About Us

About Expedition Cargo

Expedition Cargo is a socially-conscious business that imports cultural art, artifacts, textiles and other distinctive items for the private collector, home decorator and business. Expedition Cargo partners with international conservation non-government organizations (NGOs) to help support indigenous communities, providing economic resources to impoverished areas from the sale of hand-made items. This is executed in a sustainable, culturally sensitive way that will not be detrimental to the ecosystem and is compatible with biodiversity conservation.

Currently there is a fairly strong market among private collectors of primitive art and artifacts as seen by the increase of Internet websites selling such items and increased travel to remote and exotic locations. Another emerging market is the Zoological Park industry, which is developing more ‘themed’ master plans that focus on specific regions of the world for their animal collections and display a representation of these regions in guest areas. Zoo merchandising and gift shops are increasingly selling items from these locales to visitors desiring authentic, conservation-minded souvenirs. There is also a growing market of home decorating in exotic or culturally-themed decor to relive memories of exotic travel. The environmentally-friendly products will appeal to the exponentially growing trend of ‘green’ purchasing.

The founder of Expedition Cargo has worked in the zoological and conservation field since 1984. He has traveled extensively, both in the context of professional conservation endeavors as well as for personal collecting and cultural experiences. During this time he has made many contacts with conservation NGOs and explored the offerings of markets in exotic locations. Each conservation mission resulted in discussion of the need to economically support the indigenous communities, both preserving and improving their ways of life while conserving the ecosystems and wildlife around them. Currently Expedition Cargo has projects in Myanmar, New Guinea, Peru, Senegal, Gabon, Thailand, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Vietnam and developing other partnerships in Camaroon and other west African countries. Expedition Cargo has a wide choice of inventory on hand or can handle custom orders for specific pieces or bulk orders.

Artifact Repair and Restoration
Professional repair and restoration services provided by Doug Mehaffey for an additional charge. Contact Expedition Cargo for more information.

Requests for Tribal Art Not Listed
If there is a particular piece of type of collectors item you wish to purchase, please contact us and we will try to acquire it on your behalf. Requests are welcome.