IMPORTANT: US stops accepting live animals as cargo -- effective TODAY - Page 6

The brokers not only charge you for it,  they rob you. At least some of them. I was calling around getting quotes today, these quotes are only for being the shipping broker- The breeder and I are paying for everything else ourselves; the flight,  the health certificate, bill of sale, crate & and drop off and pick up of pup at the airport.  The cheapest quote I got was for $300, the most expensive (sit down for this one) $2,000.   It is just absurd.  I wouldnt mind if it were $100 or so, it requires at most 30 minutes of a brokers time- but $300 to $2,000??? I still have the pup booked on Air Canada and for now will just hope that they don't cancel before he is due to be shipped on March 2nd.  
  By the way since the broker has to physically hand off the pup to the airline  you have to find a broker near the airport you are shipping from. 

Here's more on this, http://www.nvocc.ca/mfset_news.htm 

US 50% SCREENING EFFECTIVE FEB.1 - "KNOWN SHIPPER" CARGO ACCEPTANCE POLICIES

Effective Saturday February 1, 2009, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), has adopted new regulations through the new Foreign Air Carrier Model Security Program.

All cargo being tendered to airlines originating in Canada and destined to an aircraft departing from the United States must be from a “Verified Known Shipper”.

Effective immediately, please be advised that all Exporters are required to report all exports from the United States, in accordance with Title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 30, Foreign Trade Regulations. The US CBP requires all air carriers to ensure verification that the Exporter has indeed filed its AES Entry prior to tender to the air carrier.

Most airlines will consequently require all Exporters to tender the MAWB OR MANIFEST containing evidence of the AES Filing by indicating the ITN (Internal Transaction Number) or the Exemption that the Exporter filed with the US CBP (i.e. Shipments with Canada as Final Destination). Please further note that such indication must be located under the Cargo Description of the Airway Bill or contained on the attached MANIFEST and consist of the following format:

• Evidence of AES ITN (Internal Transaction Number) – (i.e. AES– X20081027008033)
* Note: For consolidated shipments, please note on the MAWB (See Attached Consolidated Manifest for AES Evidence)
     
• Evidence of Exemption to AES - (i.e. For Shipments destined to Canada – Code: NOEEI FTR 30.36)

All Airway Bills should be tendered in accordance to IATA Standards in a clear and legible format in order to avoid confusion when submitting to the US Customs & Border Protection for auditing purposes. Contact your local Air Canada Cargo Sales Manager for further information.

 

AKC has updated information on this as well today:

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3743

Have a dog coming from Belgium on the 5th and was trying to decide if I should use a broker or just do it myself.  Guess I got my answer. 

I just received this by e-mail

Update: United States Live Animal Shipping Policy Changes

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[Monday, February 23, 2009]

A new directive regarding transporting live animals into/through the United States has been put into effect by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Effective February 1, 2009, the directive requires that all animals, including dogs, coming into the United States booked as manifest cargo must be tendered at their [foreign] origin airport by a "Regulated Agent" or "IATA-Approved Agent". Parties not affected include: People (breeders, owners, etc.) shipping their pets as cargo within the US. People traveling with their pets as excess luggage or in-cabin within the US. People traveling with their pets as excess luggage or in-cabin into the US. Affected parties include: People shipping pets as cargo overseas/across the US border. Individuals living overseas who want to send their pets back to the US as cargo. These affected parties must now use the services of a registered/licensed shipping/cargo/freight agent or broker. Such agents are easy-to-find, as there are usually a number of them near major airports. As always, individuals flying with a dog into the US should check with their airline to confirm its policies on live animals as excess baggage. For more information, please contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

What does it take to be a broker?

Highdesert GSD - I've been wondering exactly the same thing. Here in the UK the broker's charge quite a lot to ship your dog - and I've often wondered what they actually have to do.

I was lucky and found a broker in Seattle that is ONLY charging me $175.00.   As silly as that sounds it's a good deal compared to some.  Wondering myself about what it takes to be a broker ............ I'm assuming one must be in good standing, insurable, and bondable.  I'm sure it's not a complicated proccess.  At least not as complicated as they might like us to believe.

I called Air Canada almost every day the week before my puppy was shipped and they kept reassuring me that I did not need a broker, so rather than spend money needlessly I decided to take a chance..  Last Monday the pup was shipped from Toronto to San Francisco, before I could pick him up I had to go through customs, they asked no questions other than for me to sign a certificate stating that I would get his rabies shot. I asked them about this "TSA rule" and they said that there is no such rule, that they had heard rumors and had checked into it, and there is no rule against an individual shipping a dog from Canada to the US.  One guy in customs said that this rumor starts every few years and while it's hard to prove the source, he has heard that some of the expensive pet shipping brokers have been resonsible for spreading this around.