[Valete]

My question is for those who have actually done it, no need for ultracrepidarian response.
Ten week old puppy coming into lax or SFO final driving destination is Arizona. Rabies free Holland can send to USA no problem, but federal government says no problem, it's the state and idiots at the airport that I worry about.

So who has done it, not for resale not for adoption

 

[Knute]

You need to check the Pet IMPORT laws. Once in the USA, driving will not be restricted. You need to check the Arizona laws about pet import also.

I just relocated from China to USA with my dog. I hired a pet transport company. They are a worldwide organization. IPATA (International Pet & Animal Transport Association). They handled all the Vet exams, microchip, pet carrier, transport from China thru Hong Kong to airport, assisted with check-in. Timing is critical and scheduling is important.

You need to check with the airline about their pet regulations. Most airlines will not allow pets in cabin on international flights, unless you have a true Service Animal. Pups that young may have restrictions about international flights.

Me and my dog had to process through US Customs & Immigration. I had my documents and a stack of documents for my dog. Thanks to IPATA processing thru was without a hitch and only took about 10 minutes for the dog. I spent more time in queue for immigration and an eternity waiting for my luggage to spit out on the baggage carousel.

I saw my dog's crate unloaded from the plane before I was able to deplane. He was already in Oversize Baggage Claim before I processed thru immigration.

My point to all this is to spend the money to hire PROFESSIONAL people to handle the IMPORT of your pet to USA or anywhere. Get you pet's documents in order, essentially the pet's passport. Confirm with the airline about their pet regulations. Confirm with the airline they have space on the flight before you book your ticket.

Many people mistakenly believe they can stick their pet in a small bag and do a carry-on then stuff the pet under the seat. This doesn't apply to pets on international flights. Only SERVICE dogs are allowed in Cabin on international flights. Even those are facing more restrictions.

Oh, one more item......You will likely need a crate to transport the pet. EXCEED the airlines requirements.

 

[RonE]

I had to look up "ultracrepidarian."

 

[Valete]

Thanks. Europe is different than China. I've lived in South East Asia for a very long time. There is a company than is doing everything in Holland, I just want to have zero problems in Los Angeles at pickup as I will already be in the USA then. I have checked with all agencies and know the regulations, I just want someone who went through it recently from Europe to tell me how it went. BTW how much did you spend from China to the USA on getting the dog in?

 

[Knute]

Yes, Europe is different than China. But the USA IMPORT regulations for pets apply to both.

Airline requirements are specific to that particular airline.

My costs for the IPATA assistance was about $1800 USD. His cost for freight was just short of $400 USD. My dog's cost to fly and import to USA was roughly 1/2 of my plane ticket.

I picked up his crate at Oversize Baggage, waited for my luggage, called the Customs & Immigration Agent, presented the dog and his paperwork with my Passport. The agent cleared us in less than 10 minutes. I landed in Chicago at O'Hare. I had all the dog documents in my carry-on.

Can the company doing the work in Holland meet the dog and handle the Customs & Immigration dance? Then you could meet the company rep and dog outside of Customs & Immigration.

 

[Valete]

It's vastly different from Europe. The flying over, the microchip, the crib, which isn't needed in California has all been done.
Los Angeles is different than Chicago or San Francisco or Houston.
BTW generally flying from China to the USA is about a thousand USA, Who did you fly? I by pass China and their airlines. Japan Air or Korean Air are so much better.

 

[Knute]

Cathay Pacific. None of the China based had pet cargo areas, only other option was Untied.

Won't fly Untied anymore. Too many bad experiences. Plus CP is only about $200 more. In a 14+ hour flight...…$200 is nothing.

BTW, its been a while since you flew out of HKIA. Prices are up.

 

[Valete]

No not really, I can fly from Thailand using China or China East round trip to the USA for less than 1k, but I won't. As I said I use either Korean or Japan airlines, Japan is a little better. I have heard both take dogs, but I haven't found out how much or the difficulty. Back to your stack of papers, how old was your dog? You had the microchip, bill of health and rabies papers?

 

[Knute]

Yes. All his papers. China Govt Vet Health check, Hong Kong Quarantine papers, Screw worm check, rabies plus proof of the other core vaccines, microchip. His crate was sealed after Hong Kong Quarantine with official zip tie type seals.

My dog is a 3 year old mini-schnauzer. I put him in a 31 inch long crate. It is oversized for him. But the flight is so long. He was in the crate for almost 22 hours.

I had 4 holidays in Thailand......OMG what a beautiful country and amazing people. I'd love to live there...….but that is not in my card deck.

 

[Valete]

Yes, this is why I worry to take a dog from Thailand to the USA. It's more work and so long to be in crate. Yes now, of course, cannot go to Hong Kong or China, but more problems with Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore for connecting with dogs. I try to help a dog adoption rescue in Thailand to bring them to the USA. They have a lot of work.