A couple buys a puppy in Switzerland and does not declare it to customs
Singing/Bietingen (ots). A couple from Hamburg did not declare a four-month-old puppy to customs when they entered Switzerland. The 64-year-old German had the dog for 2,600 Swiss francs (equivalent to around 2,800 euros) purchased from a breeding facility in the canton of St. Gallen, as it turned out during a customs check at the Bietingen border crossing.
“When pets enter the country from third countries, customs not only monitors the veterinary requirements, such as whether the animal has been vaccinated against rabies,” explains Sonja Müller, press spokeswoman for the Singen Main Customs Office, “when purchasing abroad, they also check whether import duties are to be charged.”
If the purchase price exceeds 300 euros, which corresponds to the travel allowance from Switzerland, import duties must also be levied on dogs.
Criminal tax proceedings were initiated against the woman from Hamburg. After paying the import taxes of around 535 euros, the couple was able to continue their journey north with the new family member.
Further processing of the criminal tax proceedings was carried out by the responsible criminal and fine office at the main customs office in Karlsruhe.
Further information about traveling with pets such as dogs, cats or ferrets can also be found at www.zoll.de.