Urgent Hamm Coach Info

[CBR1100XX]

Originally Posted by tarantulabarn

It has come to our ntention that one of our passengers intends to buy loads of snakes to sell to a rather well known and dislikes pet shop in essex, (w,,,,s), and going to pack them in sacks to save space and squeeze them in his allocated boxes,

THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

Al boxes have to be checked prior to loading and you need to fill an inventry form in for customs

ANYONE FOUND BREAKING THE RULES WILL BE LEFT IN GERMANY

Transportation of Animals

1. The transport of animals on the coach is covered by our SVS animal transport licence.
2. We will NOT cover animals obtained for resell, or for 3rd party collection where a collection fee is payable in any way.
3. Any animals covered under the above are deemed as a commercial activity and as such are due to have VAT, and other such fees, paid upon the return to the UK. We will not provide any assistance in this matter save to ensure other passengers are not effected or delayed.
4. Any charges raised by HMC are the responsibility of the animal owners.
5. Passengers are advised to get receipts for ALL livestock, and to make sure they have all the cities paperwork needed for any livestock purchased.
6. The organisers will not be held responsible for any seizures by customs for any reason.
7. In order to cover any animals as above, we will request an inventory form be completed showing the contents of any boxes you lay claim to. This will assist the whole coach in the case of inquiry from customs
8. Passengers are responsible for packing their boxes securely to avoid death or damage to their livestock and the organisers will not be held responsible for any damage or deaths that occur for any reason. All livestock should be clearly and accuratley labled with Latin names to aid identification.
9. No DWA species may be carried unless the owner provides a copy of their DWA licence, in advance, all other paperwork is in order, the animal(s) are securely contained and travel on the lower deck with the organisers.
10. This is a reptile, amphibian and insect hobbyist show trip, and as such we will not permitt the carriage of any species other than reptile, amphibian or insect under ANY circumstances. Any passenger found to be breaching this rule WILL be reported and full assistance provided to the authorities involved

Sorry if there is a lotof shouting in this thread but it pi@@es me off that some one is willing to put everyone else in jeapardy to make a few quid!!

So I gather point 2 on this list will affect quite a few of your party or do you make exceptions for certain individuals.

[purejurrasic]

Originally Posted by fazer600sy

So I gather point 2 on this list will affect quite a few of your party or do you make exceptions for certain individuals.

OK, let me clarify it.

Its our transport licence that is in use. We are legally bound to ensure that ALL animals are fit for transport and are transported in accordance with the guide lines.

Both our licences permit us to transport livestock for commercial activities.

We have taken the descision NOT to generally cover animals on our license for commercial activities. Thats our choice. It was taken because we do not want to risk everyone being delayed or subject to inspection unduly.

Commercial activity has many effects, not just the sheer act of bringing the animals back, but in other areas as well, such as import duties and space.

A number of people have approached us with differing questions, some of which we have denied, others which we have allowed, depending on the circumstances and based upon advice from Inland Revenue and Customs.

In one case, an extra seat has had to be purchased to cover the space issue.

The issue that has brought this to the forfront involves the purchase of animals to sell on at a profit to one outlet, and the planned way of transporting them.

Our rules are made to protect everyone on our trips, it is not possible to make rules for every single situation, so as and when we have been approached, we have looked into each case on it merits and made a decision based on those merits and advice from different legal bodies.

Whilst we may or may not agree with the laws in the country, we are duty bound to observe them, and will take any steps needed to protect our passengers.

The last thing we want is someone to buy animals and be hit with large import duties at customs, IR investigations, or animal welfare issues.

We have already pointed out some issues on this very thread, and yet still someone was planning on breaking our rules, and trying to hide it from us.

If people are totally honest with us, and talk to us, we can help overcome any possible problems and ensure they do indeed stay with in the law.

The reptile hobby as a whole is under enough presure with out us giving a 'free for all do what you want aslong as you pay us' trip

If anyone has concearns or wishes to discuss individual situations, then we are always availble, via pms on rfuk, direct email or via the web site.

Hope that clarifys our posistion.

Tony

[purejurrasic]

Ok, an update.

By working closely with different agencies, we have so far identified at least 3 possible passengers that present a risk to themsleves (and a delay to everyone)

We DO know your plans, we are aware and WILL be checking.

At this stage, you have done nothing wrong, please keep it that way and keep the reptile hobby untarnished by your self indulgent and/or get rich quick schemes.

Please, dont let the hobby, your fellow passengers, us, and yourselves down.

[Young_Gun]

Are the rules the same for every person on the coaches, no exceptions?

[Hamish]

Something that TB and PJ have not pointed out is the fact that if people dont like the rules TB and PJ have regarding the trip that TB and PJ have spent so much time organising for people like me (who couldnt even think about how i would do it on my own) and many others, those thinking that said rules are to harsh have the freedom and the right not to go on the coaches but instead make their own way to hamm and take whatever chances they want in their own vehicles.

[purejurrasic]

Originally Posted by Young_Gun

Are the rules the same for every person on the coaches, no exceptions?

I dont quite understand why you have asked the same question as fazer? Are you wanting to smuggle something in, and want our permission? or to jam 100 snakes into one tesco shopping bag to fool everyone into thinking you only have a few?

As we have said many times, our 'rules' regarding the animal side of things are based on the law of the United Kingdom.

Although both steve and I are really great guys, even we are not above the law and can not give special permission to any one to effectivly smuggle animals into the UK.

If some one has special requests, and we can accomodate that with out affecting other passengers or transgressing the law, we will try to help.

[purejurrasic]

Originally Posted by Hamish

Something that TB and PJ have not pointed out is the fact that if people dont like the rules TB and PJ have regarding the trip that TB and PJ have spent so much time organising for people like me (who couldnt even think about how i would do it on my own) and many others, those thinking that said rules are to harsh have the freedom and the right not to go on the coaches but instead make their own way to hamm and take whatever chances they want in their own vehicles.

Yes, indeed.

Thanks for your support, it is getting somewhat , shall we say annoying.

[stuartdouglas]

If you know who these people are and what their intentions are, give 'em their seat money back and don't take them.

[darkdan99]

Personally, although not travelling this time (but intending to at a later date) I would Like to THANK both Tony and Steve, for all the effort and work they are putting into arranging this great service for our hobby.

The rules here are loosely the same as the rules for transporting them in your own vehicle, But due to the nature of the trip they are slightly more strict, which i welcome.

The last thing the hobby needs is a "SUN" headline along the lines of "150 reptile keeping nutters have been stopped at customs for smuggling reptiles (etc) into the UK"

Or somthing like that.

[purejurrasic]

Originally Posted by stuartdouglas

If you know who these people are and what their intentions are, give 'em their seat money back and don't take them.

We have considered this action, but as yet they have not broken any rules, theres just the chance they may try, so in all honesty, we dont have reason to ban them.

We are changing the rules slightly for the next trip, as with everything, they evolve, and we will then reserve the right to refuse a booking.

However, I am hoping that these involved are just misguided and once aware that thier actions are wrong, will reconsider and not try anything.

Everyone makes mistakes, Its just a mistake in this area has huge consiquences.