New Hunting Trophy Shipment Regulations Lead to Seizures In The US

On the subject of hunting trophy-shipment problems, there is another set of new regulations that huntersin the US need urgently to be aware of, as they have already led to a trophy seizure. Others may be in the pipeline. The new regulations relate to the import of personal items made from CITES animal parts elephant footstools, for example. The issue gets complicated here as it involves the use of different kinds of designations for trophy versus personal items, but the bottom line is, the Service is seizing personal items made from some CITES animals. Your best course of action is simply to not try to import such items into the US at all any more. Have your entire CITES trophy imported as a trophy and then get your local taxidermist to make any desired items from it. If you already have personal items made from a CITES trophy awaiting shipment overseas put a hold on that shipment right away. Send a copy of the export permits to your US freight agent who can advise you on how to proceed. There is some chance that new leeway will be allowed for such shipments in the future, but right now is not the time to try to import such items.

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