|
When traveling between countries with your pet cat or dog you sometimes need to change planes or even airlines in a country that is on the way to your destination country.
Do you need to follow the regulations of that country you are just transiting?
With only a couple of exceptions the United Kingdom being one of them you do not need to adhere to the regulations of the country you are transiting. The United Kingdom requires what is called a transit permit.
Are you really "transiting"?
If your pet is traveling in the cabin of the aircraft with you and you do not go through immigration at the on the way country then you are just "transiting". However, if you decide to go outside for even a minute to take your pet for a walk then you have entered that country and must also abide by their rules as well as the rules of the country that is your destination.
Check with your airline to make sure you are not entering that country even if you did not mean to do so. At some airports you may arrive on one airline at one terminal and depart from another terminal. Miami airport in the United States is set up that way. You actually have to go through immigration just to change planes.
If your pet is traveling as checked baggage then it gets more complicated. If your pet remains on the same plane or if it is transferred to another plane but the same airline then the pet is just "transiting". The problem occurs if the pet arrives in the "on the way" country on one airline and departs on another airline then it may have to enter the country. Most airlines will not transfer pet animals from one airline to another. So you have to pick your pet up from the first airline and that requires entering the country and then check the pet again on the flight to your final destination.
Be Prepared. In most cases the cost to carry both the forms for the final destination and another set of forms for the "on the way" country is very little. If you are not sure if you qualify for transiting then we recommend you be prepared.
|
