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Transiting a Country with a Pet

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When relocating a pet, it is always best to choose direct routes, even if they are more expensive. Less handling means less stress for your pet. Increased activity also means more expectations that they have arrived and (if flying in the cargo hold) will see their owner soon. Unfortunately, direct routes are not always available, and your pet’s itinerary may involve a stop in an intermediary country. So, what do you need to know about transiting a country with a pet?

Why will My Airline Refuse to Accept My Pet on a Direct Flight?

For very long flights, your airline may mandate a rest stop which may involve kenneling or claiming your pet for any warm-blooded animal whose flight time lasts 9-12 hours or longer in the cargo hold. The flight time starts at tender (check-in) time through recovery (which could be up to 2 hours after arrival at final destination). The duration will depend on animal welfare regulations in the country where the airline is based.

You should work with your airline about comfort stops if your trip will be long.

What is the Difference Between a Layover, a Stopover and a Transit?

A layover refers to any type of connection between two legs of a flight. Layovers can be just enough time to get to the next flight or hours depending on the itinerary. A layover can involve the same airline company or two different airline companies. It is a pretty flexible term but basically refers to a stay in an intermediary airport of less than 24 hours.

A stopover is when the time between flights on the itinerary is more than 24 hours. Many pet owners like stopovers as it gives both them and their pets a break while traveling to rest and be together during their trip. The downside to a stopover is that your pet will need to conform to the stopover country’s regulations. If these regulations call for quarantine, then there is a real chance you and your pet will be separated while your pet stays in isolation.

Related: Pet import requirements for over 220 countries

A transit occurs when:

  • Your pet’s itinerary does not change from domestic to international or vice versa and
  • your pet is flying in and out of the intermediary airport with the same airline company, and
  • your pet does not need to clear security at the airport to board the next flight.

What Does Your Pet Need When They are Transiting a Country?

In general, when transiting a country, your pet does not actually enter the country but just passes through it. In most cases no documentation is needed for that country if it is truly a “transit” although there are a few countries that require a transit permit such as the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore. These permits must be secured in advance of travel from a government agency that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

There are three scenarios involving an intermediary airport when relocating a pet:

  1. Your pet will be changing airline companies.
  2. Your pet will be changing airplanes but will fly in and out with the same airline company.
  3. Your pet will stay on the same airplane (flight numbers on the itinerary will not change).

Pets traveling in the cabin of the aircraft

If your pet is traveling with you in the cabin of the aircraft and you get off of one flight and go to the gate for the next flight (which is served by the same airline) without going through customs, then your pet is “transiting” the country with respect to pet import regulations.

As long as you remain in the secure area of the terminal with your pet, no regulations must be met with 2 exceptions:

  • If a transit permit is required (see a list of countries above) OR
  • Your pet is transiting the European Union (EU) See topic below.

You should check with your airlines to see if the arrival and departure gates are in the same terminal (they usually are) or international terminals are connected and clearing security is not required for access between terminals (they usually are).

If you clear customs with your pet, then you have entered the intermediary country and must comply with those countries’ rules.

If you have a long layover and wish to take your pet outside for a walk, then you will go through customs and will also enter the intermediary country. This is why researching pet relief areas in your intermediary airport is wise.

And, if you change airline companies in the intermediary country, then you will clear customs as you will need to recheck your pet on the next airline and pay the associated fee (if this cannot be done in advance).

Pets traveling as checked baggage or air cargo

In most cases, if your pet is traveling in the cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo, it will be transferred from one airplane to the next as long as your pet stays with the same airline company. In this case, your pet is just transiting the country. This is only true if your pet arrives in the intermediary country on the same airline that it will depart on to its next stop or its final destination.

If flying as checked baggage, the transit should be under 3 hours. When flying as air cargo, the layover can be longer, especially if your airline has an animal care facility at the intermediary airport.

However, if your pet is changing airline companies in the intermediary airport, then your pet must be claimed at baggage claim (checked baggage) or the airline’s cargo facility (air cargo), clear customs and rechecked on the next airline*. In this case, your pet does enter the country and must comply with that country’s import regulations.

*The reason for this is that airlines do not interline** pets unless they have an extremely close code sharing relationship or are co-owned. It also does not matter who owns the route. It is the airline that operates the route that sets the rules.

**Interlining is the movement of your pet being transported as checked baggage or air cargo from one airline company to another.

If your pet must change airline companies, it may be possible to arrange for a licensed pet transport agent in the layover country to pick up your pet from the first airline and deliver it to the next airline if flying as air cargo. This can be done by a licensed pet transport agent.

Pets staying on the same aircraft

If your pet stays on the same airplane in and out of a layover country, then this is a true transit. If the flight numbers on your itinerary remain the same on your itinerary on both legs of your trip, then your pet will remain on board the same aircraft and no regulations will be required.

Transiting the European Union

The Animal Health Law went into effect in 2021 and enforcement has been phased in from that time. This law requires that all live animals entering or transiting the EU must conform to regulations to enter the EU whether they enter the EU or not.

For pets transiting the EU from other EU Member States, an EU Pet Passport is sufficient for accompanied transport.

For pets transiting the EU from part 1 or 2 listed third (rabies-controlled) countries, then proof of a microchip, rabies vaccination and a Transit EU Health Certificate is required. The certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian and can be done when the health certificate for your destination country is issued.

The most impacting transit is for pets transiting the EU from unlisted countries. In this case, in addition to the documents listed in the paragraph above, the results of a rabies titer test must be available. This test must have been administered a minimum of 3 calendar months ahead of the transit. This is why planning is so important when routing your pet’s trip.

Routing a pet’s relocation takes a lot of planning and attention for the reasons stated above. Knowing exactly what is expected when transiting a country with a pet can make the difference between a smooth trip and a disastrous one.

Related: More information on routing your pet’s trip

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