Official TSA response regarding importing pets from Canada

[kirama]

As you know, I was able to get my puppy into the US without a broker. But I got an email from a person who saw my post about this issue, and she said that now even Air Canada is requiring the use of a broker. Today I got an email from TSA (responding to my email to them in February) and it's official- you have to use a broker. So, for any Canadian breeders, or people buying pets from Canada I suggest that you line up a freight shipper well in advance and check prices, I got quotes for insane amounts- one broker wanted over $2,000. Here is the text of the email from TSA. I am not really comfortable posting on the doodle breeder forum but if one of you breeders wants to cross post this there, you are welcome to do so:
Re: shipping Dogs from Canada to the US

Dear Ms.xxxxx

Thank you for your email on February 20, 2009, regarding the shipment of dogs from Canada to the U.S.

Each country and airline has developed specific rules regarding the transport of pets, live animals and cargo within and outside of the US and its territories. For specific acceptance procedures and requirements, please contact the airline in advance. We highly recommend that you contact the airline to ensure the timely movement of live animals.

There are no current or new restrictions put in-place by TSA for placing animals in checked baggage for departure from inside or outside the United States. Also TSA did not change existing rules pertaining to the shipment of pets and live animals as cargo. However, we have clarified the previous requirements on how all cargo is accepted for shipment, from locations outside and being transported to the United States.

Anyone can still ship pets or live animals as cargo, but they must be given to a cargo/freight agent who will subsequently transfer it to an air carrier to transport. All cargo, including pets and live animals that are transported on a passenger aircraft, is subject to various means of inspection. The details of these procedures are contained within the airline security programs. These programs are categorized as sensitive security information and as such may not be disclosed to the public.

TSA continually reviews its security policies to ensure the safety of the traveling public. We appreciate the time you took to share your concerns with us and we hope this information has been helpful to you.
If we may be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the TSA Contact Center at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov

Sincerely,
Tamika
Tamika McCree
DHS/TSA-HQ
Manager, Air Cargo Stakeholder Relations
601 S. 12th Street, E4-326N, TSA-28
Arlington, VA 22202
(O) 571-227-2632
(E) Tamika.McCree@dhs.gov

[KingstonTodd]

Crappy news for breeders (me), but luckily for you we were able to get Beck to you before they changed their interpretation.

[kirama]

yes, definitely bad news for breeders which is why I am hoping that anyone anticipating shipping a pup out of Canada do the homework now and line up a reasonably priced broker. There is one in Winnipeg who only charges $35 per puppy, but unfortunately that is the only airport they work out of.

[Jac]

Wow...this is discouraging! Todd...are you near Winnipeg? This will definately hurt business...

[Jac]

Okay, I posted this on the breeder's forum...thanks!

[cocoandjane]

"Anyone can still ship pets or live animals as cargo, but they must be given to a cargo/freight agent who will subsequently transfer it to an air carrier to transport. All cargo, including pets and live animals that are transported on a passenger aircraft, is subject to various means of inspection. The details of these procedures are contained within the airline security programs. These programs are categorized as sensitive security information and as such may not be disclosed to the public."

Not only crappy for breeders, but creepy. What does the above underlined mean exactly and what does the broker/agent actually do ?? I am sorry, I don't get it...I do know I don't like it.

[KingstonTodd]

Originally Posted by Jac

Wow...this is discouraging! Todd...are you near Winnipeg? This will definately hurt business...

We are very far from Winnipeg, like a 3 day drive! But we're just a little over 2 h from Syracuse so I may use that airport to fly puppies if I can drive over the border. I only breed one female, so its not like I will be going over the border every month so 1 or 2 trips a year should not raise any flags. I just need to tell them an address I am visiting in the US to satisfy the border agent, so I need to meet a friend in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo.....

[cocoandjane]

Annmarie is near Rochester....

[kirama]

Originally Posted by cocoandjane

Not only crappy for breeders, but creepy. What does the above underlined mean exactly and what does the broker/agent actually do ?? I am sorry, I don't get it...I do know I don't like it.

They do absolutely NOTHING. You drive the pup to the airport, you hand the crate to the broker who fills out a piece of paper and hands the crate and the piece of paper to the cargo agent. I hate to be cynical, but I have to wonder if this move was brought about by pressure from some 'broker' lobbyist. And inspite of the email I got from TSA, someone has said they shipped a pup from Canada to the US in the past few days on Air Canada, however I got this 'desperate' email a few days ago from a lady who couldn't book on Air Canada out of Calgary without a broker:

Hi, I bought a puppy from a breeder in Saaskatoon and we try to ship is from Calgary to me in Houston, Texas. We spoke with Canada air and Continental and they no longer accept privet shippers they only accept registered brokers to ship to US. What did you do with your puppy, do you know of any broker? Please help. If I find somethind I let you know , too. Thank you so much for your time and help.

[cocoandjane]

Hmmmm. Just another money grabbing scheme,
surely they offer another reason this is necessary....
I understand the dilemma....don't understand the purpose...
or what it is they are saying to justify the "service?"
They had their bases covered before with a vet clearance to travel, the crate
requirements...identification of owner and breeder....what's the deal?
Do they think Canadian breeders are packing a female full of drugs, or something?
Or some terrorist weapons...a bomb? For Pete's sake.....I guess any or all of that
could be possible...they do that with dogs coming across from Mexico...the drug smuggling
part....Geesh.....What upright citizens have to put up with because of the lawless.
that's true across the board, I guess. Sad , but true.

[KingstonTodd]

I think the idea behind it is that if there is a problem with the puppy, ie used for smuggling drugs or infected with a disease, the broker is someone who is liscenced that the airline, or the TSA can go after, and they have the correct biographical onformation on them. If they only information they have is the breeder, then they have a harder time tracking them down. All I had to do was show my drivers liscence, which does NOT have our current address on it, and they are easy to get fakes of anyway (just ask some underagers where to go). So I think it is a way of holding SOMEBODY accountable for the shipment, but I agree that it is also such a money grab because they just sign some papers and are gone. They should allow breeders to regester, with proof of ID and residence and then become recognized shippers. Problem solved, not cash to puppy mill supporting brokers!

[cocoandjane]

Exactly!!

[MaxandMe]

Todd is Syracuse closer to you than Rochester???/ i live in rochester which flies pups out
rochester has many direct flights with all major airlines as i believe Kodak, Xerox,paychex and other big companies
keep them busy with business flights.

rochester i thought was closer to Ontario.........just a thought

(hey maybe i should be a puppy broker? just teasing)

On a Serious note.......i really have to agree with you Todd on letting breeders register
going through a broker raises everyone's prices across the board!
I really feel it's another way of a money making scheme hiding behind a law.

[Doodlesville]

That is soooo NOT right!!! they are lining pockets here, so unfair