I thought I'd already replied on this thread but there's another from someone asking ho to take their dog TO the UK LOL!
On the other thread I recommended contacting DKC or Move One.
Thanks Singarosa and thanks Ruthm for the detailed reply, do you remember how much it cost in 2009?
I don't know about vet and DEFRA costs but the freight charges with Emirates were as follows:
Based on a container with dimensions (102x69x76 cms) the following charges will apply based on a chargeable weight of 178 Kilos. (this was two Labradors so charge is total for two crates)
* Freight Charges – £9.19 p/kg x 178 = £1635.82
* Fuel Surcharge – £0.38 p/kg x 178 = £67.64
* Security - £14.69
* Airline Handling - £19.50
* War risk - £0.09 p/kg x 178 = £16.02
* Customs Charges - £33.90
* AVI Check - £28.00
* Documentation - £12.50
I believe Virgin was £1200ish for both.
<em>edited by RuthM on 30/03/2014</em>
Cheapest is to arrange yourself:
- Do vaccinations etc. get Pet Passport and rabies serology cert from your local vet make sure the put the stickers from the vacs into the passport book
- Measure dog buy a plastic airline approved crate as per IATA guidelines (we used a sky kennel, ordered online quite cheap, lined with vet bed)
- Get quotes directly from airlines cargo (based on crate volume) in 2009 Virgin were marginally cheaper than Emirates, BA were astronomical, we went with Emirates for Gatwick convenience, once chosen then book flight
- arrange import documentation, we used DKC but it can be done directly
- contact DEFRA for DEFRA fit to fly cert they will sent form to local approved vet (if still a requirement)
- take dog for final check at vet, DEFRA cert plus appropriate medications (worming etc) before flying
- drop dog at airport
- take import paperwork to collect at other end if not using an agent
Tip: get the dog used to the crate before flying. I had our two sleep in their crates and gave them lots of treats in their crates, the guy at cargo said he'd never seen two dogs so happy to go into their crates some dogs have to be shoved and dragged in.