Immigrating abroad marks a significant turning point in life, requiring extensive preparation. Pet owners who wish to bring their pets along must consider how to transport them overseas. Now, there is no need to worry about ‘sending pets’ anymore. PET TRAVEL, a professional animal transport company, has prepared a comprehensive guide on pet transportation, aiming to assist you in successfully air-traveling your animals overseas.

For many years, PET TRAVEL has been providing a wide range of animal transport services to our valued customers, including pet relocation abroad, pet repatriation, and pet travel. We can design various forms of animal transportation solutions based on specific circumstances.

Options for animal transport

Pet in hold: Pets are carried as in-cabin baggage, accompanying passengers on the flight and transported in the aircraft cabin. This method helps cat transport and dog transport with small size (with a crate weight of up to 7kg).

Checked as luggage: Pets are transported as oversized baggage, accompanying passengers on the flight and arranged to be carried in the aircraft’s cargo hold (equipped with air conditioning and lighting). This method of animal transport is generally suitable for medium-sized pets (with a crate weight of up to 32kg). Upon arrival of pet air transport, pets can be collected at the designated Oversize Baggage area in the terminal building.

Pet Cargo: Pets are transported as live cargo, arranged to be carried in the cargo hold of the aircraft (equipped with air conditioning and lighting). This method of pet transportation is generally suitable for large dogs (with a crate weight of 45kg or above) or for individual animal transport services without a passenger accompanying. After the pet cargo arrives at the destination, pets can be collected at the Air Cargo Station in the airport. This type of pet transport service incurs cargo clearance fees.

This method of animals transport is distinct from the previous two methods, in that pets are not accompanied by their owners on the flight, and are instead treated as cargo. It is generally used for larger pets, and incurs additional cargo clearance fees.

Typically, airlines exclusively accommodate pet friendly transportation bookings made by dedicated animal transportation professionals. Certain countries or regions have restrictions on pets being carried in the aircraft cabin, prohibiting them from being treated as overweight baggage. For instance, in destinations such as Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, pets must be transported as cargo when traveling by air, rather than being allowed as overweight or in-cabin baggage.

The following popular countries/regions require pets to be sent via pet cargo:

  • Australia and New Zealand
  • Hong Kong
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • South Africa

In these destinations, pet transportation services are specifically arranged as cargo rather than being permitted as in-cabin or overweight baggage.

Considerations for pet cargo transport

Is the environment safe for air cargo?

You can rest assured when choosing pet cargo transport for your beloved pet. Pets transport as air cargo are not placed together with other cargo; instead, they have their own dedicated compartment known as the “animal hold” or commonly referred to as the pet cabin, which is separate from other cargo. Similar to the passenger cabin of the aircraft, the pet cabin is equipped with temperature control devices to ensure your beloved pet does not experience extreme cold or heat. Furthermore, individual, isolated spaces are provided within the pet cabin, allowing each pet to have sufficient distance and space, ensuring ample ventilation.

FAQ

Considerations for pet cargo transport

Is the environment safe for air cargo?

You can rest assured when choosing pet cargo transport for your beloved pet. Pets transport as air cargo are not placed together with other cargo; instead, they have their own dedicated compartment known as the “animal hold” or commonly referred to as the pet cabin, which is separate from other cargo. Similar to the passenger cabin of the aircraft, the pet cabin is equipped with temperature control devices to ensure your beloved pet does not experience extreme cold or heat. Furthermore, individual, isolated spaces are provided within the pet cabin, allowing each pet to have sufficient distance and space, ensuring ample ventilation.

What is the difference between air transporting animals as overweight baggage and pet cargo?

Transport Animals Individually: If animals are transported as overweight baggage, you have the option to bring them on the same flight. However, certain countries/regions or airlines have specific rules that prevent animals from being considered as overweight baggage. Additionally, there may be limitations on the number of animals allowed on a single flight, typically ranging from 2 to 5, depending on the specific restrictions during different time periods. In the case of animal cargo transport, animals will have their own booking referred to as an airway bill. This means that your animal may arrive either before or after you. If pet owners are unable to travel with their animals, they can choose to transport them as “manifest cargo” instead.

International Pet Transport Fees: When pets are transported by air, the cost of transporting them as “manifest cargo” is significantly higher compared to traveling with the owner as overweight baggage. The difference in pet transport fees can vary greatly, and these fees are charged by the airline. PET TRAVEL, the pet transport company, directly provides customers with airline quotes for pet transport fees.

