HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I am moving from the U.S. to London over the summer and am not sure how to transport my hermit crabs. I could not find any information elsewhere and am not sure if it is allowed. There are restrictions on bringing foreign soil or sand to the UK and I'm not sure if my crabs can survive long without substrate. It will be especially difficult if any are molting. I don't want to give my crabs away since i've had my oldest one for 6 years and have spent a lot of time and money. I currently have three crabs. If anyone knows how I can move them or has experience moving crabs overseas, I would appreciate your help.

I found this online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-n ... ve-animals

I know the UK has some very strict guidelines since they are isolated by ocean and want to keep their native wildlife safe. There should be a government office that handles importing pets that could answer your questions and tell you how to do it legally.

The big one will be the airline - not all will allow crabs on the plane, or they may make you pay the pet fee for each one. (Both have happened to members in the past.) You'll need to check ahead of time and get it in writing that they'll be allowed. If the people at the gate refuse them entry you may end up getting screwed.

You wouldn't be able to transport a molter underground that far anyway. You'd have to dig it up to move it. I doubt they would allow anything natural through customs, so you might have to make do with moist paper towels for any potential molters and to keep the crabs moistened and give them some cushion. Its not the best, but it would be safe enough for a few days.

Oh wow!!! Keep us posted on what all takes place!!!
Where are you moving from?


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I'm in the UK and we have pretty strict laws when it comes to animals like we're not legally allowed to ship vertebrates unless it's by courier but the laws on inverts aren't as strict I think there's something out there on bringing inverts in but it can be done


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