The US to Continent to UK option for transport.

Actually, its not really a way around PETS, it's just a way around the exorbitant fees you have to pay to ship a pet cargo to the UK. I'm sure there is a reason for it, but why DEFRA won't allow pets as accompanied baggage just seems like an airline subsidy to me. Anyway, let me get to my point.

We're moving to the UK in May. In order to avoid the fees I mentioned above, we're considering a flight to the continent (probably France), and then renting a car and going over the channel by ferry or the Eurotunnel train.

I suspect we'll still have to pay the fees on entry to the UK, but our hope is we save a significant amount of money by taking the dog as accompanied baggage into France. The downside is that is will likely add an extra 10 hours or more of travel.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks.

This is allowed, but please make sure your animal meets the import requirements of both France AND the UK before travelling.  Additionally, you will need to use an approved transport route either by sea or rail, or your pet might be forced into quarantine.

Here is a list of approved sea routes into the UK: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/euroutes-sea.htm
Here is a list of rail services allowed: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/euroutes-rail.htm

I do believe that France does not require the blood test + 6 month wait, but the UK does.  Since the UK is your ultimate destination, you obviously still need to conduct the blood test + 6 month wait before travelling.

Hope this helps!

the bloody test

Heehee! Did you mean to say that or is it just a very appropriate typo?

Heehee! Did you mean to say that or is it just a very appropriate typo?

Ha!  Good eye.  Just a silly typo .