There are strict guidelines which should be adopted
Reader Question: My household and I are transferring to France from the US and we might want to deliver our pets with us. What is the method?
The very first thing to level out is that solely sure animals class as ‘pets’ for this query, and there’s a restrict on the variety of animals that may be introduced into the EU on a non-commercial foundation.
The animals classed as basic ‘pets’ for customs functions are dogs, cats, and ferrets – those who have to be recognized on the I-CAD pet database in France.
Read extra: What is I-CAD? France’s pet database defined
Other animals together with rabbits, tropical fish, and birds for instance have a lot stricter guidelines.
In addition, solely 5 animals could be introduced over as pets at a time, earlier than customs officers class it as a business operation and completely different guidelines come into drive.
Not all entry factors have employees able to authorising an animal’s entry into the nation, that means it’s possible you’ll have to take a unique route than initially deliberate.
You can discover the listing of authorized entry factors here.
All pets should be microchipped to enter France, nevertheless for animals with an figuring out ‘tattoo’ from previous to July 3 2011, the tattoo alone will suffice.
Health paperwork are important
The most necessary factor is to make sure your pets have the right vaccinations to enter the EU.
This features a legitimate rabies vaccination, or if the animal has been re-vaccinated/vaccinated for the primary time, a 21-day hole between the vaccination and travelling.
Animals should have been microchipped earlier than receiving a rabies vaccination, if not they should be re-vaccinated earlier than travelling.
Read extra: Puppy illegally imported to France discovered to have rabies
Your vet again within the United States ought to present a legitimate well being certificates, confirming the rabies vaccination in addition to different well being details about the animal.
They will in all probability know what the certificates ought to embrace, nevertheless an instance could be present in Annex IV (web page 34 onwards) of the EU’s laws on pet journey here.
The paperwork have to be authorised by the USDA earlier than journey could be made – this should be accomplished inside 10 days of the pet’s arrival within the EU.
You can discover PDF variations of all the required paperwork on the USDA web site here.
Does my animal want an EU pet passport to come back from the USA to France?
Animals travelling between EU nations require a ‘pet passport’, accomplished by an official vet from any member state.
Pets getting into the EU don’t want such a passport, nevertheless it may be useful to get this to your pet after your arrival.
In addition to permitting you to journey throughout the EU together with your pet, it can be used every time you re-enter the bloc together with your pet, as an alternative of getting to acquire one other well being certificates for the animal, because it comprises all of the well being data required.
Note that you need to solely get hold of this as soon as within the EU, and that solely an ‘authorised’ EU vet can full sure sections, together with the knowledge referring to the pet’s rabies vaccination.
US vets can not fill on this part, or the passport turns into ineligible.
Check the airline coverage
Even in case your animal fulfils all the necessities to enter the EU, the airline you might be flying with could have its personal guidelines.
These can embrace whether or not pets are transported within the maintain or could be taken straight with you, and whether or not pets should take tranquilising medicine first.
Most airways will settle for you bringing your pet however you’ll have to inform them prematurely.
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