Challenges bringing pets to the USA
Mar 9th 2021, 1:32 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 197
Challenges bringing pets to the USA
The other week my wife flew back to the USA with our pets. We used Petair UK and paid for the Gold service. This was our second time bringing in pets.
Had a call with BA cargo and went through the routine. Go to cargo, pick up paperwork, take to customs and then come back to cargo with the customs release.
When we arrived at JFK it was all going good until we got to customs. Customs officer asked if all pets had been in the USA before and if so did we have proof.
The dog hadnt. Got told we needed to get a customs broker to clear the dog. Well at 9pm at night this was a shock. Frantic calls, some bad driving on my part around JFK and $400 later we got them cleared.
Just got to cargo as they wanted to close and saved the pets from a night in kennels.
I have let Petair know, but no response. If we had known in advance i'm sure it would of been $150 charge and it would of been smooth. A slightly stressful evening, but at least the roads back from JFK were quiet we were that late.
Had a call with BA cargo and went through the routine. Go to cargo, pick up paperwork, take to customs and then come back to cargo with the customs release.
When we arrived at JFK it was all going good until we got to customs. Customs officer asked if all pets had been in the USA before and if so did we have proof.
The dog hadnt. Got told we needed to get a customs broker to clear the dog. Well at 9pm at night this was a shock. Frantic calls, some bad driving on my part around JFK and $400 later we got them cleared.
Just got to cargo as they wanted to close and saved the pets from a night in kennels.
I have let Petair know, but no response. If we had known in advance i'm sure it would of been $150 charge and it would of been smooth. A slightly stressful evening, but at least the roads back from JFK were quiet we were that late.
Mar 9th 2021, 2:17 pm
#2
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 470
Re: Challenges bringing pets to the USA
The other week my wife flew back to the USA with our pets. We used Petair UK and paid for the Gold service. This was our second time bringing in pets.
Had a call with BA cargo and went through the routine. Go to cargo, pick up paperwork, take to customs and then come back to cargo with the customs release.
When we arrived at JFK it was all going good until we got to customs. Customs officer asked if all pets had been in the USA before and if so did we have proof.
The dog hadnt. Got told we needed to get a customs broker to clear the dog. Well at 9pm at night this was a shock. Frantic calls, some bad driving on my part around JFK and $400 later we got them cleared.
Just got to cargo as they wanted to close and saved the pets from a night in kennels.
I have let Petair know, but no response. If we had known in advance i'm sure it would of been $150 charge and it would of been smooth. A slightly stressful evening, but at least the roads back from JFK were quiet we were that late.
Had a call with BA cargo and went through the routine. Go to cargo, pick up paperwork, take to customs and then come back to cargo with the customs release.
When we arrived at JFK it was all going good until we got to customs. Customs officer asked if all pets had been in the USA before and if so did we have proof.
The dog hadnt. Got told we needed to get a customs broker to clear the dog. Well at 9pm at night this was a shock. Frantic calls, some bad driving on my part around JFK and $400 later we got them cleared.
Just got to cargo as they wanted to close and saved the pets from a night in kennels.
I have let Petair know, but no response. If we had known in advance i'm sure it would of been $150 charge and it would of been smooth. A slightly stressful evening, but at least the roads back from JFK were quiet we were that late.
Mar 9th 2021, 3:04 pm
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 197
Re: Challenges bringing pets to the USA
Apparently its fairly recent thing. We had no issues the last time. EWR not an option this time as Virgin not flying pets.
If you use a customs brokers you can even get round the physical visit to customs.
If you use a customs brokers you can even get round the physical visit to customs.
Mar 9th 2021, 5:35 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 45
Re: Challenges bringing pets to the USA
Posted in another thread in response to your advice re cargo and issues there.
this is what I have received from Pet Air when I asked for a quote to transport my dog to JFK ( he will be flying in cabin after all):
[QUOTE][It is highly recommended to use a broker on arrival into JFK for your pets, if you are not a returning US National then it is compulsory, we can arrange this for you with a Broker team, the additional cost fo this will be £160. If your pet is under six months old or changing ownership then please contact us for further advice. /QUOTE]
this is what I have received from Pet Air when I asked for a quote to transport my dog to JFK ( he will be flying in cabin after all):
[QUOTE][It is highly recommended to use a broker on arrival into JFK for your pets, if you are not a returning US National then it is compulsory, we can arrange this for you with a Broker team, the additional cost fo this will be £160. If your pet is under six months old or changing ownership then please contact us for further advice. /QUOTE]
