Shipping Pets Back to the States

Hi Everyone,

I had my 2 cats shipped to Edinburgh in 2012, and now that my course is over, I'm trying to send them home. I'm running into many, many obstacles. My flight is booked for January 2nd 2014, through British Airways, and I would like for them to be on that flight with me. The route is EDI-Heathrow-ATL. I have called British Airways, and was given the number for Royal Cargo. I called, and the number had been changed. I called the new number, and automated response told me they no longer handle pet shipments. Then it hung up on me.

I've looked over the info on IAG Cargo. No list of prices anywhere. They want me to contact another pet transport company...when I shipped them over, I dropped them off at the ATL IAG Cargo area, and presented the paperwork there. I didn't have to go through yet another company. British Airways flights all the way. Now it seems to be completely different on this end.

I just want to speak to a real person. Someone who can actually help me sort this out, instead of making me call 5 different places. British Airways says it charges $196 per pet for the flight. I never had to pay a customs fee to get them in the UK, even though they told me they would charge me.

Help, please. Anyone with recent info. I would greatly appreciate it.

Kind regards,

Amanda

HI

I'm not sure if I can be lots of help or not but I just flew my dog back last month.  It wasn't on BA though it was on AA from Manchester to chicago.(they do codeshare with BA though)

We flew her back basically as an excess bag.  It was 100GBP and we took her to the AA check in counter and paid there and then the agents helped from that point.  She only needed a "fit to fly" type letter from the vet.  Because they are coming from the UK there isn't any rabies stuff that the USDA is worried about but if you have the paperwork they might look at it.  We didn't pay any other fees.  We collected her inside the baggage claim before you go through customs but ours was  a direct flight and we didn't have to worry about connection times etc.

We also got all our info from a regular customer service agent so no special phone calls or anything.  If I were you I'd ask about that option.  They may be getting confused and that is what the $196 is for. 

I don't understand what you mean about not having to pay any customs fee to get them in the UK and what that has to do with the US.  BTW if you look on the USDA website dogs and cats are exempt from any import taxes. 

Hope that helps a tiny bit

make sure you get a rabies certificate..........it is required but not always checked.......im looking into taking my lil one to france so that she can fly in cabin with me as my carry on.....by the time I take her back im sure rules will have changed.