International Pet Shipping - Do It Yourself
In order to ship your pet
outside of the country that your pet is located in, you
will need to contact the cargo department of the airlines that services
the origination and destination cities that your pet will be flying from
and to for the cost involved in the transit. When figuring your route,
you will need to keep your pet on the same airline as the airlines do
not interline pets. Your pet can change planes, and as long as they stay
on the same airline, the airlines will move them. If your pet must
change airlines, you will have to arrange to pick up your pet and
deliver them to the next airline. Be aware that if you have to clear the
customs area at the airport, you need to meet import requirements of the
country where the airport is located.
The cargo department of the airline you are using will be able to tell
you about the export requirements of your country. Many countries,
specifically Central and South America, will require the services of a
pet transporter to process the documentation so that your pet can leave
your country.
As far as the destination country, each country has specific
requirements for the import of a pet. Sometimes preparations must be
made far in advance so that your pet will avoid quarantine in the
destination country. Other countries require Import Permits to enter. In
any case, you will need to become very familiar with the import
requirements of the destination country. You can find
pet import
information for over 240 countries at PetTravel.com and the necessary
forms in the Pet Travel Store.
You will need to plan to take your pet to the veterinarian shortly prior
to travel so that they can complete the official Veterinary Certificate
for your destination country and APHIS Form 7001. Many countries require
that this document be certified by the USDA or CFIA if you are traveling
from the United States or Canada.
Your airline may require a
health certificate if
your vet does not have one. We also strongly recommend that, if you have
not already done so, have your pet micro chipped with a
pet microchip.
Pet identification is very important when a pet is traveling.
You will need an IATA compliant
pet crate
sized properly for your
pet. The crate must provide enough space for your pet to stand up and
turn around in the carrier. There must be at least a 3" clearance from
the top of head (or tip of ears if your pet's ears are cropped erect) to
the top of the crate. It must have a sturdy spring lock door and a
water/food bowl attached to the door so that airline handlers can access
the bowls. We suggest that you zip tie the door closed. The crate must
be marked adequately with Live Animal Stickers and your pet's
documentation must be attached to the crate. All wheels must be disabled
and the larger crates must not have handles. There must be ventilation
on all four sides of the crate. Also, many airlines are requiring that
the crate be fastened with
steel hardware as opposed to plastic
fasteners. We strongly recommend this.
You should not put anything in the crate with the exception of a crate
pad or shredded newspaper and an article of clothing with your scent on
it. Do not put kitty litter or any granular substance in the bottom of
the crate.
Here is more information on
shipping a pet by air.
You will need to drop off your pet 4 hours in advance of the flight at
the cargo department of the airline you are using. Take your pet for a
nice walk prior to crating.
After the flight, you will pick up your pet at the baggage claim area of
the airport. Your pet will be in the area of baggage claim where the
larger items will be. You will need to clear immigration at the customs
gate. Depending on the country, your pet may have to be inspected by the
country veterinarian at the airport. Additionally, your pet may be taken
into quarantine at this point should the country require it.
Keep your pet in the crate until you are outside of the terminal unless
otherwise directed by customs officials.