Traveling with a pup from Germany to US - Page 1

Hi,

Can anyone share their experiences in bringing in a GS pup, as "extra baggage" into the US from Germany?

What are the requirements, restrictions, airline fee, customs, etc. Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks

Having recently shipped a GSD from England to the US, can I suggest you find a company in Germany that has experience in this field.  They will have up to date knowledge of what is required and what you need to do.  I am aware that some airlines have stopped allowing dogs as excess baggage.

1. Valid International Health Certificate which must be signed by the State Vet in addition to your vet.
2. Current Rabies, which must be verified and signed by the sate vet
3. EU forms that must be signed by both regular and State vet
4. Acclimation statement on the health certificate
5. Some sort of permanent ID (tattoo and/or microchip) is required  
6. Appropriate type/size crate
7. Inside the crate you will want to make it am comfy as possible (considering the long flight) Towels did the trick for my dogs
8. Food/Water dishes attached to the gate

I always go with AA. The fee is just over $100 US.  Before you land in the US, you will be given a customs form where you fill out what you purchased in Germany and how long you were there. Once you get to customs, you have to wait for the "officials" to come and check all of your paperwork and that is the biggest delay, but only around 10-20 min. This price also applies to adults under a total weight of 100 lbs (crate included).  Very simple and smooth. The only other problem I ran into was in the winter when you need to have an acclamation certificate, if you are going back to a city that is under 45 f. Many people in Germany do not know about the need for this so you have to make sure that you have the German vet sign for proof.

Tried Luf , but they only refer you now to Gradlyn and it is a regular shipping charge which is HUGE!!!!!!

Hope that helps some.

Debby

http://castlebrookshepherds.net

Ha, just realized some of my post is missing........... Here is the rest.

Then find out what the fee's are. Either pay by credit card over the phone or include a check. Tell them you are going to fedex, papers, along with payment and will be including another prepaid fed ex for them to send it back directly to you. 

American Airlines is very good about animals. I have shipped and taken them topside, and they are good about making sure things go smooth. 

My husband and I brought three adult GSDs and a 3 month old Boxer puppy (for a friend) over from Dusseldorf, Germany to Alaska last October with Delta.  No health certificate was actually required to leave Germany at that time, but I got one for each dog to satisfy the bureaucrats in the USA just in case they wanted to cause trouble for me.  I also had the rabies vaccination records and health passports.  Be sure to have two cups in the crate and absorbant bedding, newspaper is the best.

 Get there earlier than you otherwise would, as people are often unsure of what to do with a dog .  I think the fee was 200 Euros for each dog.  They  might have gone up since then, even, to cover the increased costs of fuel.  When you go through Customs in the USA with your pup, give your pup some water, it is probably the only water he will get.

Good luck,

Veronica