U.S, Customs at the airport , when picking up an Import - Page 2

Ohmagod. They handle all the imports for Howie Rodriques. I wonder if they handled that long coat he sold Bo Derek for thousands upon thousands of dollars years back? I guess if you can afford to advertise in the Robb Report a broker fee isn't going to break you, eh?

SS

I just got 2 imports they where shipped to Orlando I dint had any type of problems I was there when pups arrived no questions ask filled out the custom papers was out of there within 20 min. No Brookers needed. I never had any problems with importing dogs from Germany.

Emma grace, Sounds like they are getting out of hand. I think it is about money.

By law you only need a broker if there is a duty on the product coming into the country, BUT customs in most airports now wants brokers for dogs/pups shipped here from other countries. It's just another rip-off yes.

I never tried to bring a dog through U.S. Customs, so I cannot make any commentary as to the greif that can be encountered. And yes, I was treated differently at different airports, but never hassled. The only hassle I ever recall was on a return trip from Germany when my wife and I were going through Chicago O'Hare, and it was not by the normal U.S. Customs agents. For some reason as foreign arrivals we had to go through another line of security where our backpacks were again subjected to x-ray and search.

I guess that I looked too much like a German and they decided I would be an easy target. I remember a large man reading from a pamphlet and trying to ask me in Pidgen German about the items he was pulling from my backpack. Before I could answer, he shouted "contraband!" as he unwrapped each piece and set it out of my reach as I watched. The situation became very tense as he read from his pamphlet and said "Ik glaub you people call this a Flasche." I said to him "We people call this a bottle, and I speak and understand English relatively well; do you people?" He repeatedly stated "man, you f------g crazy."

At that point he paused and I said "Look you; there is nothing in this backpack that is contraband. You are planning to steal my personal property for your own use or resale, and I demand all things to be returned to me immediately before I summon the police." In the end, I got all of my stuff which amounted to a few small pieces of pewterware and a bottle of herbal liquer and was able to board the next airplane that would take me home. I just blamed the guy's behaviour on his desire to take my property. None of it was worth much, but it was my stuff.

My way of dealing with U.S. Customs was always to present my identification, receipts, completed paperwork, speak as little as possible and I was otherwise never hassled. I do remember on more than one (1) trip where I was over the allowance and should have paid some duty that the fees were waved. Of course they were not substancial and I think they gave me a break because everything was declared. There is a protocol for quick passage through customs without hassles, and I think it has to be learned by experience. As for any dog, I would certain declare it to just be a pet-nothing more.

Regards,

Bob-O

We imported 2 pups (non GSD) last year from Hungary through Frankfort on Lufthansa into Dulles.  The people at Lufthansa Cargo were great, had all the paperwork ready.  We took the papers next door to Customs, who stamped the papers and had us out the door in 15 minutes, just in time to meet up our pups back at Lufthansa and pick them up.  Totally positive experience!

Somewhere along the line...someone asked why does Customs do this...and the answer is very simple..."Because they can"...It's true they're trying to find out some things about you and if you're a threat to anyone...but the real answer is that they are the police of the airport and anything coming into the country...So they try and rattle you and see what happens...The best thing to do is to just comply and say as little as possible...When asked what are you bringing the dog into the country for...I just say he's my pet...nothing more...If you say....Breeder...or Police Dog...or anything like that...they will make you get a broker because they feel that if you are going to make money on this dog...then they want a piece of it too...

I just brought in a 8 week old German Shepherd puppy on this past Friday night...from Holland...and the flight went well and I called the airport at Detroit, Mi to see if I would need a broker or not...they told me they have had luck in clearing the dogs themselves...so don't get a broker unles later on we find it necessary...Being from Orlando, Fl...I got lost trying to find the Cargo area at the Detroit Airport...and I got there and the puppy was already there waiting for me...At which point I was just waiting for the paperwork to clear Customs...I was then told that the airport tried to clear him but I would have to go over to Customs at the main Terminal and fill out some paperwork for him...I was lost and had no idea of how to get there much less to find my way back...At the Terminal no one there knew where Customs was...and after 1/2 hour walking around I finally found it...although there was no sign on their office as to what they were...When I went in no one was there so I had to wait another 1/2 for the officer...I filled out the paperwork and asked if they wanted to see my driver's license and he said..."when I ask you for it"...they are always very rude to everyone...The reason they detained my puppy was because he didn't have his rabies shot...and I had to sign papers that if I didn't get them by 3 months old the CDC would fine me $100,000.00...So not only do I have to quarentine him until he gets his rabies shot...but I also have to quarentine him for a month afterwards...and Customs also told me that the CDC would then come to my house and check on the paperwork and the dog...Which I have a hard time believing...but we will see...I have no problem in following their rules but I just hate the fact that they bully you around and treat you like shit...In your own country and doing everything they ask of you...I am allowed to ask questions of anyone...Customs...the Police or whoever...but I try and do what they ask...But the less you talk to them the better off you are...and I never lie to them...but I only tell them what they need to know...nothing more...nothing less....

The people at the KLM Cargo on the whole were pretty nice except for one lady who when I asked again how do I get to Customs from here and how do I get back...She was very quick with me and basically told me "this way and that way...and just go"...Now I am new to this airport and even if you know it you can still get lost...so give me a break...I mean they work there and travel around there...but I told them I don't know the area and I need help in finding my way...this one woman wasn't very kind to say the least...and I will be writing KLM and telling them how I felt about it...It's stressful enough having to go over to Customs without their hassle too...

~Bob~

I got torn down once by the DEA on a connecting flight in Cincinnati, but it was because I paid cash for my one way ticket from SF. I had driven out and didn't need a round-trip. They thought I might be a drug dealer. They took Onyx out of his crate... no, they had ME take him out lol, and searched everything, including me, but they were polite, even in "the little room" and I didn't miss the connecting flight.  I'll never buy another one way ticket cash again. I have been asked a few questions at Customs, had my luggage searched, but apart from counting the bottles of apfelwein stashed in boots in my suitcase and relieving me of a bit of wurst, no problems in dozens of trips to Europe and back. Maybe I've been lucky. Sometimes I had as many as 8 dogs with me on the way home. I do think its easier to come through Customs as a passenger with dogs than to have them shipped, but that just isn't possible every time.

Zero problems so far at SF, Sacramento, LA, Philly and Newark. Guess I'm lucky I don't live in Florida where so many drugs come in and the Customs is always wary.

SS

Guess I've been lucky.  I've used customs at Tampa Int'l a few times.  Never had any issues with them.   They have an office in the cargo area of the airport, you can call and make arrangements to have the dog cleared after hours if needed.  Otherwise there is someone there during the day. No big deal.  Last time I got 2 pups from belgium, thru continental in Houston.  Barthco kept telling me I had to pay them a fee, I said to forget it since I knew I could get them cleared here locally and not for the money they were wanting.  Houston actually cleared them and I paid $50 since it was afterhours in Texas when they did it.  Alot cheaper than barthco wanted.    All you have to do if it's after hours or not is call your local customs office and schedule it for when the dog is due so they know to be aware of it.  Have had no trouble doing it this way.

Angela