Flying a Sport Horse from Europe to the USA: Costs, Quarantine, and Steps
What does it cost to fly a horse from the Netherlands to the United States? An honest overview of costs, quarantine, paperwork, and planning — step by step.
More and more buyers from the United States are purchasing their sport horses in the Netherlands or Germany. This makes sense: the selection is large, the quality is high, and prices are often lower than in the US itself. But how do you actually get such a horse to America? In this article, we honestly list the costs, quarantine, and steps.
What Does It Cost to Fly a Horse to the USA?
Expect €8,000 to €15,000 for the entire process, depending on the destination, airline, and season. This amount roughly consists of:
- —Flight: €6,000–€11,000. Horses fly in so-called "air stalls", usually with two or three horses per container. If you fly with a full container (shared costs), it becomes cheaper per horse.
- —Quarantine: €1,000–€2,500, depending on gender and duration (see below).
- —Blood tests and paperwork: €300–€800 for the mandatory tests and health certificate.
- —Transport to the airport and on the American side: €500–€1,500, depending on distances.
A specialized horse transporter (an equine shipping agent) arranges all of this and provides a fixed price quote in advance. We work with trusted partners and are happy to assist.
Quarantine: How Long Does It Take?
Upon arrival in the US, every horse is required to undergo quarantine at an approved station (e.g., New York, Miami, or Los Angeles):
- —Mares and geldings: minimum 3 days, plus a CEM test for mares (can extend up to approximately 2 weeks).
- —Stallions: longer quarantine due to additional CEM procedures, expect 2 to 4 weeks.
Before departure from Europe, the horse is already tested for CEM, dourine, glanders, and infectious anemia, among others. These results must be obtained within a fixed number of days before the flight.
The Steps from Purchase to Arrival
1. Purchase and vetting. After the purchase, the horse is clinically and radiologically vetted (if desired). We supervise the vetting and ensure that the reports reach the correct veterinarian. 2. Blood tests. The transporter schedules the mandatory blood tests, coordinated with the desired flight date. 3. Flight booking. Flights depart weekly from Amsterdam (Schiphol) or Liège to New York, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles. 4. Export documents. The health certificate is signed by a government veterinarian; the transporter handles customs clearance. 5. Flight and quarantine. The horse travels with a professional groom and enters the quarantine station upon arrival. 6. To the new owner. After quarantine, the buyer picks up the horse, or a local transporter brings it to the stable.
In total, the entire process from purchase usually takes 3 to 6 weeks.
Is It Worth It?
For many American buyers, yes. A KWPN or Holsteiner show jumper or dressage horse of comparable level often costs 20 to 40 percent more in the US than in Europe. Even with transportation costs included, buying in the Netherlands is often more advantageous — and the selection is much larger.
How We Help
Avante Horse Sales supports international buyers from the first video to arrival in the USA: we arrange vetting, connect you with reliable transporters, and remain available until the horse is in your stable. View our current offerings or contact us for advice on a specific horse.
