Hello,
I will get a hungarian pumi the end of january. What would be the best way to get the dog to the uk?
I don't drive and no one is willing to drive with me all the way to hungary and back. I read on the ba cargo website that gatwick and heathrow don't allow the public to deal with it any more, which means i have to use a company which makes it terribly expensive. I got one quote so far for £1300. I live just outside london, would it be possible to use another airport, where i could do it directly? Any ideas?

importing by cargo is very expensive - you would need to check on Defra website the airports, but really driving is the best idea - perhaps you can get the breeder to meet you half way?  Mind, that price isn't a bad one really by the time you add up fuel, time etc it would cost quite a lot to drive there and back.

Hello Pumi,

I'll make a few enquiries and PM you.

They look a fab breed and I know of a few people who have imported them in from Hungary... Can the breeder offer any advice on exporting to the UK?

I don't think £1300 is too bad. The other option would be to fly to Hungary yourself, pick pup up and fly it excess baggage to Schiphol, taxi to Hook (about 70km) then get the ferry Hook to Harwich and then hopefully either someone picks you up there or you get taxi and train home. To be honest though by the time you add your flights, ferry crossing, taxis and transfers it is going to be pretty expensive anyway.

Another point to consider is that the end of January is not a good time to plan a long journey, particulaly not to Hungary with snow and bad weather likely.

I imported a puppy from Slovakia but he flew from Prague to Manchester airport earlier this year. I used Ladyhaye, they were really helpful and it cost me exactly £500 for the flight, no extra charges at this end. My breeder organised buying the crate for him to travel in and taking him to the airport, and faxed all the paperwork through to them to check before he was put on the plane so we knew everything was ok before he flew
HTH

I brought a vizsla in using an overland courier company in July.  She was about 4 months & travelled for 24 hours.  The rescue group coordinated it & I picked her up near Heathrow.  It cost £160.  I have subsequently heard its dodgy as the companies don't have a livestock transport license - but I don't know if that is true or not.

Thanks for all your replies!
Will check out Ladyhaye and some other options.
I was in touch with a company which collects dog all the way from Hungary, Austria and Germany and brings them to the UK, but that sounds a bit too much for a little puppy, I don't want it to be on the road for 3 days or so.
The breeder recommended someone, but would drive directly from Budapest to only Dover, and charges £1000, too expensive, then I would rather take the cargo option.
Someone in the UK bought a puppy from a previous litter, they went there to pick it up and petrol and ferries cost about £600.

Would you be able to find someone to come with you to collect over there? I think
I know who you are getting the pup from and if I could take time off I'd be tempted to go with.. Is anyone else importing either to a nearer country or to the UK and they could travel together?

Just trying to think of other options for you..

My aussie was brought from Hungary to the Eyes of World Kennels in Belgium and then the owner brought it to the cross channel train and I went over and pick him up, that's and idea for you.

Ladyhaye was the best so far, they also quoted £500 from Budapest to Manchester. Just have to find someone now picking me up from there and driving to London.
A reply from another company was Euro 1400.
Haven't heard back from anyone else.

I can recommend Ladyhaye - and also the nice staff at Manchester. Good luck with your import :)

It's very naughty of Heathrow to not let you know that the £500+ (in 2011) they charge is on top of 'cargo' charges.  When I enquired for my friend when importing her boy they said quite clearly teh quote was all inclusive and on the day she had an extra £500 to pay out.  So over £1000 to ship a 20kg dog and crate from New York to Heathrow

It would have been cheaper to have had him flown to Manchester (if they make no extra charges), even with the extra cost of fuel to drive up.

I didn't pay any extra charges at Manchester in March this year

Have you looked at moveandparcel they import from Budapest to the UK

Just sent an email. Have to admit the website looks a bit strange, dog transport in the middle of parcel deliveries, removals etc.
Have you used them?

No but I do know a few people who have and were very happy with them.