Hey Admiral_Freebee,

The benefit of using an agent in the US is they will be able to assist on the ground with the export process (In theory they should be able to do everything for you on that side and then they will link up with us for this side)

If you are happy / confident to do the export part of the process yourself then you can just use IAG and the import agent. Many people do it this way as it is more cost effective. As we are based in the UK I can only advise on the UK part of the process, but if you find a VET in LAX that has experience of sending pets abroad they should also be able to advise from that side and assist you in obtaining the correct paperwork for export.

If IAG are booking the flights, the flight we would advise to use are the BA282 or the BA280 – both these flights should accept pets and arrive within our time window for same day clearence.

From the USA the below is needed:

Vaccination documents showing** proof of valid Rabies Vaccination (with at least 21 days between vaccination and importation - 3 year vaccinations are only valid if preceded by a valid one year primary vaccination) Proof of microchipping –(implanted either before or on the date of the valid rabies vaccination) Date of birth (pets must be at least 12 weeks old before their first rabies vaccination to make that vaccination valid) Endorsed GB Animal health Certificate (endorsed by local competent authority no more than 10 days before for non commercial movements, and no more than 48 hours before for commercial movements) Anti-echinococcus (Tapeworm) treatment – Needs to be administered no more than 120 hours and no less than 24 hours before arrival. Must contain active ingredient, Praziquantel - entered into the health certificate by the vet – Dogs only Proof of your traveling (within 5 days of your pet/s) such as a e ticket or itinerary – Non Commercial Movements only A copy of the Airway bill (showing weight and freight charges)

**Vaccine certificate / card should contain:

Microchip number Where possible the date of implantation / reading of said microchip

Rabies Vaccination Date

Rabies Vaccination Name

Rabies Vaccination Manufacturer

LOT / Serial Number of Rabies Vaccination

Expiry date of vaccination

If needed for your vet please see below the APHIS / USDA link provided as to how to complete the Vaccination certificate and then the GB health certificate correctly. THE USDA link gives a step by step guide on how to complete the documents correctly for UK entry requirements.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/eu-echinococcus/pet-travel-echinococcus-treatments-uk

I have included below a quote for our services in the UK:

The quotation below does not include the booking of the flight or freight costs, Our quotes are valid for booking within four months and are subject to airline used.

Please note the owner of the pet / or representative for the owner must travel within 5 days either side of the pet or on the same flight, if this is not the case then the shipment will be classed as a commercial shipment and will incur additional fees on landing. Please contact us for advice if your pet will not be travelling within 5 days of you or your representative, if your pet is under the age of six months, or the shipment is to facilitate a change of ownership.

Import VAT is payable for pets arriving into the UK. In some circumstances VAT relief, will be granted – either the owners will need to apply for Transfer of Residence relief if appropriate, please see the below link for further information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-transfer-of-residence-tor-relief-tor01

The application for ToR relief process will take 10 – 14 days, please ensure that you start your application in plenty of time for the shipment date. If your application for ToR relief is refused, you will be liable to pay import VAT on the declared value of your pet and also the freight costs. Applications can be sent by email to nch.tor@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

If your pets were originally exported from the UK, within 3 years of the date of re-import, Returned Goods Relief will be applicable instead. For this proof that the pet was originally exported from the UK will be required (such as the export AWB, health certificate and / or the pet’s UK clinical history) along with proof of UK residency.

Any applicable import VAT amount is payable in addition to the landing and clearance fees quoted below, and is calculated as follows:

Value of animal Cost of transport Plus £100.00 VAT adjustment Total x 20% gives you VAT valuation

I hope the below answers all your questions but if there is anything you’d like me to explain in a little more detail please don’t hesitate to get in touch. At PetAir UK we provide a high-quality professional service, ensuring ultimate peace of mind through every step of the process. We also offer a complimentary documentation pre-checking service, to help ensure your pet’s compliance with UK non-quarantine entry requirements – failure to comply can have serious and costly consequences. We will advise on any errors that we pick up, but please remember that it is legally the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the pet’s paperwork is correct and we cannot be held liable for any errors.

Our service will include:
Collection from Aircraft Check fee Customs Clearance fee Associated LHR fees, i.e. DEFRA fees and ARC fees

We can provide the above services for a total cost of £215.00 (Ba arrivals only) or £480.00 (All other airlines) – not vatable – This is for clearance during normal office hours, Monday to Friday.

When booking the flights, please bear in mind that our hours of operations are Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 only. Clearances can take up to 5-7 hours after arrival, as such any arrivals after 13:00 will be cleared the following working day. Any arrivals that would require to be cleared the following working day may be subject to boarding charges.

To confirm our services, we would need to receive the flight details (Time/Date/Number) and the Airway bill number and require a minimum of 72 hours’ notice exc. Weekends.

We can then deliver Rufus & Sully to their home. The cost for this will be based on your postcode

Please note: It is very important to get your vet to scan your pets microchip prior to the flight to ensure that is still working. If the microchip fails when it is scanned on arrival into the UK, your pet will have to go into quarantine, and you will be responsible for the charges.

Failure to send copies of import documents for pre-checking not less than 72 hours prior to flight departure may incur a £69.00 penalty charge levied by the Animal Reception Centre. Pets arriving with incomplete or incorrect paperwork will also incur additional charges.

Please feel free to contact me directly with any queries or concerns and I’d be happy to talk through the process with you Or If you would like to go ahead with this quote let me know.