Customs clearance can be a timely and complex process when it comes to pet transport. If your pet is being transported as “manifest cargo,” you will be required to arrange customs clearance for your pet. In some countries, there may even be designated pet agents for customs clearance at the airport. PET TRAVEL, the pet transport company, specializing in pet-friendly transportation, can assist you with customs clearance services by connecting you with international pet relocation agencies, as well as providing pick-up and delivery services from overseas airports to your home.

If you require cat or dog transport service and are interested in utilizing our services, you can complete our quotation application form to inquire about pet transport costs. By providing us with relevant information regarding your pet’s travel, we can assist in facilitating your personalized pet relocation plan. Should you have any additional inquiries or concerns, please feel free to submit your details through our contact form or contact our dedicated consultants directly via WhatsApp at +852 6358 3131.

PET TRAVEL - A leading international pet transport service provider

PET TRAVEL, as a member of IPATA and ATA, and a licensed travel agency, brings extensive experience in transport animal and a dedicated team of pet immigration experts. We are committed to providing our customers with the best pet transport solutions at the most affordable prices. As a leading pet transport service provider, PET TRAVEL has been offering cat and dog transport services, as well as pet immigration assistance, to numerous pet owners for many years. Our focus is on facilitating pet transport, international pet relocation, and handling procedures such as quarantine exemption.

We take pride in offering personalized, one-on-one service to cater to your pet’s travel needs. Our dedicated team will handle all the necessary paperwork and secure cabin reservations for your furry friends. With years of experience and strong partnerships with major airlines, we have established reliable transportation channels, ensuring that we can provide you with the best route options available.

When you entrust us with your pet’s travel arrangements, we guarantee to transport them to their destination safely and efficiently, minimizing any stress or fatigue they may experience during the journey. Rest assured, our pet transport fees are affordable, so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re getting the best value for your money. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us – a simple phone call is all it takes to kick-start a seamless and worry-free pet transport experience.

With our extensive industry experience and a patient approach to service, PET TRAVEL has successfully assisted numerous pet owners in safely transporting their beloved companions. Our commitment to excellence has garnered us a wealth of positive reviews from satisfied customers, establishing us as a leading provider of animal transportation services. Whether it’s cat or dog transportation services, we handle each case with utmost professionalism.

At PET TRAVEL, we understand the importance of transparent pricing. That’s why our pet transport fees are reasonable and devoid of hidden charges. We believe in providing a straightforward and fair pricing structure, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their money. With us, you can trust that your pet’s journey will be handled with care, ensuring their safety and comfort every step of the way.

At PET TRAVEL, we are not just a professional pet service organization, but also passionate pet owners ourselves. Our team members have firsthand experience in caring for pets, and we bring that love and expertise to our work. With a strong sense of responsibility towards both pets and our clients, you can trust us to handle your beloved companions with the utmost care. Our guiding principle is to ensure that your pets reach their destination safely, comfortably, and in the shortest possible time.

We believe in providing compassionate care for pets, no matter where they are. Our goal is to minimize any stress or discomfort during their journey and to keep you, as the owner, well-informed about their well-being every step of the way. The heartfelt and dedicated service provided by PET TRAVEL has earned the recognition of countless customers who have entrusted their pets to us.

If you have any pet transport needs, whether it’s dog transport, cat transport, or any other pet air transport requirements, feel free to reach out to PET TRAVEL. We will gladly provide you with information on pet transport prices and fees, along with professional advice and comprehensive air transportation services tailored to your needs. Your pet’s well-being and your peace of mind are our top priorities.

TRAVELING UNACCOMPANIED

If a pet is traveling as excess baggage, you can take your pet with you on the same flight. However, in some countries and airline regulations, pets cannot be carried as excess baggage. Sometimes, airlines would also have limits on the availability for pet travel on one flight, usually will be 2-5 availability according to different periods. When a pet travels as manifest cargo, they are booked on their own ticket (called an air waybill). In other words, your pets may arrive before or after you do. If the pet owner cannot travel with their pet(s), they could also choose to ship their pet as manifest cargo.

COST

Pet travel as manifest cargo is typically more expensive than pet travel as excess baggage with their owner. This price difference often accounts for a significant portion of the overall pet relocation cost. The airline determines this cost, and our company provides the airline quotations directly to our clients.

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

Customs clearance can be a complex and time-consuming process. When your pet(s) travel as manifest cargo, it is necessary to arrange for customs clearance services. In certain countries, there may be designated pet agencies at airports that handle this task. Our company can assist you by liaising with foreign pet relocation agencies to ensure a smooth customs clearance process. Additionally, we can arrange for pick-up and delivery services from the foreign airport to your home.