importing from Britain to Belgium

[sian]

I know that this is a very silly question, but it's something that I haven't had to consider before... The only dog I've brought over had her own pet passport before we moved out to Belgium.

There is a slight possibility that I might be bringing a young dog (over 6 months) from the UK to Belgium. I don't think that she has had a rabies jab yet. I know there are no physical checks, so she wouldn't be held at any border, but are there any legal considerations? Does she need vet papers to confirm good health, etc?

Obviously, she would be going straight to my local vet, and we'd start the process of getting her her own pet passport, so that she can travel as freely as Cassie. Are there any time restrictions as to how soon we have to do this? (Like the 5 days we humans have to register in?!) ;D

thanks for any help you can give!

Sian

[marjolein]

She needs her rabies jab and that jab has to be at least 21 days old. I think that's it.

[Alkemist]

Duncan always uses Eurotunnel and has never had any checks done out of the UK, only ever on entry back into the UK. He's never been checked at European borders either. But as we have never used Ferries for transporting Anya, we can't say how strict they are there. or what they do.

I know that doesn't really tell you what you should have done...


Nina

[sian]

well, we haven't done anything yet...!

But with a rabies jab needed 21 days before travel, the chances of us re-homing the little rescue puppy are lessened, I fear.
I know that there are no actual checks on entering France, and no border control to Belgium. But I do like to do things "properly".

Ah well! What will be, will be!

[tasha]

might be worth asking the powers that be themselves what the rules are, I know that to import a dog into the uk requires alot of checks but to export I'm not so sure. with the pet passport once the jabs and everything are done we can leave straight away but would have to wait six months to return. Do you still need to have conformation that the rabies jab has taken?

[sian]

Thanks for your input, folks.

Well, it looks as if I won't be the "forever home" for this 7-month old puppy. Poor little thing... so long as someone is prepared to give her the love that she needs.

My husband of course is telling me that I should have just brought her over here, and worried about the passport from here. He always says that I worry too much about rules - after all it would have been from one Rabies-free country to another... But I do like to do things properly!

I'm just waiting to hear that she's settled in a new home, and things are getting better for her. After all, she could have been getting her paws under our table as of next weekend...! Cassie will have to be a bit more patient about getting someone to play with!

[marjolein]

What a shame it didn't work out Sian! I do agree with you though about the vaccination rules. I wouldn't have taken the risk either.

[kags]

Sian for future reference, check with DEFRA as to the guidelines of importing a dog from the UK. I did this when I came here. I am sure that rules will not be as complicated or buerocratic as here but then in Saudi they are all jobsworths.

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/contacts/index.htm

Once I found out what the score was re exporting Eric to here, I looked for a company that would complete the paperwork and do everything for me. I can't fault them they were fantastic. All I had to do was show up for health checks(think they are unique to here), get his shots and take him on day of flight as I didn't want to kennel him cos he is mardy not cos kennels were bad.

airpets.com/

[sian]

Thanks Kags!

Well, I don't think I'll be looking for a 3rd dog anytime soon - these two are more than managing to keep me on my toes!! ;D

The rules to import into European countries keep changing.... To the point that when I went to get Izzy's rabies jab done, and mentioned that we were going to Holland just over 3 weeks later, the vet said that she wouldn't be "legal". So since she last looked, the rules had changed from 4 weeks to 3 weeks!

Still haven't heard how the LH got on though - it would have been nice if the new owners had joined one of the forums... ;D

[tasha]

how come she wouldn't be legal?? The rules do get confusing, my vet has given me injections that last for three years but did warn me that some countries will ask me to have an injection done again even though its within the right period for the jab but will be over the year, he was very specific DO NOT LET THEM GIVE YOU ANOTHER INJECTION!

I'm trying to sort out going to holland and to germany then back to the uk but I have to say I want to prepare for the worse just in case I get lost.

[sian]

If you're ok to go back into the UK, Tasha, you'll be fine going into any of the European countries. As far as I know, as of September 2006, all the European countries accepted the 3 year rule between jabs. Previously, it was one year, 2 years or 3 years, depending on the country... (I'm sure Mar will correct me, if I've got this wrong!! )

To cross into a different country, you obviously need to abide by their rules (even if they are not allowed to check on the borders, as with the Shengen sp? states). So all dogs travelling into Holland and Belgium need to have had a Rabies injection at least 21 days before (so that it has had time to work). Of course, Cassie was fine, but the little puppy....

Well the timing was tight, as I had to wait until after her initial jabs, before giving her the Rabies jab...
We knew that there would be a vet doing "spot checks" on dogs entering the show, so her papers had to be in order.
lol - of course, one hour into the journey, I realised that of the 4 of us in the car, I was the only one without papers! I had my Belgian id card, but not my passport!!

[marjolein]

Not sure about every Europe country, but I know for sure that Holland, Belgium and Germany accept the three yearly jab.

[tasha]

brilliant, so in effect all I'd need would be the normal passport which is now all up to date, would I need to do the tick and flea thing? or is that just on re-entry back into the UK?

Good thing you said about your passport Sian, I'd forgotten all about that...!! Have started to pack gear I want to take with me, loads of books and things, her training gear and am packing a tent and sleeping bag for just in case. My mum will do my clothes otherwise I'll pack to much. Best be prepared in advance

[greyghost]

When are you planning to go Tasha - nothing like being prepared LOL.

[sian]

You only need to do the tick and flea treatment coming back into the UK (between 24-48 hours before "check-in" - but I'm sure you already know that). One thing, in case you were worrying. We've checked in about 46 hours after treatment, to have our sailing delayed by 3 hours. Even though this means that the treatment is more than 48 hours before departure, this was not a problem...

So - the big question remains - when and where, Tasha?

[tasha]

well am waiting for mar to let me know when something interesting is on but within the next month, will do a dummy run and then make second trip in september

Its so exciting my friend Anna has moved out there, Mar lives not far from her so at least I will know someone if I get lost to call haha! I figured out I can go for weeks if I get lost on one of the roads... will have to make sure I'm not having one of my blonde moments haha!

The tickets are already booked and paid for as is the ferry trip so just need to let them know the dates and find somewhere to stay thats dog friendly

[marjolein]

There is a HZP in Germany on the 18th of August. My rescue dog, the man-eating LH is entered there and I might go there to see how he does now.
There is also the natural ability test fieldwork in Holland, held on the 11th of August. Billy is entered and I might get other pups of Daan to enter as well.