IMPORTING *URGENT* - Page 1

Hey all
I am in serious need of some guidance right now. I am not a kennel nor am I a breeder. I am importing an 8 week old puppy and she is scheduled to arrive  from Frankfurt, Port of entry Atlanta, then here to Las Vegas tomorrow.
The problem is that in the flight conformation letter I received, it gave me  an agent (broker) number to call who can do the customs clearance at the port of entry, ATL...
BUT they charge $275 which I do not have, no do I have any credit cards.
So I called a customs agent in Atlanta and she said they will NOT ship the dog on to Las Vegas without me having a broker?!?!?! Has anyone else heard of this? I have imported two other puppies in the past and have always gone through Customs myself. And it was only $35.00 or so.
Is there any way around this? I have been on the phone with different people from the different airports for about 2 hours now and have no idea what to do!
Any advice greatly appreciated
Thanks in Advance
Stacy

Unfortunately the rules for importing dogs into the USA changed earlier this year. 

Many people are travelling out to meet their dogs and then bringing them back in as hand luggage to avoid this problem.

Good luck in sorting things.

Prager knows of someone who may chagre a little less.

OK thanks all for the information SitasMom and Liebe...
I just called the lady back that I spoke to from Customs in ATL and she said that they are NOT going to keep my puppy there and they WILL still ship her to me. This is after she said there is NO WAY that they will ship her without a broker. (The broker  that I spoke with tried to be helpful and told me that if the dog was I.T. -Inbound Transit,  that they do have to ship her here to me 
Anyway the lady from ATL gave me the website to download the forms and said that I can do it myself, just that most people prefer not to do the paperwork! I can't believe she had me in tears earlier telling me they wouldn't ship my puppy, and then changed her story when I called back!
I still have to speak to the people from Customs here in Las Vegas, no one called me back but I did leave a message. I think I will just keep calling until I get ahold of someone, just in case I still in fact do need a broker.
I spoke to a friend who is getting one of my puppy's brothers and he didn't have a problem when he spoke to them (he's  in TX). $35 and he fills out the paperwork himself, just like I did in the past.
Grrrrr... this is damn frustrating. It is going to be a long time before I import another puppy.... I will keep yall posted on what Las Vegas says when I call them. Maybe it will help some one in the future. I am also going to stop saying how easy it is to import a dog too LOL

Thanks again
Stacy

Well done in your persistence.

I hope all goes smoothly from here.

Thank you, me too. Hopefully no one changes their stories tomorrow when she gets here!  It has been a difficult week for me and I could use a quiet week...Well as quiet as it can be with a new puppy :-)

Stacy

Good luck!
Let us know how it goes.

Jen

Hang in there..I get so mad , very easily and I get upset very rapidly when things like this happen...We were told that earlier this year our lovely Airlines, in order , to put money back into their empty pockets,,did change the import proceedures..It has been very confusing....

Most breeders do not need an agent...they are known at the airports.....I guess you just became a BREEDER and didnt know it....lol

fill out the paper and it  is a pet...not to be sold...be sure you tell them   she ,/ he is a pet for your home...they look up your name and if you have ever sold pups or have a listing  come up  you will be charged more......BEWARE  of what you say....just tell them   Your puppy is a FAMILY PET>>>YOU  and your baby   rest up and TAKE A DEEP BREATH>>>>>>>
Keep us informed..

YR

Why does everything we do have to get so complicated and messed UP???????

YR,
Well since I am now a breeder, would you like to be on my waiting list? Hahaha. I now have 3 young German Shepherds with no titles and no hip/elbow certifications, yet. I must be one fine breeder LOL Yes things sure are complicated now. Thank you for the advice and the support.

A few very nice people have emailed or pm'ed me regarding this and I would like to share, and hopefully it can help someone in the future who is trying to import.
My puppy's flight comes in to Vegas at 7:00 pm. Customs closes at 4:00. Obviously if they are closed I cannot bring her home and come back tomorrow. No Customs clearance= No Puppy. They will keep her overnight and charge me $100.
It's still cheaper than a Broker,  but she has had a very long flight and I really don't want her to be in her crate for over 24 hours! She most likely will have gotten airsick and even if not, I can be pretty sure that she will have had an "accident."

On the advice from another member here, I am going to see if I can get a pre entry clearance for her, which will require the breeder to fax over her tattoo and acclimation paper. If this is in the little book, it may not be possible and she will have to stay overnight. Or I may have to use a Broker in ATL if they have changed their minds about the Port of Entry clearance once she gets in. Either way I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks to everyone that has emailed and pm'ed with advice and information. I have really learned a lot about this

Warm Regards,
Stacy