How I imported my puppy from Finland to the UK

Kate Acheson-Dumbravă - November 2022

When I looked into driving to Finland, it would have been 24 hours non-stop according to Google Maps... and then another 24 back. That seemed a really long time to be on the road, and I didn't want to eat into any more of that precious puppy socialising time than necessary. 

So I worked out flying had to be a part of my journey. The more I looked into flying from Helsinki to Heathrow (the only airport in the UK that would be able to process my dog from a Finn Air flight), the more expensive and impossible it seemed. Dogs that come into Heathrow require a LOT of documentation, which must be prepared by a customs broker in the country of origin. I was quoted €3000 for this service, before tax. VAT would have been charged at Heathrow by customs on these fees, as well as the VAT on the cost of the dog. That's before any of my own flight and travel costs. And then, my poor puppy would have had to wait 8-10 hours for processing. And what if something hadn't been right with the paperwork?

Having already driven a few years prior with one of my dogs over the UK border via a ferry (I lived in Romania and brought my dog when we moved to the UK), I knew that this was pretty straightforward and hassle free with the Pet Passport. We'd been able to check in at the ferry terminal and over the channel we went. 

So, how could I fly to save on travel time, and still drive over the border? Cue a lot of head scratching...

I chose to book my flights from Paris-Helsinki on my own, and then a return flight from Helsinki-Paris with the puppy. This way I could drive to Paris, leave my car there, and then return to England via the Eurotunnel. Paris is my closest big non-UK airport from my home in Dorset, but Amsterdam or Brussels would have also been options. At the time I travelled, there were also a lot of flight cancellations and Paris-Helsinki seemed the least affected route out of all my options.

I was invited to stay in Finland for a week, which was an incredible experience. This meant my costs for staying over there wouldn't necessarily be the same as anyone else's as I rented a car and stayed much longer than is normal. I appreciated the bonding experience with my puppy before travel.

The flights cost me about €300, followed by an extra €90 to book the puppy on a one way flight. After I'd booked my tickets, I submitted a request to Finn Air who have space for 2 dogs per flight in the hold. Kai Ken puppies are too big and heavy to fly in the cabin, so the hold was the only option. As I booked in advance, this was approved quickly and easily. I had organised a suitably sized flight crate and bedding with Mika's breeder (I purchased one from her second hand). I brought out my own flight crate water bottle (like a hamster bottle) as these are apparently difficult to get hold of in Finland, but very easy to get on Amazon UK!

Once I'd secured my flights and had it confirmed that there was space for a dog, I booked parking near Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (€95 for a whole week). I also booked a hotel (€35) the night before my flight to Helsinki, and a night for when I arrived back in France with the puppy (€45). 

I decided to book hotels so I could be very specific about my timing with the Eurotunnel so I didn't have to pay for Flex tickets. By staying a night in Paris, I could get up really early and make it to Calais for my time slot. The Eurotunnel cost me about €320 in June 2022 both ways in a van. I chose the Eurotunnel as you can stay with your dog, and the journey time is much shorter than the ferry (only 35 minute crossing). 

The morning of my flight from Helsinki to Paris, I had arranged to take Mika to her breeder's vet for her tapeworm medication in Finland. Mika's breeder is very experienced, and had already made sure that Mika's EU pet passport was exactly as needed for UK border control (microchip and rabies vaccination 21 days before). To enter the UK, tapeworm medication containing the active ingredient praziquantel must be administered and signed off by a vet in the pet passport 24-120 hours before travel. Even though Finland is excluded from the tapeworm treatment requirement for entry to the UK, France is not, so by travelling via France this was a really important step to remember. From memory, I don't think this cost more than €50 for the appointment. From here, we left straight for our flight from Helsinki. 

Fuel probably cost a further €150 from my home to Paris and back. The round trip cost me a little over €1000 (not including costs of staying in Finland or car rental). It could have been done cheaper (e.g. ferry), but I was prioritising smooth travel, minimum time separated from my puppy and short journey times over costs. In total, even with travel expenses, Mika cost me less than or the same as other family member's pedigree dogs, and I got a holiday in Finland. 

