I need to come back with a new dog… and trying to plan timing to make sure we have an open office to declare it.
This looks like the most likely border: Detail Rheinfelden-Autobahn
That site seems to suggest it is staffed 24x7 - which isn’t the experience I’ve had crossing borders and declaring goods.
Any suggestions? I’ve emailed them - but had no response…
Do not expect they can handle Veterinary matters 24/7. Assume business hours with a lunch break. Even the airports are difficult outside of business hours.
When I imported my dog last year I found Customs offices that handle dogs by looking for offices that handle commercial traffic but they were only open 7:30 to 12:00
I used Bad Sächingen.
It was quick and easy.
It is all a bit of a mystery as the Customs Office says to only use border crossings authorised to handle dogs but I could not find a list.
Some information you probably already have
That’s exactly what I just did, and was assured that “if they are open 24x7, there is someone there who can process my paperwork for a dog import”.
He then went to check that Rheinfelden is 24x7, and confirmed it.
Of course I have nothing in writing, but something in writing won’t help when I am at a border at midnight with no-one there.
The dog got a rabies vaccine on the 25th March, so my idea is to pick him up on the 14th late evening, and cross the border just after midnight… so that it’s officially the 15th April.
Fingers crossed we don’t end up sleeping at the border!
I probably missed something along the way but why do you have to make the crossing so late? Can’t you go over during “office hours” where you can pretty much rely on someone being there?
I could in theory go a few days after, but I find myself already “in the area” the day before…
So I have 3 options:
1- grab an AirBnB or something nearby and expose a new pup to a new environment for a day/night, then change everything again.
2- Get an airbnb and wait a day near the breeder, and then travel back the day after. This would have been my preferred option, but my other half cannot take that day off… and I would rather not do the drive alone, but have them in the car to cuddle the pup if he gets stressed.
3- Drive back direct, and cross after midnight (so the 21-day timer is “correct”)… this is what seems like the path of least resistance
Just make sure that you cross with a very expensive car, dubious license plates (for example, from a central european country), and carry two cases of expensive wine on the trunk. They will be there. Any time.
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.
I assume in the extreme worst case that the Swiss won’t let you in then the German Customs wouĺd have no reason to block your return to wait until office hours
When we crossed we could park in the neutral zone in the middle in case of unexpected delays.
When I moved to CH, I did so in a UK Registered Ford Probe with a leaky water pump.
I somehow got 2 rolled mattresses, a dismantled bed, and who-remembers what else into that poor car… (rear seats folded down, passenger seat all the way forward).
I rocked up at Basel Zoll around 3am on a Sunday, having driven from the UK… to have the poor guy look at me and ask “did you complete the import documents for this?”. Note, that at this point, while I had rented an apartment, I hadn’t (yet) registered for my B permit…
My response of “what documents?” wasn’t taken kindly, and he was a bit at a loss for words. I suggested I could sleep in the car at customs until they opened at 8am on Monday…
Not sure if it was pity for me, or just not wanting the headache - but I was told “just don’t get stopped before you get to Zurich” and allowed through…
While that was a solution to your problem then it really isn’t an option with animals. The hassle factor of attempting to register a pet post-import is very high and could come with significant penalties.
Have a plan B.
Reminds me
After my divorce I rolled up in a UK registered Porche 924s with the whole car full of stuff in January.
Got stopped by an attractive lady Customs officer who was only interested in selling me a vignette and flirting.
I didn’t mention I was moving here permanently and it was only some years later the local policeman put some pressure on me to make the car legal.
By then I had bought a local registered Mustang so I lent the Porsche to an English guy I knew in France. He rolled it but my English green card insurance paid up and although I had owned it for six years I got just a couple of thousand less than I had paid when I bought it secondhand.
I like your choice of cars 
Based on my experience, I’d recommend:
Option 2, but choose a day when your other half can make the trip with you. I’d guess you are eager to get the pup home as soon as you can - as I too would be - but in the greater scheme of things, waiting a few extra days to ensure smooth passage might be the easiest plan for you and the pup.
Option 1 would be my second choice. I fully understand wanting to avoid putting a young pup through too much change in a short time, but if you brought the pup’s travel crate and toys into your room at the BnB he would have some comforting familiarity. The pup will mostly be focused on you, surroundings less important to him.
Depending on the length of the drive, an overnight stop might even be easier on the pup. Think tiny puppy bladders. 
Honestly, I’d avoid Option 3 if possible. I’ve done a couple transport runs where despite carefully checking in advance a customs point that was supposed to be staffed ended up being closed, or the officer who did animal control wasn’t available. Now, I’m talking about rescue transports, which are subject to greater scrutiny - but experience has led me to only cross during normal business hours.
Whatever you decide to do - hope all goes well at customs, and wishing safe travels to you and the new pup.
And when you are all settled in… pics please!
