Trophy Expediting and Shipping

A significant advantage of hunting in New Zealand is the ease and efficiency of the trophy expediting and shipping process. Unlike many other international hunting destinations, New Zealand’s streamlined regulations mean that most clients receive their trophies within a highly efficient timeframe, typically three to six months after the hunt concludes.The Process from Estate to Expediter

Once your animals are harvested, the initial preparation is handled right here at Ivory Cliffs Estate:

  • Paperwork & Tagging: Before leaving the Estate, the hunter completes all necessary export paperwork with their professional guide. All trophies (skins and antlers/skulls) are individually tagged with the hunter’s name to ensure accurate matching of skins to skulls/antlers.
  • Skins: The animal skins are professionally caped and immediately frozen to ensure optimal preservation.
  • Skulls: Skulls are capped and prepared for boiling.

The frozen skins and antlers are then delivered to a professional expediter who specializes in the rigorous "Dip & Pack" process required for international exportation.

Expediter Services (Dip & Pack)

The expediter manages all necessary treatment and documentation steps:

  • Skins: The frozen skins are thawed, cleaned, heavily salted, and carefully dried. This process is crucial for preventing biological risks and meeting international import standards.
  • Skulls: Skulls are meticulously boiled, cleaned, and professionally whitened (peroxided).
  • Packing & Shipment: Once fully cured and treated, custom wooden crates are constructed to protect your trophies during transit. The expediter then coordinates the shipping logistics.

Please note: The costs associated with the Dip & Pack service are paid directly by the client to the expediting company, separate from your Ivory Cliffs Estate bill.

International Transport and Mounting

The international shipping process is expertly managed in collaboration between the New Zealand expediter and a customs broker in the hunter's home country. We are happy to recommend reliable and experienced customs brokers in the USA and other countries to simplify this step for you.

To achieve significant cost savings on shipping and subsequent taxidermy, we strongly recommend having your trophies mounted back in your home country (e.g., the USA). Shipping finished mounts is exponentially more expensive and logistically complex than shipping treated, flat-packed skins and skulls. This "dip and pack and ship" strategy allows you to select your preferred taxidermist at home while minimizing your overall transport costs.