Transporting Live Animals by Air – Safely
Transportation of live animals by air is carried out in accordance with the IATA (Live Animals Regulations).
AirSPS handles all live animals transportation by air, send your request by email and receive detailed advice – [email protected].
Regulations for live animals transportation by air
The shipper must coordinate the shipment of live animals with our experts in advance (no later than 48 hours prior to shipment). Export/import and transit permits, as well as a veterinary certificate of the prescribed form must be obtained in a timely manner.
The Customer shall comply with all requirements regarding government restrictions on air transportation of animals. The animal must have the necessary certificates (e.g., health certificate, etc.), quarantine regulations before preparing the animal for shipment.
Animals presented for shipment must be in good condition (healthy) as well as fit to be transported to their final destination. The shipper must notify the carrier if the animal is pregnant or has given birth within the last 48 hours. Animals declared as pregnant are accepted for carriage only on presentation of a veterinary certificate confirming that the animal is fit for carriage and there is no risk of birth during carriage. Infected, sick or wounded animals will not be accepted for carriage.
The shipper is responsible for providing reliable information on the state of health of the animal.
The Carrier shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense arising during carriage by air from death or injury to an animal, whether due to natural causes or when such injury is caused by the animal’s own conduct.
Nor shall the carrier be liable for injury or death to an animal caused by defects in the container, or the animal’s inability to withstand changes in its natural environment during carriage by air.
Packaging and labelling
Containers, cages for transportation of live animals shall be provided by the shipper.
All containers for transportation of live animals shall comply with general requirements of IATA for transportation of live animals.
For safety reasons animals are only allowed to be transported in closed containers. The bottom of the container/cage must be watertight and covered with absorbent material.
The size of the container should correspond to the size of the animal accepted for transportation.
Water and food necessary for the animal during the flight should be inside the container.
Containers shall be dry and clean in order to avoid contamination of the aircraft and have facilities for loading and unloading in order to avoid injuries to personnel.
The shipper is responsible for all necessary markings and labelling of each container with the animal. Each container must have sufficient space to affix the required signs and markings.
Each container shall bear
- The full name, address, and 24-hour contact telephone number of the shipper and consignee;
- The scientific and common name of that animal and the number of animals in the container as shown on the shipper’s certificate;
- Containers carrying poisonous animals must be marked “Toxic”. Containers carrying animals or birds that may bite or harm through wires or vents must be marked “These animals bite”;
- As a rule, tranquilizers are not used when transporting live animals. However, if such medication is used, it should be noted on the container.
