Importing a puppy - Page 1

We need some advise on importing a puppy from Germany to the US. We have read some posts from 2011 but nothing more recent. We have read that if the puppy is older than 8 weeks but younger than 12 week, rabies is not needed. Our biggest question is on trying to clear a puppy from customs by ourselves or if an agent is the better way to go. Help!

Call the airport where the pup is arriving. They can advise you. Not all entries are equal.

I imported a female GSD (8 weeks old) from Germany two years ago. I brought her into JFK, NY and breezed through customs. No rabies needed BUT be sure you have all your paperwork in order from your breeder (including the "puppy passport") If you have all the correct documentation then it should be no problem. Keep in mind this was two years ago so things may have changed...

Also verify rules and regs with whatever airline you choose.

Good Luck!

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/55/~/pets---dogs%2C-rabies-vaccines

CBP is a federal agency, airport won't have your answers but they will. If you're importing one dog and it's for personal use, the link above should help. Good luck and congrats!

Customs at the airport where the dog is arriving will tell you if you need a customs broker. For example, Charlotte did not require a broker, Atlanta does. I had to use Atlanta because logistically, Charlotte was not do-able for the last pup I imported late last year.
That's why I said not all ports of entry are equal.

If the airport that your pup first enters in the US is where you are picking him up and there is a Customs office near by then you can do it yourself it is very easy. Go and check with them what they want you to do.

You will need to go to the airport get the pepers from them and then go to the Customs office.

If the pup lands on US soil and then needs to make a connecting flight you will need a broker to clear the pup before the pup can continue on to the connecting flight.

A broker can do all of this while the pup is in flight and that way there should be no delays.

Some of the members here can give you names of brokers to use.
 

http://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html
Germany is considered 'rabies free': http://www.cdc.gov/importation/rabies-free-countries.html

I imported an 8 wk old GSD puppy in 2010. He came from Frankfurt to Philadelphia. I did pay a broker $250 because I had heard horror stories of pups being held up due to papers missing a dotted "I". So it was money well spent. The second wk he was home, I was contacted by the county board of health to get the vets number. Then they called me to check on his puppy shots until that was done. I learned a lot. The Euro was stronger then.

Customs bases their fees on if the pup is for resale or if your considered a breeding kennel, seems like they have an excuse to generate as many fees as they can. I paid 50 direct to customs, I think brokers push for 250 as the other post said if they think they can get it.

Does the final destination state or the point of entry state determine the regulation?

For instance, let's say the dog is shipped from Frankfurt, Germany, to, say, Little Rock, AR. (I don't live there, just using it as an example).
There is one connecting flight, though, say, in Atlanta, GA. So the flight leaves Frankfurt ---> Atlanta ---> Little Rock.
Now, do the Arkansas regulations or Georgian regulations take precedent?