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by B.Andersen on 17 March 2010 - 15:03
I was wondering if any one could comment or has any experience in picking up a import and clearing customs etc in Los Angeles. Thanks!
by 1doggie2 on 17 March 2010 - 16:03
I have done it with and without a customs broker. I highly suggest you pay the funds and work thru the broker. It only takes one time for the paperwork to be wrong and your dog has to be kenneled overnight, which you pay for, for you to get with the program and use the broker. when you go to the Airport you pick up from the cargo area. When you open the crate be ready, they sometimes shoot out of there so block them, you better have it leashed up and secured so it does not slip off..There is a grass area you can walk to and potty the dog/pup. I bring some water and I wait to feed until I get home, you do not know if they will become car sick. You also will want something to clean them with incase of accident. Enough to clean the crate if necessary. It also saves a ton of time to have them cleared with the broker before hand. If you live a long way, take some food, best to match what the breeder was feeding. Here is a broker:
http://importcustomsbroker.com/about_ccsi.shtml
http://importcustomsbroker.com/about_ccsi.shtml
by lahrivet on 17 March 2010 - 17:03
if i order for a pedigree with high bloodline from you,how much is it going to cost me to prepare the documentation?pls reply now
by 1doggie2 on 17 March 2010 - 21:03
No idea where you are located, how old the dog is, you will need a vet clearance. Best you call a customs broker in your area and find out what the requirments are, then figure the cost from there.
by B.Andersen on 17 March 2010 - 21:03
Thank you any reccomendations for brokers I will be sending my husband to LA to pick up as we cannot get customs in AZ so dog must clear in NY Atlanta LAX etc in AZ so we have to use a broker and pay another shipping cost plus broker fee . The dog will have intl passport all healths. i have imported several thanks for the tips just first time picking one up have always used a broker came thru Atlanta or JFk but am sending my husband this time instead as it will be better for us.
by wlpool on 17 March 2010 - 22:03
I imported to Houston and it was really easy. When the flight got in, I was given a paper to take to customs (next building over). I gave them the paper and a fee then was able to go back and get him. It did take a few minutes, but was all really easy.
If I were to pick after being at both air ports, SHIP to HOUSTON. Easier to find parking, find buildings, and depending on dock, could be right next to customs building.
Good luck.
If I were to pick after being at both air ports, SHIP to HOUSTON. Easier to find parking, find buildings, and depending on dock, could be right next to customs building.
Good luck.
by B.Andersen on 17 March 2010 - 22:03
Thanks wpool but has to be LA too far to drive to Houston. LA is only 375 miles from PHX.
by 1doggie2 on 18 March 2010 - 06:03
Coming from that distance, no way would I not use a Broker. I would want me and the pup otta there as fast as possible. No way would I send hubby either! Love picking them up, just like XMAS.
by DDR-DSH on 18 March 2010 - 09:03
I have imported several through LAX, years past. Last time was about five years ago.
Before you can even collect your dog, you must be cleared through Customs. First you will go to the airline cargo terminal. If it's a foreign airline, you will be looking along the complex of terminals which are arranged along Imperial Avenue. Go slow and use your eyes, because if you miss the turnout from Imperial, you will have a long ways to go to turn around. Better if you go into that L shaped loop from 111th street, off of Aviation. Most of the flights from Europe come in with dogs around 4 PM. That was convenient for me because I could go right after work.
So, when you sign in to pick up your dog, the airline will give you paperwork to take to US Customs to be cleared. They'll tell you how to get there. It's pretty close by, off of Aviation (as I recall). It's a big building. Lots of parking. Go in the front, right inside the front door and make a hard right. That's where your window will be (unless they moved it).
You will have to sign a sworn statement, subject to penalty of perjury, that the dog is your personal property, and not for commercial use. If you are picking up for a client, or plan to use the dog in commerce, you must pay duties. Going through a customs broker is NOT adviseable, IMO, if you don't fit the criteria requiring it. It's a service and you pay for it, maybe $250 or more. Also, the customs broker is basically posting a bond with US Customs, assuring that your shipment is fitting the stated criteria. Not all customs brokers deal with live animals, and most will not take this on. You'd have to call around to find one. If you think you will need a customs broker, then start looking now, before you need one.
