Navigating the import of dogs from other countries

ISDF has been receiving dogs from other countries into the US for re-homing for over 12 years. Our current country partners include S Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Oman, Tunisia, Albania, and Jordan. Over the years the regulations to import a dog into the US have changed and in some ways become more complicated.

Due to the increase in the number of rescue dogs entering the US to be re-homed, US Customs has begun to pay closer attention and in some cases start to enforce existing laws. My experience has been that the laws are being interpreted differently at different airports and ultimately the Customs Agent handling the import. The import laws are often times not stated accurately or interpreted correctly by the Customs Agent causing much duress and unnecessary cost to the rescuers.

I have personally been told so many variations by Customs Agents at O’Hare and what is the most troubling is that most of them are incorrect. As a result, I am sitting for the Customs Broker exam in April to make the process easier for ISDF and other rescue organizations.

Studying for the exam has been very eye opening to say the least. I have learned many things that have never been communicated to me by the US Customs Office at O’Hare, cargo personnel or Customs Agents at the airport. This is shocking to me and I feel it is imperative that rescuers know the law and most importantly their rights as reliance can not be placed on the agent handling your dogs arrival to the US.

Recently a Kuwait rescuer had to pay over $7,000 and had 5 dogs shipped back to Kuwait. This is money that caused a crisis for the people who were trying to help these dogs. Jewelry was pawned and money borrowed and a desperate plea for funds went out. What outrages me the most is that the money could have helped so many other dogs in desperate need. I am not going to opine on the specifics of the case and whose to blame. The fact of the matter is that mistakes can happen and will happen. However, there is no excuse for the mishandling of this case by the US Customs and Border Security Agency. The only way to prevent events like this from occurring in the future is for rescuers to know the rules and their rights.

ISDF will be happy to consult with any rescuers who are trying to navigate through the process of bringing dogs to the US. Feel free to contact Dawn at info@istreetdog.com. ISDF will be publishing a Fact Sheet on Importing Dogs to the US which can be used as a reference for others.