This may belong in a different forum -- not sure.

My wife and I will move from Thailand to the USA, flying on UA.

She's asked me if we can bring her pet fish... I have no clue how we'd do that tactically, and doubt that we can, but every now and then I see FT answers that surprise me.

I looked over http://www.unitedcargo.com/services/SpecAnimals.jsp and didn't see anything about fish. Has anybody ever tried to check-in fish with United? Or move fish with them on journeys that can't be done in a car? Is it possible?

Thanks in advance.

You can definitely do it, but you will need to buy a separate seat for the fish.

Actually, if the fish is not too big, you should be able to just put it in a bag with water, make sure it is aerated, and but it in your hand carry. Most tropical fish get sent that way and the fish can survive for at least several days.

Importation or quarantine could be a bigger issue. You might also want to talk to a tropical fish exporter. There are many in Thailand. They can probably send it fedex and know how to deal with U.S. importation issues.

DEFINITELY will be an import issue! They may want to put the fish into quarantine for some period of time, which could be death to the fish. Check ahead of time.

Please remember that customs seem to have a thing about things that might be considered food. Last January, I carried a plush fish toy back from the Philippines, listed it on the I-94 form and was sent to secondary for inspection of said fish.

TSA will be happy to let you bring the fish but will demand that you pour out the water due to the liquids ban.

fishy fishy...

can it survive?

hmmm. Make fishsticks lol... sry.. bad joke...

I am sure your fish needs more than 3 once of liquid to survive. Buying a seat for the fish might be a problem.

IF you are connecting in the US, also be aware of the 3 oz rule for any liquids... not sure the fish could live in less that 3 oz of water for any length of time!

This could be a tough one....

First, there may be some US Fish and Wildlife issues, who is to say that your fish isn't a rare and endangered species (even though it may not be).
Start here http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/FactSheetShellFish.htm and contact them.

Second, I don't believe you'll ever get it in the passenger cabin because of the liquid. Even if you did in Thailand, you will have intermediate stops along the way which could be problematic. If your first port of entry to the US is not your final destination, I'll bet TSA catches it when you get rescreened. It could be a sad moment in time saying goodbye to Mr Bubbles at some foreign airport, knowing that he may be the evening's appetizer

Third, there is US Customs, and I have no idea how they would respond.

I'm guessing that your best bet is to contact both the FWS and CBP and get a letter of authorization, (or at least a letter stating you are OK importing it as a pet) if a license isn't required, and then figure out how you can get him in the cargo hold as baggage. Importing of tropical fish by air is a common thing so there is a way of doing it, I'm sure. And who knows, perhaps Thailand has their own rules about export of live fish.....

If you get it here, I'd like to hear the story of how you did it!

DEN

You're definitely going to want to talk to US Fish and Wildlife ahead of time to see what permits and such that you may require. You will want to talk with the customs department also.

My son has brought in orchids from Thailand and, even with the proper permits, we have still had some issues, such as the orchids being quarantined at the port of entry.

If your POE is not the same as your final destination, this could prove a real hassle for you because you'd then either want a customs broker to clear the fish you for or fly back to the POE once they've been inspected by USF&W and clear them yourself.

Here is some contact info:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...ishandWildlife

And with that, since this is not specific to United, I'm going to move this to TravelBuzz!

l'etoile
UA moderator

There is a travel with pets forum...

I don't think he could do it even if he is flying direct, remember that many airports have specific restrictions for flights departing to the US and such restrictions do include the liquids 3 oz thing.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Please continue to follow this thread in the Travel With Pets Forum.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Interesting thread. I used to import fish (had the appropriate USDA APHIS and US F&WS permits and was bringing them back as breeding stock ofr myself or for Stanford University) and used large plastic bags (double bagged) with perhaps 1/3 water and the rest pure oxygen, closed off with rubber bands and placed into a styrofoam container (some are sold for fish transport, a big business worldwide) which is taped shut with shipping information inside and outside, shipped as counter air freight.

I never had a problem, personally, but be thorough and have the required documentation.