I have had an enquiry from a lady in Sweden for one of my pups who are at present 2 weeks old.Having spoken at lenght with her i am thinking of taking her enquiry further(although feeling a little wobbly about exporting) as she is a very knowledable experienced lady who is wanting her for trialing thus training her to her full potential.
I would like to hear if anyone has any experiences on exporting to Sweden.I have rung defra and was told that puppy could not travel until after 12 weeks.I have no problem keeping her til then but am concerned that she would be over the weight limit to go in the cabin and would have to travel crated which would put me off completely.

I have other people on my list to place her with but didn't want to turn down  what i feel is a  first class home  due to me not having educated myself on the procedure.

Any thoughts and info appreciated.

DEFRA aren't entirely right here. If you're importing from the UK to Sweden, you CAN bring in a puppy less than 3 months old but the importer must then apply for an import license. That shouldn't be a big deal -I did that many, many times when I lived in Sweden and used to import small animals like hamsters from the UK.
Pass this link to the potential buyer (as it's in Swedish):
http://www.jordbruksverket.se/amnesomraden/djur/hundarochkatter/atttainhundarochkatterfranutlandet/tainvalparochkattungar.4.207049b811dd8a513dc8000544.html

Thankyou Marianne,that is very helpful.

Yes the lady in Sweden did say she had to apply for the licence but i wanted to check with Defra,seems like she is more clued up than they are!

Defra also told me that their rules for exporting to Sweden are that the pup has to have a rabies shot which cannot be given before 12 weeks but maybe the licence would make the pup exempt from that?!

If the pup is less than 3 months old it does NOT require rabies. :) That is also mentioned on the Swedish page. Swedish breeders are generally very used to importing from the UK as so many do it, so most will have a good grasp of the rules.

Thankyou again Marianne,very helpful.

When I exported a puppy to Finland last year he was over the weight and size limit dictated by the airline for cabin travel but when we went to checkin the owner just have to pay excess baggage charges...which made me laugh!

That would be great if Sweden were that relaxed about it.Do you know the approx weight limit for pup to travel in cabin?I'm getting conflicting  answers from Defra.

We are in the process of getting info to export to Holland and Spain, we need micro chip, vet report stating puppy fit for travel, Rabies Vacc (but unsure if needed as under 12 weeks of age), dog passport, and export pedigree/ papers. But I am only researching what is needed at the moment so could be wrong. DEFRA has made it quite complicated so am a bit cross eyed so I know how you feel.

Sweden has always had different rules to the rest of Europe.

Yes,tell me about it lol!!!

It's so frustrating.I'm pretty sure the lady in Sweden is able to sort alot of the admin out but i'm not sure what i need to do regarding pet passport and have just spoke to my vet who advised me to ask Defra!Arrrggghhh!!

I'm assuming that i get the passport from the vet to fill in when puppy is microchipped  but not sure.Or do i order pet passport from Defra,have just got off the phone from Defra who frankly didn't seem to have a clue.

Thanks all,your help is appreciated x

Your vet should have a supply of blank passports. All you then do is get him to fill in what has been done -normal puppy vaccination, worming (within ten days of arrival in Sweden), microchipping.

Here, a link to the Swedish ministry's website in English:
http://www.sjv.se/swedishboardofagriculture/engelskasidor/animals/import/dogsandcats.4.6621c2fb1231eb917e680002972.html

You can e-mail them via that page and it's absolutely fine to mail them in English and they will get back to you. :)

Thankyou Marianne, you're a gem x

For Holland  (and many other European countries) there is a small window of opportunity to take dogs out at 12 weeks or 3 calendar months (no one seems to be sure which) with a pet passport but no need for rabies injection. After that time you must give rabies vacc and then test before exporting.

Cheez Tooolz for clearing that up that's the bit that was confusing me

I exported 6 dogs when I moved to Sweden. All you need is a pet passport, dog can be microchipped or tattoed and the wormer given within 10 days of travel. Neither puppies nor adults  need a rabies vax for Sweden if coming direct from UK, Ireland or Malta. You can travel through Norway but if you travel via any other country you would need the rabies vax.

Thankyou Labsrus,that's very reassuring.

When Winston went to the US he did not have his rabies shot as he was 10 weeks old, and he travelled in the cabin with my friends who were having him. I think he was under 'house arrest' until 3 months when he could have the rabies shot. It might be similar for Sweden?

No Lucydogs, Sweden is a rabies free country and has an agreement with the UK so no rabies needed here at all (unless you enter from anther country.) Pity the UK does not have a reciprocal agreement as if I wanted to return my dogs would need the rabies vac and all that entails. Silly really when both countries are rabies free.

> he was 10 weeks old, and he travelled in the cabin with my friends who were having him. I think he was under 'house arrest' until 3 months when he could have the rabies shot

i wondered if you could do this.

I thought about getting a pup from Poland the other year after a lot of research to that line, but the same as you couldn't find and info and defra were no help but pure confusion.

I did read somewhere that they can come befor 12 weeks if proven not been in any contact with rabies, ie not left mum or gone outside but couldn't find anymore on it.  i began to think i was stupid not understanding.

Good luck with what you decide to do.  Did she say why she wanted to export ur pup.  Just out of curiosity.

i have exported to swden.....i have a tale of caution so feel free to pm me for info if you want it.