Bringing a cat to the US - customs fees?

[ECCK 211]

Hello. I'm planning to bring my young cat with me to the US when I move and I'm doing some research into what's required. I got a quote from a pet relocation company that's currently quoting me $3000 to move my cat, of which $750 is for 'international customs fees'. From what I understand by looking at the CBP page, there doesn't seem to be any fees associated with importing a pet. Has anyone here brought a cat (or dog) into the US when they moved, and were you charged any fees at customs?

 

Thanks for your help. 

[milimelo 4,463]

Are you sending your cat with a pet shipper? If yes, that’s the cost.
 

Consider bringing your cat as either in-cabin pet (normally under $200 fee) or as accompanied baggage (also around $200 but needs hard sided carrier - drop off is with your regular luggage). No customs fees for these two options. You do need to have a vet certificate saying your cat is healthy to fly and you do have to check in with Aphis folks when you arrive at your POE (they take a look at the cat, barely glance at the papers and send you on your way). 

[ECCK 211]

5 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Are you sending your cat with a pet shipper? If yes, that’s the cost.
 

Consider bringing your cat as either in-cabin pet (normally under $200 fee) or as accompanied baggage (also around $200 but needs hard sided carrier - drop off is with your regular luggage). No customs fees for these two options. You do need to have a vet certificate saying your cat is healthy to fly and you do have to check in with Aphis folks when you arrive at your POE (they take a look at the cat, barely glance at the papers and send you on your way). 

Yes, I got a quote from a pet shipper to get an idea of what was involved. I could account for all the different fees (like the export permit from the Australian government) but I wasn't sure what this international customs fee was. Thanks for helping me clarify it! I plan to travel with my cat, so I might choose the accompanied baggage option then. I have to take a domestic flight once I'm in the US, and I'm hoping I'll be able to take him into the cabin with me for that flight. 

[Boiler 45,230]

I understand that from the UK anyway the cabin option is not available, presumably you are coming in from Australia and there could be numerous issues, I have never done it but have seen plenty of reports from those who have and none have mentioned custom fees. I would start with the web site of the Airline you intend to use.

[ECCK 211]

11 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I understand that from the UK anyway the cabin option is not available, presumably you are coming in from Australia and there could be numerous issues, I have never done it but have seen plenty of reports from those who have and none have mentioned custom fees. I would start with the web site of the Airline you intend to use.

Yes, I'll be flying from Australia and there is no cabin option. I've see a few Aussies and Kiwis move with their pets on this site, but no one has mentioned a 'customs fee'. I was wondering if it's something super obvious that just isn't mentioned, or whether I'm getting scammed. Thanks for your advice - I'll check the airlines for more info. 

[Boiler 45,230]

Look for time of year restrictions, due to heat.

[milimelo 4,463]

Yes, that long distance would probably mean in the hold only. See if you can do accompanied luggage as pet shipper will be $$$. 
We could do in-cabin when we went DC to Addis Ababa (13 hrs direct flight) but I didn’t want an upset cat so she went in the hold - and did great. 
 

Inter-state flights in the US are easy - just call to add the cat to the itinerary and pay the fees ($125 on United the last time we did it). International trips are logistics intensive and nerve wrecking until day of travel (we do that every 2-3 years). And that’s with a cat that doesn’t have flat brachycephalic features. Can’t imagine what it would be with a dog, brachycephalic breeds or banned breeds. 

Edited April 25, 2020 by milimelo
Typo

[millefleur 5,045]

Brought a cat into the US from abroad back in 2018. The hardest part was everything in the country of origin (paperwork stuff) - bringing the cat into the US was a breeze. The CBP office just shined a flashlight on the cat in its carrier (didn't even require the cat to be out of it) and said "looks healthy, good to go" and we handed over the vet document from the country of origin, so very similar to what @milimelo described. There was no mention of any "customs fee" or money at all. Sounds like this pet transport company is just looking to make money.

 

This was the second cat I travelled with in cabin on a plane. First cat was on a shorter flight and actually busted out of the carrier mid-flight and jumped into my lap because he was scared and didn't want to be under the seat. Get a very sturdy carrier! Second cat was a kitten on an overseas flight and was utterly unphased by travel - was totally silent the entire time and not afraid at all being under the seat. Best of luck bringing your cat. I hope the kitty will be ok and not too stressed during the flight.

[ECCK 211]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

Brought a cat into the US from abroad back in 2018. The hardest part was everything in the country of origin (paperwork stuff) - bringing the cat into the US was a breeze. The CBP office just shined a flashlight on the cat in its carrier (didn't even require the cat to be out of it) and said "looks healthy, good to go" and we handed over the vet document from the country of origin, so very similar to what @milimelo described. There was no mention of any "customs fee" or money at all. Sounds like this pet transport company is just looking to make money.

 

This was the second cat I travelled with in cabin on a plane. First cat was on a shorter flight and actually busted out of the carrier mid-flight and jumped into my lap because he was scared and didn't want to be under the seat. Get a very sturdy carrier! Second cat was a kitten on an overseas flight and was utterly unphased by travel - was totally silent the entire time and not afraid at all being under the seat. Best of luck bringing your cat. I hope the kitty will be ok and not too stressed during the flight.

