Hi all - Returning to CH after 2.5 years in UK. Looking forward to it but this time we are moving back with a 1 year old UK dog (our old boy with a Swiss pet passport sadly passed while we were in the UK).
So now we need to import our new dog in. He has his rabies vaccine (more than 21 days before departure) and microchip already and we have scheduled his Animal Health certificate exam for less than 10 days before departure. I’ve done my homework and I know we need to import him properly upon entry and register him with a Vet upon arrival.
My worry is the best way to get him to CH. We originally planned to fly- he will need to go in cargo as he is 12 kg and too large for airplane cabin travel. Two questions:
- Has anyone imported a dog on their own via plane from the UK post Brexit? Or is it necessary to hire a pet relocation company? We have done this for all our other moves but by now we have spent over 10k with these companies including Ace Pet so was hoping to avoid this time if it is easy enough.
Also, with the madness at the airports/with airlines these days, I am slightly worried about the chaos and how this might impact a smooth trip for our dog. We contemplated driving but we will have turned in our leased car by then and one way car rental seems impossible between UK and CH. Train travel is complicated as you can’t take the Eurostar or the Tunnel easily with a dog and with all of the luggage I don’t think we can make it work to switch trains tons to work around Eurostar.
If anyone has done the import successfully from the UK recently without using a pet relo service I’d love to hear how it went.
Thanks all and looking forward to be back in CH soon!
Why fly from the UK? So much easier with a dog by car, using the Tunnel so the dog can remain in the car with you.
If you do not have a car, or don't want to import your UK car- perhaps find a friend who would do the journey with you and the dog, and pay for their costs?
Thanks JackieH - Yes I wish a car was easy as this was our original hope. Our UK car will need to be turned in by then. There are three of us and a dog and luggage making a friend driving us (24 hours round trip!) not really super easy unfortunately despite trying to find a solution. I was really hoping to rent a one way rental car but again it’s not that simple crossing in/out of EU. Can’t find any rental car companies willing to allow it especially in peak summer travel season.
Not sure from where in UK you are starting, best option for me (never had a car available) was the boat from Harwich to Hoek von Holland, train to Schipol then flight from there. Import will occur at a CH airport, customs staffed all hours when flights arriving.
I used to work in aviation and I’d never put my dog in the hold. Also with all the problems at U.K. airports right now, it’s too much of a risk.
When we moved back to Switzerland, we hired a van, drove here and unloaded, then after some rest drove it back to Gatwick, then flew back again. Pain in the arse, but was the best solution.
I arrived in Switzerland this time last year with my little dog Zola. We flew from Glasgow to Basel via Amsterdam, and I arranged everything myself.
It sounds to me like you're very organised - the rabies shot, the microchip, and the AHC are all you need. The important things to note are:
* on arrival in Switzerland, you MUST declare your dog to customs. I didn't do this, and it was a very stressful situation. This means that whatever flight you're on, it must arrive when the customs post is open. It is your responsibility to ensure that customs are available when you arrive . Check which airport you're landing in, and what day/time you'll land.
* Within 10 days of arrival, you must take your dog to a vet to be registered in the AMICUS database (the national database where they take details of the microchip)
I know airports are a bit crazy right now, certainly a lot more than they were last year. I had no choice but to fly, and to make matters worse we had a layover. It was very stressful for both myself and Zola - I got a herbal calming remedy from my vet and started dosing Zola with that about 5 days before the flight. I don't know if it was beneficial to be honest, but it's a chance I felt was worth taking. But, she seems to have put it behind her and now we're settled in, so if you have no choice, don't feel bad about the inability to train / drive. You'll get through it.
Best of luck. Feel free to ask any questions
When we moved to CH from the US 4 years ago, we used these folks:
https://www.movinganimals.com/home-en
Your circumstances may be different, but they are likely worth talking to.
I feel your pain, and yet I'd find a way to drive over. Perhaps rent a SUV/van suitable for all- drive over via Tunnel (so dog and all family can stay together), with a friend. Then one of you drives back with friend after a couple of days rest, to return vehicle and flies back to CH.
Eurostar to Paris, 2 hours to change stations in Paris, TGV to Zurich
Not really suitable with 3 people, enough luggage and stuff for a move, and a dog - really!
I love that train journey, much better than flying in most cases... but not as above!
Thanks all. Have used Moving Animals twice before (once in and out of Ch) when they were called Ace Pet. Will call them now and see what they say. @JackieH I really hear you - haven’t found a way to drive but still exploring. Thanks all!
Hope it all works out. Please come back and tell us how you got on. Travel safe and welcome.
Hi OP,
I've not flown from the UK but from Japan and I believe the process would be similar as it is considered a non-EU country. Did everything myself and it was clear and easy. I almost have a feeling customs etc is easier at the airport than by driving into CH.
I have flown my dogs in the hold twice- because it was on SQ and in-cabin is not allowed and both times, my dog was totally fine. You have to make sure your dog is used to- and comfortable in the crate before flying. Line it with dog pee pads, and attach a bottle of water (similar to what hamsters use but much bigger). Your flight from the UK is short, so I honestly wouldn't worry. My dogs have done 7-8 hour flights + the time before and after, at least 10 hours in the crate but all went fine.
Heard today that an acquaintance who recently flew out of the UK during this chaos had a mishap - the dog, flying cargo, was not loaded on the plane.
Thankfully the dog is OK, family nearby were able to pick up the dog to care for him while the owner flew back.
Owner and dog drove back to Switzerland.
Alls well that ends well - but it could have gone the other way.
Honestly, were it me I would do everything possible to drive, damn the expense. If driving truly is impossible, engage a service like Moving Animals so that a professional has your back.. Given what is being reported as system breakdowns at UK airports, I would simply be uneasy with the additional risks during this period of chaos.
This, 1000%- especially now with so many flights cancelled from UK.
Update - Yes we have decided to pay for the a pet relo company for exactly this reason. We just were not able to find any way to drive and we are terrified of the flight chaos. We also specifically have requested to have our dog take Swiss Air (for a higher fee but I hope worth it) rather than BA - they are all having chaos at the moment but BA seems to have a higher share of it!
Do update us as it goes.
Just wondering, why are they flying the dog over- most relocation agents will drive for such short distances.
I would check who handles Swiss from the airport your dog would be flying from. Swissport are causing the most problems at airports. BA are definitely not handled by Swissport, Swiss however could well be.
Hope all goes well with your dog's trip...
Just be sure to speak with the shipper specifically about the current chaotic situation at UK airports, ask how they will track and monitor your pup to ensure his safety at every step of the journey, ask what their response capability is should a problem arise, and ask what contingency plans are in place given system breakdowns.
Wishing your pup safe travels!
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ETA, as I am paranoid about flying my dogs. (Dog flight mishap, BTDT, years ago.) So a question for those more technically astute than I am:
I've seen GSP trackers and airtags for dogs, purportedly to help track them if lost. What kind of range do these things have? If you put an airtag on your dog's collar and/or crate, could you track your dog's progress through the airport yourself?
I have a Pawfit tracker, unlimited range as long as it has a phone signal, but battery will only last a couple of days. Apple Airtags are only within Bluetooth range and rely on other peoples iPhones picking up the signal.