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.