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Moving dogs to Rwanda, Africa from US via Belgium

25 10:08:40

Question
Jerry,

I am traveling in October to Rwanda from the US with my 2 dogs (a cairn terrier and a black lab)via Belgium. I will be taking them as "checked luggage". I plan to take a direct flight to Brussels, have a comfort stop in Brussels of 1 night, and then continue on the next day to Rwanda on a direct flight. I have researched and contacted all involved embassies, and know that I have to have the dogs microchipped, have current rabies vaccinations, have both the APHIS 7001 form and EU 998 forms completed,and an import permit for Belgium.

I have tried to find information on-line about the customs procedures at the Brussels airport, but have been unsuccessful. One pet mover I contacted said the dogs will need to be inspected by a vet before they are allowed to leave the airport. Is this true if the dogs are entering the country as "checked baggage" NOT cargo? Do you know if there is a fee for the vet inspection? Are there any other procedures the dogs must go through before they are allowed to leave the airport? How about any required procedures to be exported from Brussels the next day? Do you know where I can find information about pet friendly transportation from the airport to a hotel?

Thank you for your help!
Torri

Answer
Dear Tori
Really the best I can offer is for you to go to: www.ipata.com
and contact the pet shippers in Belgium.  That would be your best
source of info.  Maybe that is who you have already contacted?
What airline are you going on?  I should think they would have some
useful info for you.
You might try contacting the U.S. Embassy in Belgium and have them
forward to you a useful e-mail address or phone # for the Belgian
customs people and you can find out directly.
Are you sure you need an import permit for Belgium?  The other EU
countries don't require it.  At most, if you settle in some countries
they ask that you register the pets in time.
Let me know how this works out
Sincerely, Jerry Mishler