Not long ago, a friend wanted me to accept a bitch for her here in Los Angeles, and no way I would do it for her. I would have needed a customs broker, or I would have had to lie on the paperwork. I was on a Federal Grand Jury, years ago. Believe me.. They prosecute for all kinds of stuff, including lying to a Federal officer. They have a machine where they crank out charges and prosecutions, and you don't want to be on that assembly line.
That said, if the dog IS going to be your personal property, not for a client, not for commerce or resale, then there is NO need to get a customs broker and subject yourself to that additional cost and hassle.
When you're all signed off with US Customs, then come back with your paperwork to get your dog.
Good luck!
And, if it's an adult dog, I would NOT open the crate at the airport. Everything SHOULD be OK, but wouldn't you really rather open that crate when it's in a more controlled situation?.. Like your yard?
If it's a puppy, the odds are that the crate will already be open and the employees playing with the puppy in the office. LOL That has happened to me! ;-)
Before you can even collect your dog, you must be cleared through Customs. First you will go to the airline cargo terminal. If it's a foreign airline, you will be looking along the complex of terminals which are arranged along Imperial Avenue. Go slow and use your eyes, because if you miss the turnout from Imperial, you will have a long ways to go to turn around. Better if you go into that L shaped loop from 111th street, off of Aviation. Most of the flights from Europe come in with dogs around 4 PM. That was convenient for me because I could go right after work.
So, when you sign in to pick up your dog, the airline will give you paperwork to take to US Customs to be cleared. They'll tell you how to get there. It's pretty close by, off of Aviation (as I recall). It's a big building. Lots of parking. Go in the front, right inside the front door and make a hard right. That's where your window will be (unless they moved it).
You will have to sign a sworn statement, subject to penalty of perjury, that the dog is your personal property, and not for commercial use. If you are picking up for a client, or plan to use the dog in commerce, you must pay duties. Going through a customs broker is NOT adviseable, IMO, if you don't fit the criteria requiring it. It's a service and you pay for it, maybe $250 or more. Also, the customs broker is basically posting a bond with US Customs, assuring that your shipment is fitting the stated criteria. Not all customs brokers deal with live animals, and most will not take this on. You'd have to call around to find one. If you think you will need a customs broker, then start looking now, before you need one.
Not long ago, a friend wanted me to accept a bitch for her here in Los Angeles, and no way I would do it for her. I would have needed a customs broker, or I would have had to lie on the paperwork. I was on a Federal Grand Jury, years ago. Believe me.. They prosecute for all kinds of stuff, including lying to a Federal officer. They have a machine where they crank out charges and prosecutions, and you don't want to be on that assembly line.
That said, if the dog IS going to be your personal property, not for a client, not for commerce or resale, then there is NO need to get a customs broker and subject yourself to that additional cost and hassle.
When you're all signed off with US Customs, then come back with your paperwork to get your dog.
Good luck!
And, if it's an adult dog, I would NOT open the crate at the airport. Everything SHOULD be OK, but wouldn't you really rather open that crate when it's in a more controlled situation?.. Like your yard?
If it's a puppy, the odds are that the crate will already be open and the employees playing with the puppy in the office. LOL That has happened to me! ;-)
by DDR-DSH on 18 March 2010 - 09:03
B. Anderson..
I would not get myself all worked up over this. I've done it, many times and never needed a customs broker. That is only needed if you plan to use the dog for commercial purposes, or importing for a client.
Los Angeles is generally more difficult about a lot of things, compared to other cities. It shouldn't be like that.. should be the same everywhere. But, it's just a more regulation - intensive environment, here. Everything is by the book, "known shippers" preferred, and stuff like that. So, don't be dismissive about it, either.
Even if your dog did have to be kenneled overnight, it would not be so expensive.. maybe $80, and probably less than the cost of a customs broker. They don't give their stamp of approval for free, you know. This is a service and they have to essentially post a bond, so they are not cheap.
