending to hunt Africa.

Cheers for now,

Jeff Gray