Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping
Under no circumstances can I ship out of the United States due to 1972 MMPA act of protected marine mammals. All packages are sent via USPS. Please contact before buying for faster shipping.
Refunds and Exchanges
Every package includes insurance through USPS. A delivery confirmation number can be provided to you upon request so you can track the package. If lost, a claim can be filed. If you not happy with your item, it can be exchanged or refunded within 14 days of receipt.
Alaska Sea Otter Hunting and Handicrafting
I receive many questions regarding the laws and regulations around the use and sale of Sea Otter Fur. Sea Otter Fur has played a significant role in the cultural history of Alaskan Natives and thus, today only Alaskan Native as legally allowed to harvest, craft, and sell these goods. Read below for more information.
Who may harvest sea otters in Alaska
Alaska Native peoples (50 CFR Part 18.3 Definitions), who reside in Alaska and dwell on the coast may harvest sea otters without a permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The harvest must be accomplished in a non-wasteful manner. Non-Alaska Native peoples may accompany Alaska Native hunters as observers, but may not participate in the hunt.
Where you can hunt
The Marine Mammal Protection Act does not limit the areas of Alaska where sea otters may be harvested. However, there may be some areas with hunting or access restrictions, such as National Parks, state game sanctuaries, or private land. Some Tribal governments have written and are implementing sea otter management plans which encourage or discourage hunting in specific areas. Some areas have state or local ordinances limiting where firearms can be discharged.
How many sea otters can you harvest and what methods are allowed
There is no federal harvest limit for sea otters and no restrictions on the methods in which they may be taken. Some local areas or Tribal governments may have local guidance, and we encourage you to check with the nearest Tribal government.
After the Hunt
Tag your Harvest
Hunters must have their raw sea otter hides and skulls tagged by a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service tagger within 30 days of harvest. If more than one sea otter is taken for tagging at the same time, hunters must match the skull with the correct hide. The tags must stay on the hide and skull for as long as practical during the handcrafting process. Tagging is a management tool which gives biologists information about the animals and where they are being taken. A pre-molar tooth may be removed from the skull and kept by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as part of the tagging process. To find the closest tagger or to get answers about tagging contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Marking, Tagging and Reporting program by email FW7_ak_marine_mammals@fws.gov or phone (907) 786-3800 or 1-800-362-5148 or go to the web site at http://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/mmm/mtrp/mtrpmain.htm
Tanning Sea Otter Hides
The tags must remain attached to the hide throughout the tanning process and until the skin has been cut into parts for creating an authentic Native article of handicraft or clothing. Home, or self-tanning, by Alaska Native peoples is allowed without a permit. Commercial tanneries must be registered with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to be able to tan sea otter hides. List of registered tanneries, or call the USFWS at 907-786-3311.
Selling Sea Otter Parts
Selling to Alaska Native Peoples
Unaltered (tanned or untanned) sea otter parts or whole hides may be sold or traded to other Alaska Native peoples or to a registered agent for resale to other Alaska Native peoples.
Selling to Non- Alaska Native Peoples
Sea otter parts must be significantly altered into an authentic Native handicraft, by an Alaska Native person, in order for them to be sold to non- Alaska Native peoples.
Authentic Native Handicrafts
Alaska Native peoples may make both traditional items (such as mittens) and non-traditional items (such as teddy bears) using sea otter parts. The items may have non-traditional features such as zippers, buttons and snaps. However, the items must be significantly altered in order to be considered authentic Native handicrafts and be saleable to non-Alaska Native peoples.
Significantly Altered
A sea otter will be considered “significantly altered” when it is no longer recognizable as a whole sea otter hide, and has been made into a handicraft or article of clothing as is identified below:
A tanned, dried, cured, or preserved sea otter hide, devoid of the head, feet, and tail (i.e., blocked) that is substantially changed by any of the following, but is not limited to: weaving, carving, stitching, sewing, lacing, beading, drawing, painting, other decorative fashions, or made into another material or medium; and cannot be easily converted back to an unaltered hide or piece of hide.
Tanned, dried, cured, or preserved sea otter head, tail, or feet, or other parts devoid of the remainder of the hide which includes any of the following, but is not limited to: weaving, carving, stitching, sewing, lacing, beading, drawing, or painting, other decorative fashions, or made into another material or medium.
Sea Otter Hides…What is “Significantly Altered Fact” Sheet
Transporting Sea Otter Parts or Products across International Boundaries
No one may trade or take a sea otter part or product into Canada (even if they have relatives there) because Canadian law prohibits the take of sea otters and does not allow commerce involving sea otter parts or products.
