Importing - Page 1

Can some one explain what paperwork is needed to import a 3 month old pup from Germany to the US?

Particularly related to vaccines/customs/import papers-what exactly do I need to do on this end?.

Thanks for the info.

What is needed is your checkbook.!  After you wire the money you will get a day of delivery.  Also keep your cell phone on as you may get a call from the freight co.   And a ride to the airport to pick up your pup.   Easy process.  Done it many times.  Good luck with your pup.  Oh, maybe take some time getting your pink papers so do not worry.  Thanks

Depending on airport you may have to clear thru customs, you piick up the paper work when he gets in and you take to customs and they stamp it , then you take them back for release. They will ask of it is your personal pup>YES and amount paid. Bring water and leash, you may want to give some water and potty him before you load him up for the ride home. Just in case, I also bring along some "wet ones" for quick doggie baths, paper towel with spray bottle with water in case you have to clean out the crate (very rare but it happens). I wait to feed at home, so they do not get car sick. Becareful when opening the crate, get ready to block and leash up fast, some of them will break for it. If you are picking up after hours or weekends they have custom services you can hire that clear the  papers, additional cost. I would call the airline and ask what they are going to need to release the pup. I had on one time customs closed and would not clear him for release, so he had to stay at a kennel overnight, untiI could straigthen it out in the AM. They charge for the overnight visit, not cheap either. It is so fun picking them up, better than Xmas......I love going

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND BARTHCO INTERNATIONAL  email : M.andrel@barthco.com for customs clearance. Mike and staff are super on details and it is worth their fee for all their knowledge and  to handle this for you. This way all you do is show up at the airline and sign as the receiver, and you are on your way. The dog is already cleared and it  takes 100% of the potential hassle out of the paperwork. If you choose to do this your self and the flight gets delayed , customs is closed, your pup stays overnight. If it on the week end and customs is not open then your dog stays until they open and you get charged and have to come back.

dap,

Not very hard at all.  What 1doggie2 said is very true. Make sure you bring a copy or print of the e-mail. This will work as the bill of sale and also make sure it has the flight details on it. Bring photo ID with you as well. I picked up pups over the weekend before. I had to take the paperwork with me, have them sign it, then take it back to the cargo area. The last time they charged me 35 dollars at customs. This was about 4 months ago.

Kind regards,

John Kennedy

The puppy I want to bring to the US from Germany is 3 mos old.I have learned so far that a puppy up to 12 weeks old only needs a vet certificate.A puppy over 4 mos must have a rabies vaccine.

What is needed for the puppy 12-16 wks old as far as immunizations/import papers?

Thanks

Your importer should have handled all that and have the vaccination info put in your puppy's passport. Usually with this passport will come info from the breeder confirming the puppy's name, DOB, breeder's name, tattoo # for pup, etc. Lots of paperwork, but your breeder, if you're purchasing from someone who's done this before, shouldn't be a problem/issue. Custom's told me pups from Germany always have the proper paperwork done and lined out properly. Your official registration papers often follow later from the breeder via certified mail, but may be present at pick-up taped onto the crate.

One thing is, if custom's officer at the airport area where you're planning on picking up your puppy asks you if you are a breeder or buying the dog/pup for resale or eventual breeding, they may push you to pay a broker to bring your dog in, which can cost you a pretty penny extra that you hadn't originally intended (its a dirty system the way most do it; and if they decide to get 'mean' with you, well, you're stuck to deal with it-never underestimate the Customs officer!!!). If you tell them you're not a breeder and they go Google your name and find you associated with a breeder or breedING, they will put you thru hell.

The first pup we ever imported, all went smooth-never was asked about breeding, etc-nothing. That pup was in a tragic accident and DIED 2 wks later. Our family was grief-stricken to say the least.

We made arrangements roughly 6 mos later, and imported a full brother to the first male we lost from the same breeder-clearly a replacement (we paid for 2nd one full price also) for the one we lost. This 2nd  time, different Customs guy, and he was dead set convinced in his own mind that we had bought this 9wk old male for RESELLING and demanded we pay a broker. We tried to explain to him the dog was to replace the 1st one that died tragically, but he did NOT wanna give us our puppy. He accused me of lying to him because the pup waould be for sale (clearly I told the truth that he wasn't for resale-he's 14 mos old now, and right here in our living room floor with our two kids who adore him!) We'd driven 2 hrs one-way to the airport to get our puppy and was being told to go home and come back the next morning to get our puppy. We were mortified. But then he looked at our 2 kids, who were both white-faced, scared and shocked at the ordeal the Customs officer put us thru, and signed off on our papers so we could get our pup that evening. He shook his head at us all the time he was doing it, too-he was still convinced the dog was to resell.
We went back to the Cargo area for Delta, and when they saw us, they began to ask us if we were ok-my face clearly showed my distress of the ordeal. My husband explained the situation, showed them our signed papers, and one of their guys personally went and got the crate for our puppy and brought him to us right there. The tears turned to happiness as theis gorgeous, massive brute of a blk/red puppy came out of that small crate and lapped at our faces. He was awesome-MORE than worth our troubles!

SO BEWARE OF THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS!

also, the person on the paper work has to pick up, do not subsitute... You also may have to sign papers if young pup that you agree to quarinteen (sp) the pup and they have a right to check on this and they will come out at the end and sign off.

What is needed is your checkbook.

LOL

Thank you,everyone.