Services

The main aim and mission of Afrikan Tanning is to provide a professional service to our clients, ensuring that all products and trophies are treated to internationally specified standards. Our strict quality control, specialized processes and custom made packaging ensures that trophies and products arrive in the specified time, with minimal risk of damage.

SERVICES

Afrikan Tanning will offer these services

• Arrange for the collection of trophies locally or in a neighbouring country;
• Process trophies according to an internationally accepted standard according to the requirements, whether it being to be dipped, tanned and or mounted;
• Apply for the necessary import/export documentation (being CITES listed animals or ordinary game);
• Professionally pack trophies in custom-built crates or carton boxes;
• Arrange all transport and shipping to ensure that the consignment reaches the client in the shortest possible time.

Collection of Trophies

Trophies can either be delivered to our factory or we will arrange for the collection thereof. When collecting trophies, we make use of a courier service. The cost incurred will depend on the size of the consignment and the distance from our factory and is for the client’s account.

We check the quality of the field preparation and advise the outfitter accordingly, should there be any problems.

Import of hunting trophies from other Countries

Afrikan Tanning is an approved “High Risk Facility” meaning that it can import hunting trophies from neighbouring countries in Southern Africa. Afrikan Tanning fully complies with the requirements from the National Department of Agriculture for the import of raw hunting trophies. We can import raw hunting trophies from Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe; process it here and export it to the client

Dipping of skins / raw preparation of hunting trophies

Full raw preparation is done according to US and EU specifications and requirements.
All skins are place in a Formic Acid solution for at least 24 hours at a constant pH of 2.5. Excess meat and fat is removed from the skins. Once dried, the skin is sprayed with insecticide, folded and placed in our secure storage facility.Our dipping facility has been approved and certified by the South African Department of Agriculture, including the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Environment, as being of international standard.

Tanning of skins

Afrikan Tanning specialises in full hair on tanning (fur tanning), being it for flat skins, back skins, capes for full mounts, shoulder mounts or rug mounts.
A variety of chemicals is used during the tanning processes which include inter alia the following:

• Formic Acid
• Aluminium sulphate
• Chromosal B
• Sodium Formate
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Lutan F
• Variety of tanning oils (synthetic, plant and animal oils)

Flat skins

After the tanning, flat skins are toggled on the stretching frames, dried, tumbled, trimmed and buffed to produce a world class product.
As an optional extra, skins can be placed on a black felt lining.

Capes

Capes are shaved, split, tanned with Lutan F, tanning oils applied, dried and tumbled. These dry tanned skins are fully processed and can be exported complying with internationally accepted veterinary requirements.

Boiling and bleaching of skulls

Full raw preparation is done according to US and EU specifications. All raw skulls/horns and bones are cooked (mixed water and soda ash) for at least 60 minutes. The excess meat and marrow is then removed. The skulls are washed with normal soap. Once dried, these skulls are then placed in Hydrogen Peroxide for a minimum period of 60 minutes. The skulls are placed in the sun to dry out completely. It is then packed away in the store area.

Taxidermy

Afrikan Tanning outsources certain aspects of taxidermist work, such as the mounting of trophies, to suitably qualified artists.

Documentation for Export

We endeavour to keep up to date with the legal requirements and documentation required by various countries for the importing of trophies. Our international network of contacts is invaluable in this. We do however advise all clients to contact their local Department of Fish and Wildlife (or equivalent) to ensure the animals to be hunted will be allowed entry into their country. We apply for all export permits, including CITES if required, and all veterinary export certificates.

Packing/Crating

For the packing of trophies, we make use of our in house packaging and crating department. Regulations for packaging of trophies stipulated by various countries and airlines are adhered to. Made from wood and plywood, the sturdy crates are custom-built for each consignment according to the size and requirements. Trophies are thoroughly wrapped in plastic to ensure protection in transit and are all firmly secured within the crate to prevent all movement. All packaging conforms to ISPM 15 packing regulations.

Shipping /Freight Forwarding

The question is always asked: “how much will the shipping be?” The cost of shipping is based on the actual weight or the volumetric weight of the crate (whichever is the greatest), and the destination. Shipping can be done either by air or by sea. Sea shipments are usually much cheaper (30% to 50% cheaper than air shipments), but it takes much longer to get to the destination. There are so many variables involved in shipping costs (customs clearance, taxes, clearance with State Departments, delivery charges at destination) that it is impossible to give the actual figures before the products have been packed and crated. We will always supply the client with a quote from our preferred shipping company, Sturrock Shipping. On request insurance on consignments can be arranged.

Payment

A 50% deposit is required prior to any work commencing. The balance together with shipping charges is payable before the products can leave our Factory. The South African Reserve Bank requires all funds to be paid prior to any export taking place.
International payments can be made via Swift transfer from your bank into our Bank account in South Africa. We also accept payments via “Paypal”, if you want to pay with your credit card. All the banking codes and account numbers will be forwarded to you with the Commercial Invoice.

Important Information Concerning Taxidermy Work:

• Packaging: only one client per crate. This is a required by the USA.
• Many problems are currently encountered with delays in the issuing of permits by the relevant government agencies, please bear with us.
• Shipping costs can only be finalized by the time trophies are packed or crated.
• Payment of a deposit to the taxidermist will ensure that your work goes on the production line.
• No raw rodents may be exported
• Raw and processed products can not be shipped together