For those of you that import on a regular basis .......... - Page 1

What is your practice for handling paperwork during shipping?  Is it better to attach it to the crate or send it separately via UPS, FedEX, or certified mail?    Any horror stories about losing paperwork off of a crate or dog and paperwork being lost or stolen?

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BROKER TO IMPORT INTO THE USA
THE PAPERWORK IS TAPED - REALLY TAPED TO THE KENNEL
ONLY DIRECT FLIGHTS
VERIFY DOG IS HANDED TO THE AIRPORT WORKERS WITH BORKER AND AIRPORT
BE THERE ON TIME TO PICK YOUR DOG UP

THAT'S IT

Thanks Sitkasmom ................ Have all that .............. was just wondering about original pedigree and reg. docs ............ but I'm going to assume you meant those too .........  :)    Thanks again.

Puppies come with a passport that proves health and vaccinations. Papers usually take months.

The ones I imported I had paperwork faxed to me ahead of time so I at least had copies.  The rest (health records, passport, shippers info) was in an envelope attached to the crate.  The registration papers, show cards, etc. were mailed seperately.

 Schluterton  I sent you a PM

I imported at 3 yo bitch about a month ago. Gradlyn contacted Barthco in the US, Barthco contacted me and gave me the requirement for a customs broker to be used, and they brokered the dog through to me with all of the paperwork attached to the crate. And believe me the paperwork was really attached. The customs broker fee from BARTHCO WAS AN ADDITIONAL $250.00 plus another $35.00 at the cargo center for handling. I was, however, the only one of 4 people receiving dogs from Frankfort that had a customs broker. The rest were booked through by the airline carrier, which I was told was illegal. I still felt like I had been screwed. If the bitch weren't purchased for the right price I would have had heartburn from the deal.

If you check with the airline there is a different requirement for those purchasing a pet than there is for a breeder in the import laws (cheaper fee for that and military personnel). I called the Detroit airport customs, they asked me if it was a pet or for breeding, I told the truth, and the inspector told me that it wouldn't get through without a customs broker, period. Hell, they must believe that we all make money at this. Oh, by the way they can check to see if you are lying about the purpose of the dog. They actually Google you!

So I guess I will have to get one hell of a deal before I import again. God knows what the next fee  the Gov't will think up will be and what the broker fees will jump to once they have us all by the shorthairs.

I brought a dog in about 3 weeks ago via Lufthansa from Frankfurt and it was a piece of cake.  You must call the airlines before the dog is shipped to confirm that you will be available to pick up the dog or they won't ship.  When the plane landed, Lufthansa gave me the paperwork and I drove over to customs and they processed the paperwork in a matter of minutes and then I had to drive back to Lufthansa and pay $30 and that was all there was to it.  I expected some kind of hassle but there was none.  Not sure why anyone needs a broker on an incoming flight.  I did use Gradlyn on the outbound which requires more paperwork processing but as long as you know what kind of paperwork they need and have the proper health certificate it's easy and Gradlyn handled it all. By the way, I'm in the Chicago area.
Judy