All sea otter populations are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and require a CITES permit to be transported across international boundaries. The CITES permit is required even if the product has been made into an authentic Native handicraft.
Some countries, however, may allow sea otter products to move across the border if they are personal effects. For more information about permits, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife import/export office in Anchorage at (907) 271-6198.
Information obtained from The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services.
What is Sea Fur Sewing?
Sea Fur Sewing is an Alaska Native owned small business based in Sitka, Alaska. We handcraft premium fur garments, hats, mittens, blankets, and accessories using traditional methods and modern craftsmanship. Every piece is made to last a lifetime and many are made to be passed down.
This is not factory made clothing. This is real Alaska gear, built one piece at a time.
What kinds of fur do you use?
We primarily work with:
• Sea otter
• Seal
• Beaver
• Fox
• Other legally and responsibly sourced wild furs
Sea otter is the warmest fur in the world. Seal is extremely durable and water resistant. Beaver is warm, tough, and beautiful. Each fur has its own purpose and personality and we choose the right material for each product.
Is sea otter fur really the warmest fur in the world?
Yes. Sea otter has the densest fur of any animal on earth with up to one million hairs per square inch. That density traps heat better than any other natural fur. That is why coastal people have relied on it for thousands of years in some of the harshest environments on the planet.
If you want the warmest natural hat or blanket you can own, nothing beats sea otter.
Where do your furs come from?
All of our furs are:
• Legally harvested
• Ethically sourced
• Obtained through Alaska Native subsistence and legal trapping or hunting
Nothing is farm raised. Nothing is wasted. The meat is used, the hides are used, and the traditions are respected.
This is how it has always been done here.
Are your products legal to buy and own?
Yes. Everything we sell is 100 percent legal to own in the United States.
Sea otter and some marine mammal products can legally be sold when they are handcrafted by Alaska Native artists under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Sea Fur Sewing fully complies with all federal and state laws.
We do not ship certain items internationally due to regulations. If you have questions, just ask us.
Who makes the products?
Every product is made by hand in Alaska by me.
This is not outsourced. This is not overseas. This is real work done at sewing machines, cutting tables, and workbenches in my basement shop.
How long do your products last?
If you take care of them, our products can last decades.
Many of our customers buy these as heirloom pieces. Hats, mittens, and blankets that can be handed down to kids and grandkids.
These are not fashion items. These are lifetime items.
How do I take care of fur?
Basic care is simple:
• Keep it dry when possible
• Let it air dry if it gets wet
• Do not store in plastic
• Store in a cool dry place
• Do not crush it under heavy weight
Do not use heat, hair dryers, or washing machines. If you ever have questions, contact us and we will help.
Can fur get wet?
Yes. Seal and sea otter especially handle moisture very well. That is one reason coastal people have always used them.
If it gets wet, just let it air dry naturally.
Do you do custom orders?
Yes, when time allows.
Custom work depends on:
• Material availability
• Time of year
• Current workload
If you have an idea, send me a message and we can talk about what is possible.
Why are your products expensive?
Because:
• The materials are rare and valuable
• The work is done by hand
• Each piece takes many hours or days to make
• These are not mass produced
• These are heirloom quality goods
You are buying craftsmanship, time, skill, and a product that will last for decades.
Are these real furs or faux?
These are real natural furs. We do not work with faux fur.
Real fur breathes, lasts longer, insulates better, and does not shed microplastics into the environment like synthetics do.
Do you ship outside Alaska?
Yes. We ship all over the United States.
Some items cannot be shipped internationally due to regulations. If you are outside the US, contact us first before ordering.
How long does shipping take?
In stock items usually ship within a few business days.
Custom items take longer depending on the project.
Shipping from Alaska takes a little longer than the lower 48, but it is worth the wait.
What if something needs repair?
We stand behind our work.
If something comes loose or needs repair, contact us. Many items can be repaired or refurbished.
That is another advantage of real handmade goods.
Are your products ethical and sustainable?
Yes.
We believe in:
• Using the whole animal
• Respecting the resource
• Supporting local hunters and trappers
• Making products that last a lifetime instead of disposable goods
This is slow, respectful, sustainable production.
Why buy from Sea Fur Sewing instead of somewhere else?
Because:
• You are buying directly from the maker
• You are supporting Alaska Native and rural artisans
• You are getting real materials and real craftsmanship
• You are getting something that will not be made in a factory
This is the real thing.
How do I know what size to order?
Check the product page for sizing info. If you are unsure, contact us before ordering and we will help you get it right.
How can I contact you?
Use the contact form on the website or message us through our Facebook or Instagram pages. We are a small shop and we answer our own messages. Or feel free to give me a call at (907)738-1501