Some updates to this thread from a recent dog imported from California
Most of what has been said here is still true. Please read all previous posts before this one because I am just trying to give a recent account of this process, not a complete guide.
IF YOU ARE IMPORTING YOUR DOG FROM THE USA: :America:
First things first. It has been said many times: THIS PROCESS SUCKS!
Here’s my pep talk:
-Taiwan really doesn’t care about your dog moving here. This island already has too many dogs as it is. During the course of this process you will likely not encounter t anyone offering even the slightest sliver of compassion for the emotional, financial, and physical hardships you will endure during this long and arduous journey. We, the people who chose to import our dogs, are clearly ‘in love’ with our animals; the people you will be handing ‘Fido’ over too (quarantine) will likely not fill your heart with good graces when that day comes. Just be prepared, because I wasn’t.
When you sit back and think about what you’re actually doing: You will be moving your dog halfway around the world! In just one day your pet will experience a very long and scary plane ride followed immediately by quarentine in a cage and essentially abandoned in a foreign kennel filled with foreign smells. Never mind your dog, this process is extremely emotional for the owner, but just keep in mind that many people have gone through this before you, and dozens are currently going through it right now. The reality is that your dog will be just fine. He/She is a lot tougher than you think, and will be kept healthy and safe at the vet school quarantine. It is true that they will be in a cage by themselves with little exercise and stimulation for 3 weeks, but they will forgive you very quickly once the process is over. Importing your dog will likely cost you thousands and thousands of USD, but if you are like me, money is no object when it comes to your best friend
-ALSO REMEMBER: No matter how much forum reading you do or how well prepared you think you are, the quarantine office will almost certainly find something wrong with your documents, so just pray it is of the easily fixable kind! A trip to the Temple might be in order!
I digress.
I went through this process without the help of a Pet Import Agent or anybody in the pet business here in Taiwan. I moved to Taipei back in April, and I left my dog with a friend in Los Angeles. I applied for the Animal Import Permit in November (this was the easy part), then I flew back and picked up my dog and brought him with me via EVA Airlines in December (this was the hard part). This process should be viewed as 4 parts: Pet Import Permit Application, USDA health check documentation, quarantine desk at TPE, and drop-off/final release from quarantine. It is really all about having your documents in order and always available, I can’t stress that enough. This is how I did it:
Documents you will need to get the Animal Import Permit:
- Microchip Implant Verification. This is the certificate issued by the vet when your dog was implanted. (only a digital copy is needed for this step)
note: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST HAVE THIS MICROCHIP NUMBER ON THEM, DO NOT THINK THIS CAN/WILL BE OVERLOOKED BY THE QUARANTINE OFFICE. Also note that some posts from years ago mention you will need to supply 6 different body photographs of your dog prior to import? This is not necessary anymore. The microchip certifies that the dog is who you said it is.
- Rabies vaccination certificate. If this vaccination was given before the microchip implant, guess what? You’re out of luck. The rabies vaccination (original or booster) must have come after the chip implantation. (only a digital copy is needed for this step)
note: If the rabies vaccination is a 3 year booster (i.e. not the original rabies vaccination given as a puppy) the vet certificate must have the word ‘Booster’ on the document. Every vet in the world knows what a ‘3 year killed virus’ rabies shot is, but I’m telling you, there is NO LEEWAY with the quarantine office. My vaccination didn’t say the word ‘Booster’ on it and they forced me to have my vet fax over a letter confirming the vaccination was a booster. This is an example of the bureaucratic rubbish you might run into. Be patient; give them exactly what they ask for. If you do end up having transactions like this that take places, get a copy of any and all documents for your records (faxes or emails)
- Rabies Titer. Completed 6 months prior to import into Taiwan (note: 6 months from the stated day of analysis). The test must have been done by the Kansas State University Rabies Lab, and obviously the result must pass. Again, make sure the microchip number is present and accurate. (only a digital copy is needed for this step)
- Fill out the ANIMAL IMPORT application form. If you have any questions about what to write, call them and they will answer your questions. At the time that your application is approved they will mail you the permit and also make an appointment at the quarantine location your dog will be staying at. The permit will give you an 8 day window in which your dog must arrive (this window will be in the time frame that you tell them your dog will arrive). This is done so that if your arrival flight is delayed or something else comes up you have a window of time to arrive with your dog.
note: It is wise to start this process >45 days prior to arrival. I APPLIED IN EARLY NOVEMBER FOR A LATE DECEMBER ARRIVAL AND THE NTU QUARANTINE WAS FULL. As a result my pooch got locked up at the next closest quarantine location which is at the vet school down in Taichung.
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SOME GOOD NEWS! you only have to fax or email the documents for this import application process. DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINALS!!! The originals will be needed back in the USA prior to export and then again at TPE when you arrive in Taiwan with your dog.
VERY IMPORTANT STEP!: export health check documents.
I will keep this simple: 2 steps
Step 1) Get a USDA approved Vet to issue a travel health certificate. Go to the USDA website to make sure the veterinarian you choose to use is a current USDA approved vet for issuing health certificates. I would first, ask your vet if they are certified USDA, then call the USDA office and make sure they’re on the approved list. This would be a good time to confirm exactly what health check form needs to be filled out. The USDA veterinarian told me that starting Jan. 1st 2011 the health check form I possessed would no longer be valid and a newer updated form was being implemented. A phone call can save you mega time, money and head/heartache.
