It looks like I will soon be importing a Belgian dog. I've been trying to discover what I need to do at my end (California). Learned about VS (Veterinary Services) form 17-129, and am doing that. I would think that at the other end an international health certificate and rabies vaccination will be required from a vet.
Apparently the dog needs to be inspected at the first US airport where the jet will touch down. I'm in California, and it seems that all flights touch down around New York or Chicago. When this inspection happens-- is the delay for inspection negligible, or should I fly to the east coast and bring the dog back to California as baggage?
Advice on insurance issues? I don't know what the options are at all.
Any and all advices much appreciated. I'm hopeful that I might finally get the dog I've been looking for.
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
Posts: 5983
Loc: Idaho
Offline
Wayne,
Double and triple check the shipping bill ( by fax ) before the dog is sent. Just a small error can cost you many hours of waiting and added expense.
A friend of my recently imported a dog for private sport ownership. Unfortunately, the paperwork was marked that the dog was being imported for Police work by the importer in Holland, who we'd used before. Customs could not release the dog to us without department letterhead, and the dog was kept at Customs until we arranged a paperwork change through the airport Customs House. All that added four hours and $150 to the process.
Don't let that happen to you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I just imported my male from Belgium. Seller took care of the info. Used a DTC I think was the name of the company. They'll do the paperwork. Seller needs to do international healt certificate. Sometimes customs will clear the dog, sometimes they won't. Delta tried telling me they don't do it anymore and that I'd have to call customs when the dog arrived to my location (which I have had to do before), but surprising, Atlanta cleared the dog. Say it's a pet , if you have to call customs, Delta charges $25.00
Keys to shipping are
1. Make sure that the animal does not switch carriers.
You want the animal to be handled by only 1 airline for the entire trip.
2. Do NOT travel over the weekend, try to travel on tuesdays, wednesdays.
3. Use a good animal travel company.
I have brought in dogs from Germany and Belgium via Gradlyns. This shipper out of Amsterdam looks to be almost half the price and lots closer to Antwerp than Frankfort is! As far as Customs, if you don't ship alot of dogs, you should not have a problem clearing as a personal dog. If you are bringing in and sending out dozens of dogs a year - yes, you have to use a customs broker and pay duties. I just got one shipped from British Columbia, via an overnight in Toronto, and no problems at all with Customs. As long as the paperwork for vaccines and health certificates are done right at point of origin, you should have no problems.
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.