How to Import Moose Antlers

Tissue and other bone has to be cleaned from antlers before they can be imported.

Importing moose antlers into the United States for trophy use is a relatively straightforward process, if antlers are from Canadian moose, which are exempt from the import restrictions that apply to other animal parts or trophies from other countries. The import of moose antlers from countries other than Canada may require more documentation or even be prohibited in some cases.

Things You'll Need

• Hunting license or equivalent documentation
• Clean, dry antlers
• Maximum two sets of antlers

Instructions

Importing Moose Antlers

1. 

   Antlers can be imported for personal use only.

   Have paperwork establishing the country where the moose was hunted, including a hunting license issued by that country. The document has to be in English or accompanied by a government-certified translation, and must be issued by a government body and not the outfitter or hunting guide. It should state the number of moose allowed to be hunted.

2. Ensure the antlers meet the legal definition of “trophy” by being clean and dry, with no moist pieces of flesh or hide attached. They can not be imported still attached to the moose’s intact skull. To be considered a trophy for the purposes of importation, antlers have to be in a condition that would allow them to be mounted immediately.

3. Import antlers only for your personal use, not for commercial sale. Antlers that will be used commercially are regulated as “commercial bones” and subject to more restrictions.

4. Bring in no more than two sets of antlers, the maximum allowed per person under trophy regulations. However, larger numbers of antlers from a group of hunters can be imported together as long as each set of antlers can be connected to a corresponding hunting license.

5. Pick the carrier of your choice for shipping your trophies to the United States. There are no restrictions around types of carriers or transportation modes for trophies being brought into the country. You can even bring antlers on the plane with you as carry-on luggage if they are fully prepared, protected and documented.

Tips & Warnings

• If unable to prepare your trophy properly for import, you can arrange to ship it to a USDA-certified facility to be treated.

• Importing moose bone, including antlers, is prohibited from countries that the United States Department of Agriculture has deemed might have animals carrying bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

References

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Guidelines for the Importation of Ruminant, Swine and Bird Trophies
• Hunting Outfitters: Hunting Trophies from Canada

Resources

• Hub Pages: How to Bring Home Your Trophy as Airline Luggage