Sport-Hunted Trophies Exempt from New U.S. Import Tariffs
Safari Club International has been informed that personal sport-hunted trophies shipped to the United States are exempt from the new tariffs on imported goods. Relevant information is in the 2025 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (Revision 6) of the United States just released by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
As SCI understands it, trophy importations for U.S. citizens and residents are classified in the tariff schedule as 9804.00.55 in Section XXII Chapter 98, which states that all game animals (including birds and fish) killed abroad by a returning U.S. citizen/resident after traveling abroad and imported by him/her for noncommercial purposes do not incur any duty fees. Chapter 99 also notes that most of the exempted goods listed in Chapter 98, including hunting trophies, are exempt from any additional tariffs.
Members of SCI, including members living in the U.S. and hunting operators, taxidermists and shipping agents from abroad, have inquired how the new tariffs implemented by the U.S. would affect the shipment of hunting trophies.
Michael Coppersmith, national coordinator for Coppersmith Global Logistics, explained how the newly released tariff schedule relieves these concerns. “This development ensures that the shipping process for sport-hunted trophies will remain uninterrupted by the recent tariff changes, helping to streamline logistics and reduce additional costs for shipments.”
Hunters with pending trophy shipments should contact their international shipping agents to inform them of the tariff exemption on trophy imports. Be aware, however, that other items hunters might include in a shipment with their trophies may not be exempt from tariffs. That includes curios, art, furniture, or other purchased goods, as well as trophies they purchased but did not hunt themselves. Also, any items made from animals that hunters did not hunt themselves may be subject to tariffs.
Please note that this is not legal advice, and the tariff schedule is subject to change. SCI members with additional questions or in need of further assistance can contact SCI’s Hunter Information Service ([email protected]). The Hunter Information Service is an exclusive SCI member benefit.