DIP & PACK vs MOUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Bertus Steenkamp
3 days ago
5 min read

Getting a clear guide for international hunters

This is never really about one being "better" than the other - it's about picking the route that matches your budget, timing, risk tolerance, and how many service providers you're comfortable having involved in the deal.

Summary: Which one fits you best?

If you're the right person for Dip & Pack:

You plan on mounting your trophies a bit down the line ( maybe one at a time over several months or years)
You already have a taxidermist back home that you trust
You'd prefer to get your taxidermy work done right in your home country
You want to keep your options open for pose choices later on
You're happy to deal with a bit more complexity and multiple service providers

If you're the right person for Mounting in South Africa:

You're looking for the simplest route: just get it done and then ship it
You want to keep things as straightforward as possible and have fewer handovers
You want one main taxidermy outcome that gets managed from start to finish
You want to avoid any more domestic transport after the trophy arrives (often just import it and then it's home)
You want the crate to be easily visible for inspections (often, just open the lid and you can see what's inside)

Quick definitions

What is Dip & Pack all about?

Dip & Pack is all about getting your trophies ready for export. We preserve and pack them so they can be legally shipped to your destination country.

What is Mounting?

Mounting is the full taxidermy process that gets your trophies looking their absolute best (shoulder mounts, pedestal mounts, rugs, skulls - the whole shebang)

The "Dip & Pack Chain" - what happens when you go this route (Step 1 - 6)

When you choose Dip & Pack, your trophies go on a bit of a journey:

Step 1:

Dip & Pack preparation in South Africa

Step 2:

Get all the export paperwork sorted, crate it up, and ship out of South Africa

Step 3:

The crate arrives in your country and gets delivered to a receiving agent or import partner

Step 4:

The tannery gets involved for cape/skin tanning (often that's an extra cost)

Step 5:

Then it's off to your taxidermist for mounting

Step 6:

And finally, the finished piece gets delivered to your doorstep

Dip & Pack can be a great option if you want to spread costs and decisions out over time, but just make sure you factor in the whole chain and plan ahead.

Comparing Dip & Pack vs Mounting: why your budget might be a lot higher than you think

When people are comparing costs, they often just compare:

Mounting price in South Africavs\
Mounting price in the US/EU

But they forget about all the extra costs that come with the Dip & Pack chain. The mounted-in-SA price often includes all the production steps you need for the final mount, while the US/EU workflows usually involve separate tannery services and multiple transfers.

To get a fair comparison, you really need to look at the total cost of the whole process

More handovers = more risk (keep it simple)

Dip & Pack usually involves a few more service providers and some extra transfers. And as you'd expect, more transfers can increase the risk of:

Things getting lost or damaged\
Delays because of wrestling with different providers
All sorts of admin headaches

Now, that doesn't automatically mean Dip & Pack is a bad option. It just means you should know what you're getting into and have a clear quote before you decide.

Inspections: mounted crates vs soft-packed items

International trophy movement sometimes involves inspections, and the type of crate can change the whole experience.

Mounted trophies: usually, you can just open the crate and have a quick peek inside
Dip & Pack (dry skin-packed): often the inspector needs to unpack and unfold the skins to confirm what's inside

Just be aware that dry skin-packed items will need a bit more time to be inspected.

What to ask for in a quote so you can compare Dip & Pack vs Mounting fairly

Here's a checklist to make sure you're comparing like for like:

South Africa / Export side

Dip & Pack fees\
Export paperwork and admin\
Crating up the trophies\
Shipping and airfreight estimates

Overseas side (US/EU)

Receiving and handling fees when it arrives\
Tannery fees for cape/skin tanning\
Transfers between tannery and taxidermist\
Final delivery from the taxidermist to your home

When all that's clear on paper, the decision becomes a whole lot easier.

Credibility note

Costs and timelines vary widely depending on the number of species, destination, crate size, seasonality, and the length of inspections.

Want a clear recommendation for your hunt?

If you send us the following via WhatsApp:

Your species list\
Destination country/state\
"Mount in SA now" or "Mount later at home"\
(Optional - if you already have a taxidermist at home, feel free to mention them too)

We'll help you figure out the simplest, most predictable route - and walk you through what to expect step by step. Text us the details, and we'll give you a clear breakdown of the costs

FAQ

1) Is Dip & Pack a cheaper option than just mounting in South Africa?

It can be cheaper sometimes, but not always. We see people thinking Dip & Pack is because the costs are broken down differently - split across export, shipping, overseas handling, tanning, and all the stops in between. But when you look at it, the total end cost is what you've got to look at.

2) Does Dip & Pack include tanning?

To be honest, Dip & Pack is mainly just export preparation and preservation. Tanning is a separate thing - often handled on its own if you're planning to get the trophies mounted overseas. Always check what's actually included in the quote.

3) Am I able to dip & pack now and mount later on?

Yeah, that's one of the main reasons to go with Dip & Pack - which is great if you want to finish mounting the trophies over time.

4) Is it better to get the trophies mounted in South Africa?

It's safer in a way because you've got less to worry about with logistics. But with the right handling and clear quotes, either route can work.

5) Why do inspections matter when it comes to Dip & Pack?

Well, if you've got an inspection happening that can actually affect how your trophies are handled and even your timelines. Mounted crates are pretty easy to check visually, but soft-packed items might need to be unpacked for inspection.

6) What's the one mistake hunters make all the time?

Doing a half-cooked comparison that's only looking at mounting prices and not considering Dip & Pack costs, export, shipping overseas tannery costs, and all the rest of it - all those extra costs that can really add up.