HELP! Need to ship a tortoise internationally - need advice!

Hi there everyone,

I was living in the Netherlands for a few years with my boyfriend but we broke up recently, so I moved back to the USA. Problem is, I have a Russian tortoise that I wasn't able to take with me when I left. Is it possible to ship him safely from The Netherlands to the USA? I'd be heartbroken if I couldn't have him here with me eventually. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Greetings..

Have you tried looking into the info provided by USDA?

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pe...the-united-states/pet-travel-reptiles-into-us

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) does not have any animal health requirements related to bringing (importing) a reptile to the United States (U.S.) from a foreign country. However, there are a few tortoises that VS prohibits from being imported.

Maro2Bear said:

Greetings..

Have you tried looking into the info provided by USDA?

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pe...the-united-states/pet-travel-reptiles-into-us

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) does not have any animal health requirements related to bringing (importing) a reptile to the United States (U.S.) from a foreign country. However, there are a few tortoises that VS prohibits from being imported.

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As far as I can tell it isn't illegal to import a Russian tortoise into the US, but I don't know how I could do it. I'm also not clear on wether or not I'd need a permit or a license to do so. I wouldn't think so, as Russians are very common in the US but I don't know, I'm not finding very clear information anywhere I look. I would want him shipped as safely as possible (obviously) and as quickly as possible and I don't know if overnight/ 1 day shipping is possible from there to here. I love him so much, I wish this was a less complicated process.

Well, from looking about, Russian tortoises are not a protected reptile and don’t fall under CITES and the USDA requirement to have a CITES import permit. That list is here - (searching under tortoise) - you can see the torts that are on CITES - https://www.speciesplus.net/

i think i would give USDA office a call, and see what is needed for a tort that is permitted.. APHIS Customer Service -
1-844-820-2234. - https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/banner/contactus


Good luck

MadameFizzgig said:

Hi there everyone,

I was living in the Netherlands for a few years with my boyfriend but we broke up recently, so I moved back to the USA. Problem is, I have a Russian tortoise that I wasn't able to take with me when I left. Is it possible to ship him safely from The Netherlands to the USA? I'd be heartbroken if I couldn't have him here with me eventually. Does anyone have any experience with this?

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Hello. Do you fly back into the USA ? Some airlines accept small, harmless animals as a cabin baggage on flights. When you have all official papers for the tort I would ask the airline if it possible to take the tort with you.

Bee62 said:

Hello. Do you fly back into the USA ? Some airlines accept small, harmless animals as a cabin baggage on flights. When you have all official papers for the tort I would ask the airline if it possible to take the tort with you.

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I already am in the US, I already left the Netherlands. I'm trying to see if I can have someone who's still there ship him here.

Maro2Bear said:

Well, from looking about, Russian tortoises are not a protected reptile and don’t fall under CITES and the USDA requirement to have a CITES import permit. That list is here - (searching under tortoise) - you can see the torts that are on CITES - https://www.speciesplus.net/

i think i would give USDA office a call, and see what is needed for a tort that is permitted.. APHIS Customer Service -
1-844-820-2234. - https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/banner/contactus


Good luck

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So you don't think I don't need any permits or anything? Would that mean he could just be shipped in the mail if I can find a way to send him 1 day shipping? Thanks for the information,

MadameFizzgig said:

So you don't think I don't need any permits or anything? Would that mean he could just be shipped in the mail if I can find a way to send him 1 day shipping? Thanks for the information,

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Id get on the phone to the USDA peeps and ask a bunch of questions. It’s not a restricted reptile/tortoise so no CITES.

You might just be able to have someone hand carry it back in the cabin like a small cat or dog, if thats possible....id be afraid to just ship it via DHL or another shipper for lots of reasons. That said, ive had lots of co-workers ship their pets as cargo and all works out well. Just have to watch Wintertime cold temps.

use FedEx, pack the tort in those peanut things so he can't be tossed around. I usually stuff mine tight into a sock so he can't move much, tie a knot right behind the animal. They will mostly sleep. Don't wait to have them deliver to your house, make arrangements to pick him up when the plane lands. Jacque can explain better than I can. Awhile back I sent her 2 adult torts. how were they when you got them Jac? Any advice for the lady? @Jacqui

Maro2Bear said:

Id get on the phone to the USDA peeps and ask a bunch of questions. It’s not a restricted reptile/tortoise so no CITES.

You might just be able to have someone hand carry it back in the cabin like a small cat or dog, if thats possible....id be afraid to just ship it via DHL or another shipper for lots of reasons. That said, ive had lots of co-workers ship their pets as cargo and all works out well. Just have to watch Wintertime cold temps.

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Russian tortoises are CITES appendix II. All tortoise species are by default a minimum of CITES appendix II listed.

2turtletom said:

Russian tortoises are CITES appendix II. All tortoise species are by default a minimum of CITES appendix II listed.

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What exactly does that mean for me? Would I need to get a form or something? Sorry for all the questions I'm just very unclear on how to do this and I want to be absolutely sure I do it correctly.

maggie18fan said:

use FedEx, pack the tort in those peanut things so he can't be tossed around. I usually stuff mine tight into a sock so he can't move much, tie a knot right behind the animal. They will mostly sleep. Don't wait to have them deliver to your house, make arrangements to pick him up when the plane lands. Jacque can explain better than I can. Awhile back I sent her 2 adult torts. how were they when you got them Jac? Any advice for the lady? @Jacqui

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Is FedEx worldwide? I don't remember ever seeing a FedEx in the Netherlands. Is it possible to do one day shipping when something is shipped internationally?

Jacqui knows more about shipping, or Tom. I've shipped a bit but never internationally

might be easier to contact a reptile exporter in the Netherlands , I know there are some ...….they may be able to do it for you , or tell you how to do it yourself ……...

To be honest, unless this Russian is very special to you , the cost of transportation and importing paperwork will probably enough for you to buy 100 Russians here at petco .

enchilada said:

To be honest, unless this Russian is very special to you , the cost of transportation and importing paperwork will probably enough for you to buy 100 Russians here at petco .

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Of course he's special to me... Who gets a pet and can just give it up like it's nothing? I love the little guy.

MadameFizzgig said:

Of course he's special to me... Who gets a pet and can just give it up like it's nothing? I love the little guy.

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Right on......

MadameFizzgig said:

What exactly does that mean for me? Would I need to get a form or something? Sorry for all the questions I'm just very unclear on how to do this and I want to be absolutely sure I do it correctly.

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Here's a place to begin: https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/how.php

Bottom line, I would contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for advice. They administer the CITES treaty for the U.S.

https://www.fws.gov/international/cites/

Shipping an animal internationally isn't easy, especially if it is CITES listed. Since it is your pet the permit application is a bit different, you can find it on this page.

https://www.fws.gov/international/permits/by-activity/personal-pets.html

I am not sure if you need to be traveling with you pet to use this method, you should look into that. I would try to talk to USFWS but don't expect them to be very helpful. I would suggest you consider using a customs broker to help with the import. This will take care of the import side of things, but you will probably need to work on the export side as well to get the tortoise out of the Netherlands and on the airplane.