TSA rules for importing pets into the USA from abroad

23 February 2009 -- Update: US Live Animal Shipping Policy Changes

from a variety of sources: A new directive regarding the transportation of live animals into and through the USA has been placed into effect by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). With an effective date of 01 February 2009, the directive requires all animals, including dogs, cats, birds, etc, coming into the USA to be booked as Manifest Air Cargo; and must be tendered at their foreign/overseas origin by a "Regulated Agent" or "IATA approved agent".

Parties not affected include the following:

People (breeders, owners, etc) shipping their pets as cargo within the USA.
People traveling with their pets as excess baggage or in-cabin within the USA.
People traveling with their pets as excess luggage o in-cabin into the USA.

Affected parties include the following;

People shipping pets as cargo overseas/across the US border.
People living overseas who want to send their pets back to the US as air cargo.

Those affected parties must now use the services of a registered, licensed, or otherwise approved shipping/cargo/freight agent or broker at the origin of the unaccompanied air cargo shipment. Such agents are relatively easy to find, as they tend to locate near or adjacent to the major airports in the country of origin.

As always, individuals flying with a dog or other pet into the USA should check with the airline on which they are ticketed to identify and confirm the airline carriers policies on the acceptance of live animals as either in-cabin luggage or as excess accompanied baggage.

For more information, please contact the TSA, toll free within the USA .. 866-289-9673 ... or contact the US Customs & Border Protection agency .. toll free within the USA ... 877-227-5511.