INSURED NATIONWIDE DELIVERY | EVERY PIECE LEGALLY SOURCED & DOCUMENTED
Taxidermy SA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about legality, sourcing, shipping, mount care, payments and returns. Still stuck? Contact us and we will get back to you within one business day.

Legality & Sourcing

Is it legal to buy taxidermy in South Africa? +
Yes. All our pieces are legally obtained and sold with the necessary permits and certificates. Specimens come from game reserves, zoos or government culling programmes, and most died of natural causes. Where a species requires it, we handle CITES compliance and the relevant documentation before the piece leaves our studio.
Where do your specimens come from? +
Every specimen is legally sourced from game reserves, zoos or government culling programmes. We do not accept animals of unknown or questionable origin, and most of the animals in our gallery died of natural causes. Ethical sourcing has been at the heart of Taxidermy SA for over 15 years.
Do pieces come with paperwork? +
Yes. Each piece ships with the necessary permits and certificates confirming legal origin. For species listed under CITES, we ensure the correct documentation accompanies the piece, which is essential for export or resale.
Can you export taxidermy overseas? +
In many cases, yes. We have years of export experience and can advise on permits, CITES documentation and destination-country requirements. Import rules differ by country and by species, so email info@taxidermysa.co.za with the piece and destination before ordering and we will confirm what is possible.

Ordering & Viewing

Do I need an account to place an order? +
No - checkout works fully as a guest. We email your order confirmation and invoice to whichever address you provide, which is enough to follow your order through.
Can I view a piece before buying? +
Yes. Gallery viewings at our Durban studio (37 Flatcrown Circle, Westbrook) are by appointment, seven days a week between 08:00 and 17:00. WhatsApp or call +27 83 741 8231 to arrange a time.
Are these one-of-a-kind pieces? +
Most of our mounts, skulls and skins are individual pieces - once sold, that exact piece is gone. If you have your eye on something, we recommend ordering or reserving it promptly. Contact us if you are looking for a specific species or pose and we will let you know what is available or coming in.
Can I cancel or change my order? +
You can cancel any time before dispatch for a full refund, including the delivery fee. Once dispatched, our 30-day returns policy applies.

Shipping & Delivery

How long does delivery take? +
Standard insured courier delivery takes 3 to 7 working days anywhere in South Africa. A fixed R950 insured delivery charge is added at checkout. Oversized full mounts are crated and the delivery schedule is confirmed with you after checkout.
How are mounts packed and shipped? +
Smaller pieces - skulls, horns, skins and curios - are wrapped, padded and boxed for courier transport. Shoulder mounts and full mounts are secured in custom wooden crates that protect ears, horns and delicate features in transit. Every shipment is insured door to door.
What about very large full mounts? +
Oversized full mounts travel in purpose-built crates. After checkout we contact you to confirm the crating and delivery schedule, and to check access at the delivery address so the piece can be offloaded and placed safely.
Do you deliver across South Africa? +
Yes - we deliver to all nine provinces with insured courier, for one fixed R950 delivery charge added at checkout. We dispatch from our Durban studio and Johannesburg warehouse, whichever holds your piece.

Care & Maintenance

How do I care for a taxidermy mount? +
Keep mounts out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources and damp. Dust gently with a soft brush or dry cloth in the direction of the hair, and avoid household cleaning sprays. A stable indoor environment will keep a well-made mount looking lifelike for decades.
How do I look after a tanned skin or rug? +
Shake or vacuum gently on a low setting, keep it dry, and rotate it occasionally if it lies in sunlight. Do not machine-wash or dry-clean tanned skins. If a skin gets wet, blot it dry and let it air at room temperature away from direct heat.
Will my mount fade or deteriorate? +
Properly tanned and mounted pieces are very stable. The main enemies are prolonged direct sunlight, humidity and insects. Kept indoors in a stable environment and dusted now and then, a museum-quality mount will last a lifetime. If a piece ever needs attention, contact us - restoration is part of our craft.

Payments & Returns

Which payment methods do you accept? +
We accept PayFast (instant EFT, Visa and Mastercard) as well as direct EFT with an emailed invoice. Every order is confirmed by email with an invoice.
When does my order ship if I pay by EFT? +
Direct EFT orders are dispatched as soon as the funds reflect - PayFast payments confirm instantly. You will receive an email confirmation when your piece is on its way.
What is your returns policy? +
You have 30 days to return a piece. If anything arrives damaged, report it within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we will replace or refund it free of charge.
Something arrived damaged. What do I do? +
Photograph the damage and the packaging, and email info@taxidermysa.co.za within 48 hours of delivery. Damage on arrival reported within 48 hours is replaced or refunded free - we handle the courier insurance claim on our side.

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