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What are the rules for taking dogs back and forth from the US to CR – assuming we would want to go back and forth one or two times a year?
Thank You
Somewhere down on this list is the topic “Dogs In and Out of Costa Rica” — it details how we did it and what was required, or NOT required. In short, you need a current rabies vaccination and health certificate signed by your vet and notarized by the USDA to get your dog out of the country. You do NOT need paperwork endorsed by the CR consulate (contrary to popular belief). You also do NOT need an Import certificate, nor do you need to pay to have a vet meet you at your arrival in customs in CR. Bringing your dog back into the States requires the rabies vaccination paperwork, and that’s all. Not one person at the airlines going to or coming from CR asked to see our paperwork. At customs in CR, I handed the agent the packet, he glanced over it, and waved us through. He never looked at our dog, who was NOT even in a carrying case. US Customs were only slightly more vigilant. They did a brief inspection of the dog, made a big fuss over him really, and only inquired if we had any dog food with us, which we did and which they normally would’ve confiscated, but because of the pet food debacle, and another 5 hours or more before we would make it home (entry was in Atlanta) they let us keep the dog food. Here is a link to the USDA. It’s all you need to know.
One thing to be careful of, I assume your dog will be going air cargo, and not in the cabin. When I brought my cat through who fit under the seat it was very easy getting through customs. When I went to pick up my dog who flew air cargo it was a different story. If you do not speak Spanish take someone with you who does to air cargo customs. They had me going back and forth between buildings for two hours and finally someone offered to “help me” for a price. Since I just wanted to get my poor dog out of there, I paid it. I met another women with a Bichon that they had been holding for two days because she would not pay them for “help”. That would be the only reason I would say to have a vet meet you if you have a relationship with one.
I didn’t have the entire amount of money this man wanted and said I would return the next day with it (never intending too). He had the nerve to call me twice about it. We had a friend call him and say he was our attorney and wanted documentation of all the paperwork and suddenly I was all paid up!
And if anyone needs the name of the vet who met our dog and escorted him through Customs in September of 2005, e-mail me at daveandmarcia@racsa.co.cr.
cindyc,
Thank you for the great info ! Wow – really sounds like a production to get your dog in. The problem is we will have 4 dogs, big and small, that will need transported back and forth !
Did you have to provide your own kennels or will the airline provide them? Can’t imagine where I would store 4 kennels or how I could get them to the property. Guess I would have to buy a truck there and have someone meet me.
Were you from the US? How long have you been in CR? What section of the country do you live in? Are things working out for you?
My wife & I are just in the begining of the process. We are taking our first tour this Summer and plan to buy a house this year in the Central Valley area – then transition our move to CR over the next 3-4 years from Ohio. We are both later 50’s and are excited about getting to your “Paradise “.
I appreciate your previous answer – very helpful. I understand if you do not have time to answer my questions. We hate to impose on anyone, but as a “newbe” the best way to see how things really are there is to talk to people who have already made the move.
Thanks Again,
Chris Callen
No problema! I think some airlines provide kennels at certain locations like Delta; you would have to check with the specific airline. Since you will going back and forth it may be a better idea to invest in some kennels so you can get the dogs used to them before the flights. Put a favorite blanket and toy in there to get them comfortable. There are plenty of drivers around that have large vans that could take you where you need to go. As I understand it, you don’t have property yet, so you might want to wait until you do to bring the dogs. There are a few places in San Jose that will let you have dogs in the rooms like Vida Tropical and the Adventure Inn.
We have been here since last August; moved from the central coast of California to the southern/central pacific coast of CR. Everything is going great for us; we just finished our construction project and are finally starting to feel at home. It is a large transition; spend as much time as posssible down here before you make the move and make sure it is for you. We’re glad we made the move!
I also am going to bringing my three large dogs and a cat down to C.R. One of the problems with REALLY large dogs (over 100 pounds) is that several of the airlines will not take the XL crates required to house a dog this big….it all has to do with the height of the dog and insuring that the dog can stand up and turn around, so be sure to check into that aspect of things before you book….
jmhardy:
Our dog is 100+ lbs., a Bernese Mountain Dog/Great Pyrennes mix, and he is quite tall. Which airlines will NOT ship a dog that large? He will be flying from Denver, Continental & American being the two airlines that have the best flights with one stop in Texas. Also, any ideas on where to get a very large crate? We do have a PetsMart nearby.
I spent half the summer of 2005 trying to figure out how to ship our Labrador retriever to Costa Rica without any problems. The requirements of the USDA and Costa Rican Customs were the easy part. The airlines were a nightmare.
There are international standards for the crate itself. The crates the airlines provide (at cost, of course) meet those standards. And there are size requirements. And there are maximum weight limits for the combination of dog and crate. And once you’ve made your way through that maze, you need to know that the airlines, which do their own weather forecasting (six days in advance) won’t accept the dog if at any place on the trip the temperature is forecast to be 85 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
Faced with all the uncertainties, we opted to put our Max into the hands of a professional pet transportation service which does this sort of thing. It wasn’t cheap, but it was certain. And they carried it off without a hitch.
you will need to call the airlines for specific information about the size limits on those dogs. those aren’t dogs — they’re small ponies!!! I know that continental has a special dog cargo department. there are also restrictions on WHEN you can fly depending on the temperatures. call the airlines and ask them all those questions.
I can’t remember now which do and don’t allow the XL crates because I’m not planning on doing this until late next year, so I was just kind of casually looking. But every airline site (American, Continental, Delta, etc.) have all that information on their websites and if it’s not obvious, just do a search on their site for “dog” or “pet”. As I recall, Continental does allow the XL crates, but as David said there is an international standard for these crate sizes and you need to make sure you get them from somewhere that guarantees they are the right dimensions.
I am also looking into the possibility of using one of the pet transport services David mentioned, but they are very expensive (relatively speaking) so it’s all a question of whether your wallet can afford it. Of course, as any pet-lover would ask you, how much is it worth to make sure that your dog gets there safely and securely?
Here’s a couple of sites that talk about this. I haven’t used either and can’t vouch for either, but you may want to do some research on them.
http://animalsaway.com/overview_services
http://www.ipata.com/page.php?rp=19&ca=0&cn=163&aironlysearch=ricMarvilla, which airlines did you fly? Need to have small dog in cabin and most of the airlines say NO. Thanks in advance, Gee Gee
We’ve flown Delta, Continental, and TransAir with our dog in the cabin. we had him declared a “service” animal so we never have any problems with the dog. Our doctor wrote a letter saying the dog relieved anxiety et voila he was a service dog subject to all the rules and regs and privileges of the IACC — http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20030509.doc
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