The good news is that if this dog is going to be your personal dog, there is no way you should have to hire the services of a customs broker.
DO be sure to take proper ID, and only the person whose name is on the air waybill can pick up and get the dog signed off. So, don't send a friend or relative, if the dog is coming in YOUR name.
If it is an adult, it's better to bring a pickup truck. That way, you can back right up to the dock and they'll load your crate with a forklift. There have been so many instances of dogs escaping in the airport complex, over the years. Your dog should be sound and have traveled comfortably, but some dogs are nervous and maybe even aggressive. I would just much rather uncrate an adult dog at home, inside a fenced yard. If it's a pup, you can take it out, but have the leash ready in hand and block the gate with your body when you open that gate. This way it's hard for them to scoot past you.
If the dog does show aggression in the kennel, don't let it bother you unduly. A lot of dogs will do this in a tight space, and when you let them out they tend to relax. A lot of dogs throw a good bluff, too. I call it, "display behavior". I once got a bitch who did a fierce hold and bark at the kennel gate, but would flatten out with her ears back and her eyes wide as soon as I opened the gate. LOL.. It was all a bluff.. But, you never really know. I would rather use a looped rope leash, passed over the head, and some heavy gloves, than to be struggling with a snap on the collar while the dog is pushing to get out. Once you get the leash on the dog, that is normally accepted by the dog as control. Just don't push yourself on the dog too fast, or try to do hard obedience right away.. and be careful with children. It can take around two weeks for a dog to give itself to you.. sometimes longer (much), sometimes less. Two weeks is a good rule of thumb if the dog seems comfortable with you. I don't like to ask a lot of a dog before that. If it's a good dog, they might think, "Who the heck are YOU"?
I would not get myself all worked up over this. I've done it, many times and never needed a customs broker. That is only needed if you plan to use the dog for commercial purposes, or importing for a client.
Los Angeles is generally more difficult about a lot of things, compared to other cities. It shouldn't be like that.. should be the same everywhere. But, it's just a more regulation - intensive environment, here. Everything is by the book, "known shippers" preferred, and stuff like that. So, don't be dismissive about it, either.
Even if your dog did have to be kenneled overnight, it would not be so expensive.. maybe $80, and probably less than the cost of a customs broker. They don't give their stamp of approval for free, you know. This is a service and they have to essentially post a bond, so they are not cheap.
The good news is that if this dog is going to be your personal dog, there is no way you should have to hire the services of a customs broker.
DO be sure to take proper ID, and only the person whose name is on the air waybill can pick up and get the dog signed off. So, don't send a friend or relative, if the dog is coming in YOUR name.
If it is an adult, it's better to bring a pickup truck. That way, you can back right up to the dock and they'll load your crate with a forklift. There have been so many instances of dogs escaping in the airport complex, over the years. Your dog should be sound and have traveled comfortably, but some dogs are nervous and maybe even aggressive. I would just much rather uncrate an adult dog at home, inside a fenced yard. If it's a pup, you can take it out, but have the leash ready in hand and block the gate with your body when you open that gate. This way it's hard for them to scoot past you.
If the dog does show aggression in the kennel, don't let it bother you unduly. A lot of dogs will do this in a tight space, and when you let them out they tend to relax. A lot of dogs throw a good bluff, too. I call it, "display behavior". I once got a bitch who did a fierce hold and bark at the kennel gate, but would flatten out with her ears back and her eyes wide as soon as I opened the gate. LOL.. It was all a bluff.. But, you never really know. I would rather use a looped rope leash, passed over the head, and some heavy gloves, than to be struggling with a snap on the collar while the dog is pushing to get out. Once you get the leash on the dog, that is normally accepted by the dog as control. Just don't push yourself on the dog too fast, or try to do hard obedience right away.. and be careful with children. It can take around two weeks for a dog to give itself to you.. sometimes longer (much), sometimes less. Two weeks is a good rule of thumb if the dog seems comfortable with you. I don't like to ask a lot of a dog before that. If it's a good dog, they might think, "Who the heck are YOU"?
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