TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Requirements to bring a dog

One of our guests want to bring a dog, a 15 pound poodle, what if any paper work do they need?

thanks

This will get you started: Forms for bringing in a pet

Eric linked the SXM restrictions. You also have to consider airline restrictions. 15 pounds is a little big, but I assume the dog will fit in a carrier under the seat? Because if not, then the dog would need to go in cargo, which I personally would not do for a vacation situation. Assuming the dog fits under the seat, they will need to buy a 'ticket' for the dog. Various airlines charge various fees for that, could be $100 or more, they need to check with the airline. Also, airlines have a limited number of animals they allow per flight, so if/when they decide they want to bring the animal, they should buy the dog's 'ticket' at the same time as theirs, to ensure no issues there.

If the dog is too big to be "carried on" and has to go as checked luggage in the cargo hold most airlines have restrictions when it comes to outside air temperatures - if the temperature in the departure or arrival city exceeds or is predicted to exceed a certain level (for example 85 F.) the day you fly they will not allow the dog to fly. Check directly with your preferred airline for more information.

Correct. As I said, for a VACATION, no way I personally would subject my dog to the airlines in cargo anyway..

Some airlines will not even transport dogs in cargo and the ones that still do have restrictions on the number and also the weather/temperature.

I believe the weight limit for accepting dogs in the cabin is 20 pounds.

That's interesting, as I thought it was totally a function of the size of the carrier, not technically the weight at all. Could be, as I've never personally taken a dog on a plane.

I just did a quick search and some airlines use the 20# limit (it actually varied from 16# to 25# to no limit in some cases) in addition to a dimensional limit of the carrier. Regardless, the carrier must be of specific dimensions and it varies by airline and whether the carrier is rigid or soft.

There are also breed restrictions that come into play too.

Always best to check with the specific carrier for the most up to date information.

Here is a link but I would still check with the individual carrier as this information may not be accurate. The carrier will have the final say.

We travel all the time with our 14 pound Bichon. We have homes in the US and Sint Maarten. No one ever asks anything and we ignore the island forms, not a problem. We do have the dog checked prior to leaving the US for all vaccinations, etc. and have all her papers. I WOULD NOT submit a form to SXM as you probably won't get an answer within a few months, even if you do, there is no one checking at the airport, never has been (10 years) and probably never will be. We travel 5-6 times a year, no problem.

Don't be spooked, it will go smooth.

My understanding is that the requirements are new, as of 2014, or at least, were not enforced at all before then. Since your wife is a local, if they do ask, you might get by without any paperwork. As a visitor, I personally wouldn't want to risk it..

we had all the paperwork for our cat 10 years ago and no one cared.
Just saying. I would not try without it though.
Cheers
i

My friends who come for a few months got all the papers last year & were never asked, however, this year when they checked in at their airport in the US they were not going to let them take the dog because they did not do the SXM forms this time. Eventually they talked their way on to the flight but were told it was their problem if SXM would not let the dog in.....Stopped other friends of mine last year in SXM for the papers which fortunately they did have so better to be safe & have the papers then risk not be allowed in....

You might be right Carol especially since the dog does have a EU pet passport and we always go through the "local line" for immigration. Didn't think of the possible differences there. We don't even get stamped in.

I agree.

Always best to "play by the rules". Suggesting people do otherwise is not sound advice IMHO.