IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD PETS

Moving to a new country with your pet can be a hassle if you are not familiar with the complex rules and regulations governing the transportation of animals. It is highly recommended that you use a professional pet transportation service to avoid the many problems that can arise if transit is not handled properly. Move One’s Pet Transportation department provides top-notch pet relocation services and advises clients in our many locations on the requirements needed to import or export their beloved pet.

Russian authorities allow export of household pets (dogs and cats), but export of any type of bird or exotic animal is very difficult and expensive.

The following documents are required for export customs clearance of pets (dogs and cats) from Russia :

• Health certificate issued by a Russian veterinarian, issued no more than 3 days before the pet leaves Russia
• International pet passport / up to date vaccination records with proof of vaccination. Russian vet has to check and endorse the pet passport / vaccination record not later than 5 days prior departure. Vaccines against rabies and feline/canine diseases must have been given within the past 12 months, but not within 30 days prior to departure.
• Copy of owner’s passport
• Copy of Moscow registration
• Foreigners working in Moscow need to provide letter to the Customs from Moscow company they work for
• Power of attorney (issued by a notary office in Russia) and notarized copy of the power of attorney authorizing Move One to act on shipper’s behalf

Note
In case of exporting a dog that has special breeding background, or is a very expensive breed, an official permit must be obtained from the Russian Kinological Association no more than 3 days before departing Russia. In order to obtain this document, the shipper must show the pet passport, a photo of the dog and state the departure date.

A Few Practical Tips

To make the journey as comfortable as possible for your pet we recommend the following:

• Let your pet get accustomed to the kennel before it travels even if it has travelled in it earlier. Five days is usually enough for your pet to adjust to the kennel environment.
• Animals can get airsick, too. Give your pet a small meal the evening before it travels and no later than 12 hours before the flight.
• Do not give your pet anything to drink within 4 hours of departure
• Make sure that your dog or cat goes to the toilet before it travels
• Please do not give any tranquillisers or sedatives to your pet. This will prevent them being injured while being transported.
• Do not leave chewable toys inside the transport kennel
• Make sure your pet’s leash is not inside the transport kennel, but secured on top of it. However we can not guarantee it will reach final destination. In case you have expensive leash, we recommend that you do not ship it with your pet, but bring it with your other belongings to the final destination.
• Shredded paper is most comfortable and airlines accepted bedding for the transport kennel

EXPORT OF HOUSEHOLD PETS

If you would like to book your pet’s specific relocation with Move One, or for further information about our general pet relocation services, please contact us at pet@moveoneinc.com or request a free pet transportation quote by filling out our short online form. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will follow up with you shortly with a quote tailor-made to your needs.

The following documents are required to import dogs and cats into Russia:

• International pet passport / up to date vaccination records with proof of vaccination. Vet at the country of origin has to check and endorse the pet passport/vaccination record not later than 5 days prior departure. Vaccines against rabies and feline / canine diseases must have been given within the past 12 months, but not within 30 days prior to departure.
• International health certificate in Russian and in English endorsed by state vet at country of origin, respecting the validity of the certificate in the country of origin
• Copy of the owner’s passport and contact details
• Copy of owner’s visa
• Copy of owner’s registration in Moscow
• Foreigners working in Moscow need to provide letter to the Customs from Moscow company they work for
• Power of attorney (issued by a notary office in Russia) and notarized copy of the power of attorney authorizing Move One to act on shipper’s behalf

Notes

• Pets are cleared duty free for weight under 31 kg gross (pet and kennel). If gross weight is over 31 kg, duties are obligatory for all importers and the cost is 4 eur per gross kg.
• When importing pets from the United States, be aware veterinarians in the United States sometimes use rabies vaccines that are valid for three years. In Russia vaccines are only valid for one year. As a result, the pet must be re-vaccinated unless it was vaccinated in the last 12 months. Once the 12-month period as of the vaccination date has expired the pet must be re-vaccinated regardless of how long his/her American vaccination is valid for.
• If the client brings the pet on the plane on the board the following documents are needed:
  1. International pet passport / up to date vaccination records with proof of vaccination. Vet at the country of origin has to check and endorse the pet passport/vaccination record not later than 5 days prior departure. Vaccines against rabies and feline / canine diseases must have been given within the past 12 months, but not within 30 days prior to departure.
  2. International health certificate in Russian and in English endorsed by the state vet at country of origin, respecting the validity date.
• Only 1 kg pet food is allowed to bring as hand carry.

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