Thank you. It does sound like it’s pretty easy on the US side. I think I might see if I can do it myself because I think there’s something fishy with this quote. I hope my kitten is as chill as yours!! I’ve got some spray that’s supposed to help them relax - hoping that will help them. It is an awfully long flight 

[carmel34 3,607]

9 hours ago, ECCK said:

a pet relocation company that's currently quoting me $3000 to move my cat, of which $750 is for 'international customs fees'.

3 grand is a lot of money to move a cat, be wary of this company.  "International customs fees" sounds like a money grab.  There are much cheaper solutions as others have suggested.  Have required shots like rabies up to date, paperwork current as needed to enter the US.  I have had many cats in my life, and only shipped one with an airline from California to Canada, a relatively short three-hour flight, and it was so traumatizing to the poor thing that I will never do it again unless it can be in the cabin with me.  I can't imagine a cat being in a pet carrier in the cargo hold with luggage for a 13-hour flight from Australia to the US.  I completely understand the personal attachment to a beloved pet, but at the same time, I also think that the animal could be emotionally damaged for life by going through something so scary.  Maybe it depends on your cat, some are more calm and relaxed than others.  If I were in your situation, I would find a very good home for your cat in Australia before leaving, then adopt another cat in the US from a local pet shelter or buy one from a nearby breeder that cares about its animals and is not a kitten mill operation.  Just my two cents based on my experience moving a cat.

[milimelo 4,463]

@carmel34 Rabies shot is only required for dogs, not cats when entering the US. All a cat needs is a vet certificate verifying he/she is healthy. Rabies shot can be done when in your final destination State - need to have a vet there anyways. 
 

Not quite sure where you got that cats don’t travel well. Mine did several trips inside and outside the US (Europe, US, West Africa, US,  Middle East, US, East Africa, US, now in Europe) and 14 years later still doing well - plays and behaves like a young cat. There’s no way I’d leave my cat behind- if my husband and child get to go on my assignments - the cat does too. 

[ECCK 211]

15 hours ago, carmel34 said:

3 grand is a lot of money to move a cat, be wary of this company.  "International customs fees" sounds like a money grab.  There are much cheaper solutions as others have suggested.  Have required shots like rabies up to date, paperwork current as needed to enter the US.  I have had many cats in my life, and only shipped one with an airline from California to Canada, a relatively short three-hour flight, and it was so traumatizing to the poor thing that I will never do it again unless it can be in the cabin with me.  I can't imagine a cat being in a pet carrier in the cargo hold with luggage for a 13-hour flight from Australia to the US.  I completely understand the personal attachment to a beloved pet, but at the same time, I also think that the animal could be emotionally damaged for life by going through something so scary.  Maybe it depends on your cat, some are more calm and relaxed than others.  If I were in your situation, I would find a very good home for your cat in Australia before leaving, then adopt another cat in the US from a local pet shelter or buy one from a nearby breeder that cares about its animals and is not a kitten mill operation.  Just my two cents based on my experience moving a cat.

Thank you for your advice. I know it is a long flight but many Aussies have travelled with their pets for even longer, for example on to Europe. I agree that some pets will be badly suited to air travel depending on their health and temperament, but I've been working closely with my vet who has been aware of my plans and he has given me the thumbs up. If there was any concern at all, I wouldn't be taking him with me and I would leave him with my parents here. 

 

12 hours ago, milimelo said:

@carmel34 Rabies shot is only required for dogs, not cats when entering the US. All a cat needs is a vet certificate verifying he/she is healthy. Rabies shot can be done when in your final destination State - need to have a vet there anyways. 
 

Not quite sure where you got that cats don’t travel well. Mine did several trips inside and outside the US (Europe, US, West Africa, US,  Middle East, US, East Africa, US, now in Europe) and 14 years later still doing well - plays and behaves like a young cat. There’s no way I’d leave my cat behind- if my husband and child get to go on my assignments - the cat does too. 

Thanks again! So are you saying that even if I need to take a domestic flight to reach my final destination, the rabies shot isn't needed until I arrive there? I'm planning to fly into LA but I will be flying onto NY where my fiance lives. Also your cat is so worldly! So much more than me! Sounds like you're and awesome fur parent! 

[milimelo 4,463]

Yes, no rabies shot needed - if the cat had it already in the past year you’re good, if not get it done when at your destination state. 
 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-the-united-states/pet-travel-cats-into-us

[Nitas_man 3,100]

We checked our cat in at the counter and she flew over with us from the mideast wherever they put checked baggage in the plane.

 

We picked her up in a different area of baggage claim, she was smelly and howling.  Customs wanted her outa there and waved us through.  Never a question or a look at any papers or whatever

 

Make sure you meet the airline requirements and whatever country you’re transitioning through.  We flew KLM and they were very helpful in informing us exactly what was needed and required for our flight.

 

Papers fly with the cat, we carried a copy with us as well.

Edited May 3, 2020 by Nitas_man

[Nitas_man 3,100]

On 4/25/2020 at 12:08 AM, ECCK said:

Hello. I'm planning to bring my young cat with me to the US when I move and I'm doing some research into what's required. I got a quote from a pet relocation company that's currently quoting me $3000 to move my cat, of which $750 is for 'international customs fees'. From what I understand by looking at the CBP page, there doesn't seem to be any fees associated with importing a pet. Has anyone here brought a cat (or dog) into the US when they moved, and were you charged any fees at customs?

 

Thanks for your help. 

That’s a ripoff.  There is no customs fee and the “ticket” is $300 or so for the cat to fly with you