​Arriving at Helsinki Airport

When we got to Helsinki Airport, they were fully prepared for dogs travelling and were clearly very used to it. I checked in for my flight, dropped of my suitcase and went to the oversized baggage desk to process Mika. I had arrived in plenty of time for my flight, and wanted to leave it as long as possible before dropping Mika off into the great unknown (which I had to do before heading off into security). We hung out in the airport together until about an hour before boarding as the security queue wasn't too bad. There was a pet relief area which we only found by chance so it's worth asking a staff member!

When the time came, I went to the Finn Air check in desk again and they called over a special pet check in person. They checked the crate dimensions, that she had water, and some absorbent bedding. We took her collar off and attached it to the crate. I gave Mika a big cuddle, and we cable tied the front of Mika's crate closed. I'd recommend taking some of your own cable ties just in case the airport don't have any. Anyway, off she went behind some big doors I wasn't allowed through. 

Off I went through security, and boarded the plane. Before take off, I asked the flight attendants to double, triple check that they definitely had my dog on board! They were very obliging and checked with the pilot that yes, there was a little stripy puppy secured underneath. They'd also taken the trouble to check on her welfare with the pet team, and yes she was fine. No screaming, no trouble! Not stressed. Phew. 

Also she had a big ticket on her create which said 'From Hel', which made me smile. 

Spending some time in Helsinki airport. Mika didn't like being wheeled in the crate and was much happier walking beside it.

Paris. Where on earth have you put my puppy?!

The Finnish side of the experience was very smooth. The French side was .. stressful. I couldn't find a shred of information online before I left, which is one reason I'm writing this. Forewarned is forearmed. 

I arrived and went to the baggage collection area, assuming that there would be a nice big sign saying "come and collect your pets here". No. Nothing of the sort. I asked at customs (the only people around I could see to ask where to go). I got a sneery "we are not pet sitterz". I finally found the 'we've lost your suitcases' desk and asked them. They had no clue. But maybe oversized baggage. I'd already checked there a few times. On what felt like my 100th lap of the hall, I caught sight of a lonely little crate dumped by one of the big glass doors overlooking the runway. It was kind of close to the oversized baggage, but was not attended as it should have been. I breathed a huge sigh of relief! I'd found her. No thanks to Charles de Gaulle Airport. 

Ah, you think the horror is over?

Remember, Mika's crate was cable tied shut. I'd checked before I left and was assured that at all airports there was a desk to welcome pets in and they always had scissors to get into the crate. As I had discovered, there was no such desk and definitely no scissors. I knew Mika would need to get out, have a pee and have some water (she hadn't understood her bottle at all). I rushed through the customs checkpoint and found an airport coffee shop. Well, it must have been the only coffee shop without scissors in the world as I got a very firm "no". 

In a panic, I followed the signs to the rental car desks hoping that one of them might have a little bit of stationary. Europcar thankfully not only spoke English, but were also able to locate some scissors. I'm not sure Mika really cared, but I was going out of my mind. Thank you Europcar!

Note to self, or anyone reading this, put some scissors in your suitcase. 

Finally, off to the hotel in Paris ready for our early start to catch the Eurotunnel train. 

However traumatised I may have felt, Mika was very calm and was totally happy after the flight.

Conked out in the hotel room after a full day's travel

Eurotunnel and Home

The Eurotunnel was a breeze. We got there a bit early, but they also let us on early (despite not having flex tickets) as it wasn't too booked up. We went to the pet check in area where we handed over Mika's passport for checking. This took no longer than a few minutes and I got congratulated on my nice 'Dutch Shepherd' puppy by a stranger. There was an area for Mika to stretch her legs. 

We boarded the train (you drive onto a big train and park up). We chilled out for half an hour and had a cuddle and nap in the front of the van, and then made our way from Dover to Dorset. 

Checking in at the pet reception in Calais. This only took us a few minutes

Finally home and making friends, taking in the sights and smells of England

Enjoying a leg stretch at a service station in Kent.

Mika settled into the pack extremely quickly and easily, despite how tired she must have been after two days travelling