“AVI Customs Brokers” is a unique customs brokerage firm strictly dedicated to servicing live animals.
Pets are family and our expertise in the pet shipping industry will ensure that your pets are cleared through customs in a quick and stress-free process; at a reasonable cost; at any port across the United States!
At AVI Customs Brokers, we start with a simple belief: pets are family. So when your pet arrives in the United States, we don’t see “cargo” or “paperwork.” We see a loved one—and we know how important that moment is for you.
AVI Customs Brokers was created by Kari Mendoza, the owner of Island Pet Movers, after years of working hands-on with families moving their pets around the world. Since 2009, Kari has helped thousands of pet owners through international moves, and along the way, one thing became very clear: most customs brokers just aren’t set up to handle live animals.
Pets were being cleared like standard freight. Timing was missed. Urgency was overlooked. And too often, no one in the process truly understood what was at stake, at least not on a level like pet shippers do.
So Kari decided to change that. She took on the long, challenging process of becoming a licensed U.S. Customs Broker herself.
AVI Customs Brokers is a boutique customs brokerage that focuses only on one thing: clearing live animals at U.S. ports of entry.
We didn’t start as brokers—we started as pet shippers. That means our team understands real-world pet travel: delayed flights, late-night arrivals, last-minute changes, and the fact that pets can’t just sit in a warehouse and “wait until Monday.”
Because this is what we do every day, we know how to spot potential problems before they happen and how to work through them quickly when they do. Our experience helps keep pets moving safely, smoothly, and with as little stress as possible.
We also know that moving internationally is already expensive, and adding your pet can feel overwhelming. That’s why we keep our services straightforward, transparent, and fairly priced—without ever cutting corners on care or compliance.
At AVI Customs Brokers, we’re here to make sure your pet’s arrival into the United States is handled with care, urgency, and respect—because to us, they’re family too.
AVI Customs Brokers isn’t a general freight customs broker that also clears pets, we’re a customs brokerage built specifically for them.
When a pet arrives in the United States from another country, U.S. Customs requires certain documents to be reviewed before the animal can be released. A customs broker helps manage this process by checking paperwork, coordinating with the airline and government agencies, and addressing any questions that come up during clearance.
Our role is to help the process move forward efficiently and correctly, reducing unnecessary delays and helping your pet continue their journey as smoothly as possible.
Some ports of entry require a commercial entry, which requires a Customs Broker. Some are informal entries and allow pet owners to clear themselves – we like to think that our fee is reasonable enough, that client’s hire us for peace of mind even when it’s not required.
Kari is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker with more than 16 years of hands-on experience in international pet transportation. She founded Island Pet Movers in 2009, building a career centered on managing complex global pet relocations and working closely with airlines, veterinarians, government agencies, and professional pet shippers worldwide.
Her background gives her a practical, operational understanding of airline schedules, port procedures, regulatory compliance, and the heightened responsibility involved when clearing live animals.
Kari is an active, long-standing member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA). She has attended 14 IPATA conferences and delivered six industry presentations at international conferences including Dubai, Thailand and Panama, contributing to education and best practices focused on safe, ethical, and compliant pet transport.
By combining licensed customs expertise with decades of frontline pet relocation experience, Kari provides a level of insight and advocacy that distinguishes AVI Customs Brokers from traditional, freight-focused brokerages.
Kristi has worked hands-on with animals since 2014, beginning her career as a kennel technician before becoming a veterinary technician in 2016. She joined Island Pet Movers in 2019 and now serves as an International Pet Transport Specialist, focusing on complex pet moves across the globe.
With her veterinary background, Kristi brings a deep understanding of animal health, safety, and welfare to every relocation she manages. Her attention to detail and calm, knowledgeable approach help ensure pets travel safely and comfortably at every stage of their journey.
Since 2022, Kristi has also played a key role in growing AVI Customs Brokers, where she serves as the Lead Processor, overseeing pet clearances and ensuring smooth, compliant customs entry for pets arriving in the United States.
Leah officially began her career in pet relocation in mid-2023 with Island Pet Movers, but her experience started several years earlier through relocating her own dog, Lexi.
As part of frequent military moves, Leah personally managed Lexi’s relocations from Florida to Japan and later from Japan to Hawaii, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges families face when moving pets internationally.
Through this experience, she developed a strong understanding of pet customs clearances, import requirements, and documentation, helping ensure each pet’s arrival is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
With a thorough approach to her work and genuine compassion for animals, Leah is a dedicated advocate for every pet she assists throughout their relocation journey.
Ashley brings hands-on veterinary and animal transport experience to AVI Customs Brokers, ensuring pets are always treated as living family members—not paperwork.
She spent three years managing veterinary operations overseas, caring for large working-dog programs and supporting complex international medical travel for pets needing advanced care.
Ashley also helped plan and support large-scale pet evacuations during emergency relocations, where timing and animal welfare were critical. She has trained handlers in emergency pet care and understands how to stay calm and precise in high-pressure situations.
This real-world experience allows Ashley to anticipate issues before they happen and keep pets moving safely and efficiently. With Ashley, your pet’s comfort, safety, and timely clearance always come first
Let AVI Customs Brokers handle your pet shipments efficiently and safely.