Step 2) You will need to have all your export documents approved and stamped/sealed by a USDA veterinarian. This is done at a USDA office; it will also cost you $114USD! (Check or credit card only) Fortunately the USDA has satellite offices set up around the major USA airports for the purpose of approving exported animals and plants (your vet probably has their phone number). You will need to make an appointment (I did it with one days notice) and bring with you the health check from your USDA approved veterinarian (dated <10 days prior to arrival in Taiwan) plus all of the ORIGINAL documents you submitted for the Taiwan Animal Import Permit (rabies titer, rabies vaccination, microchip certificate, any document you submitted to get the Permit, this includes emails/faxes your vet may have sent to verify certain documents.)
This step will bring you piece of mind because the USDA vet will have double checked to make sure that the exporting documents all have the right information on them. This is their job, so I guess you pay $114 bucks for something!
Documents you will need to get on the airplane:
The Airline will ABSOLUTELY have to see these documents. The airline is legally responsible for making their best effort to establish that any animal boarding their plane bound for Taiwan has the proper documents needed for importation.
- Taiwan Animal Import Permit (original)
- USDA stamped documents: health check, rabies titer, rabies vaccination, microchip certificate
Documents you will need at the quarantine desk at TPE:
I arrived at 7am and there was a woman at the animal and plant quarantine desk (located right next to one of the baggage claims). They said no one would be there until 9am on weekdays so I’m not sure why she was there, but she was, and she checked me in. At 9:00am the quarantine escort arrived to accompany me and my dog to the quarantine location. I had to supply the car to drive me, my dog (in his now locked and secured cage), and the escort down to the Taichung quarantine facility (I did not need to drive the escort back to the airport) There are no doggie bathrooms at the airport (like in LA) so if your dog only goes on grass like mine they’re not going to see any for at least 3 weeks. Remember to give your dog water! I was able to run up and down the baggage claim carousels with him to get some exercise while I waited.
Documents:
- Taiwan Animal Import Permit (original)
- USDA stamped documents: health check, rabies titer, rabies vaccination, microchip certificate
- You will have to pay the Bank of Taiwan $500NT. I was so tired I don’t remember why? Don’t worry, they will walk you over to the airport bank where you WILL pay!
- JUBILATION! If the quarantine desk has approved your documents and you pay your $500NT then you have successfully imported your dog! Now on to quarantine!
Drop-Off/Pick-Up from the quarantine location:
My dog was at the Taichung quarantine. When I arrived I was in the worst mood, try not to be too upset. You will have just flown 8,000 miles, you and your dog are jet lagged and now you have to get in a car and drive 170km down to Taichung where you are about to hand over your precious pup to strangers who, as I have mentioned earlier, don’t really seem to care how tired or emotionally unstable you are. Taichung has a quarantine house that is one story and it is annexed to the vet school. There is a vet on duty; he will probably remind you of Chairman Mao’s long lost brother. You will be so ashamed of yourself for putting your dog through all this that you won’t even be able to look at them. It will be tough, remember everyone has to do it.
I didn’t fill out any paperwork once I was there. Maybe they had me sign something, I don’t remember. They have visiting hours every weekday 2:30 – 3:30pm. No appointment necessary and no limit on visitations. The food is supplied, it is a good brand. You CAN leave your dog’s food with them as well as treats and toys/beds/blankets. No collars allowed but you can put jackets/shirts on the animals. They do wash things as they become dirty or soiled, and the kennel staff is very diligent and care about the pets. There was 2 kennel staffers, they where older man and woman, not vet students. The vet might ask you questions about flea/tick treatment previously applied. They will probably apply an ADVANTIX topical while your dog is there. It is important that you give the vet any and all information you think they might need to take the best care of your dog. The cages are indoors and they have electric heaters for the winter and I’ve seen big fans sitting around, didn’t look like any A/C but it’s December so I didn’t ask.
You will need to pay the cashier $10,000NT (don’t lose this receipt!) when you drop off, and $9150 NT when you pick up. Not a cheap stay. The small dogs stay in smaller dog cages, the bigger dogs stay in bigger dog cages. The cats stay in the medium sized cat cages. Overall, I would say appropriate sized cages for the animals. There is a 15’ x 15’ visiting/play area for each ‘ward’ and you can bath your dog if you want.
Check with the vet on duty periodically to make sure your pooch is on schedule for a 21 day release. Call the quarantine office one time early on to double check that they are satisfied with all the paperwork you have submitted (they will tell you at TPE if there is a problem you need to resolve). If you do have to get a document straightened out, they will start the 21 day quarantine immediately, they don’t wait for you to correct the problem before starting the clock or something cruel like that!
2 days prior to your dog’s release, the vet at the quarantine will contact the Animal Import headquarters (this office is in Taoyuan County and not at TPE or any quarantine facility) to confirm that all is good and Fido can go home with you!
Once released, there is no further vet checkups or anything like that. Your dog will be free! :taz: