Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does any one here know how to ship internationally? I have some friends in Europe that I would like to send some snakes to, but dont even know where to begin. Dont think it is going to be as easy as FedEx though

Thanks
Vinny
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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859

You might start with an import/export license and read the info supplied. You'll usually need vet certs for export and contact info for US fish and wildlife officers at your designated port. USF&W also has an electronic version of declaration.
I use a customs broker to walk stuff through and am 9 hours away from my port.
An easier option is to find somebody with a shipment going over to your destination already and share the cost of shipping.
Here's a couple useful links:
http://www.fws.gov/permits/
http://www.fws.gov/permits/instructions/ObtainPermit.shtml
Yes, it's a beaurocratic boondoggle.
Jeff

In addition to all the good information Jeff gave, if you can't find a broker, I can tell you it's not worth doing yourself unless you stand to make a sizeable amount of money (I'd say at least $1,000).

There's alot of fees and paperwork involved, as well as scheduling your shipment to go through an airline (the only way it's legal) and having it exit the United States through a designated port. If you've never shipped through the airlines, that's yet another process to go through and they generally won't approve you unless they think you'll be a "regular" customer who owns a legitimate business (they'll come to your house for an inspection prior to approval).

I've exported in the past, but for me it's just not worth doing anymore, unless it's done through a broker (who assumes all responsibility).

Tim

Third Eye