So, in order to leave Switzerland and not foist our parrots off on one of the travelling circuses or a lake pirate, we had to get them a CITES permit from the federales. Not only was the permit application dead simple, we got it...get this...three days later. A week later, naturally, we get the giro for the unmentioned permit fee.

Tremulously opening letter, expecting to get Switzerlanded once more.....

...

wait for it.....


20 CHF.




Wait...what?

yes, 20 CHF. Less than a steak (oddly, though, almost exactly the price of two whole chickens in Migros...hmmm.....).

quite shocking... still trying to get over that information...

Maybe not that shocking but I admit to flinching when I opened the letter.

Hmmm indeed. Does anyone know what happens to the parrots when the owners don't pay the 20 CHFies

They end up in Migros for around 20.-

You mean... 'two whole chickens in Migros'
Edit. Damn! Paddy G beat me to it!

There are days, when they are acting out and my wife is trying to get a project done for school, when I would not be surprised to come home to a nice quiet chicken dinner.

No animals were harmed in the making of this ad. Yet.

I had a similar experience recently. I also had to bring something in via Zrh airport that needed a CITES permit. a Month ago I completed a form from the Swiss website, applying for the CITES permit, emailed it to them. 2 days later received the CITES permit in the post. It was completely free of charge.

Attached had a letter saying how to proceed with it, eg to take the item to the Zrh customs official at arrival (airport), have export permit from the one country, then Import permit from CH, and goods on hand.
I did that, had it all and yes.... I had to pay import duty, but at least the document was free etc.

Somehow I could have walked straight through, and not have declared the goods. But I did not wanted to take that risk...and instead got it in all legal and that. BUT, the process was so easy.

Now just make sure you're arriving at a designated port and that you have an appointment with the service veterinarian.

I always bitch about how easy they make it to travel with cats, but dammit all, the hoops bird people have to jump through make traveling with dogs look like kindergarten rules.

Yeah, we've complained that you can get on a plane with your plague-ridden cat and your unvaccinated children but Oh!, God! you can't step on a plane with a bird! Ahhh! It might destroy the nation!