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With the arrival of summer, the demand for travel among tourists has significantly increased. For parents who own cute pets such as cats and dogs, it is still difficult to embark on a spontaneous trip with their furry children. So what materials should be prepared in advance for pet transportation, and how to apply for the "Entry Exit Inspection and Quarantine Health Certificate" if going abroad? What should I pay attention to before leaving? (Note: The small animal air transport discussed in this article does not include service dogs that can enter the cabin to provide support for people with disabilities)
01. Which airlines can check in
The main airlines that can handle small animal transport include: Air China, China Eastern Airlines (including Shanghai Airlines), China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines (including Xinhua Airlines, Capital Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Fuzhou Airlines, Jinpeng Airlines), Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, Qingdao Airlines, Hunan Airlines, Longjiang Airlines, etc.
Currently, only Hainan Airlines in China is allowed to bring pets into the cabin. For other airlines, pet check-in will be placed in the aerobic cargo hold below the cabin. Therefore, not every flight can be checked in, and it is necessary to check if the flight has an "oxygen chamber" before booking the ticket.
Tip: For the safety of small animals, airlines have strict temperature requirements for any waypoint during transportation. For example, airlines such as China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Shandong Airlines have stipulated that small animals will not be accepted for consignment at any waypoint during transportation if the predicted temperature is below minus 12 degrees Celsius or above 30 degrees Celsius. The specific content can be found on the official website.
02. What materials need to be prepared
When applying for consignment, airlines usually require a small animal vaccination certificate, an Animal Quarantine Certificate, etc. International flights require the "People's Republic of China Entry Exit Inspection and Quarantine Health Certificate" and "Rabies Immunization Certificate" issued by the National Entry Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Department; Health declaration and certificate of rabies vaccine injection; Materials such as entry and exit permits or transit permits. In addition, some airlines also need to fill out the "Small Animal Transport Application Form", which can be downloaded from the airline's official website.
The small animal vaccine injection certificate, also known as the vaccine book, can be obtained after completing the rabies vaccine and applying for an immunization certificate. Specifically, 21 days after receiving the rabies vaccine, bring the small animal vaccine injection certificate (vaccination certificate), immunization certificate, and your own pet to the designated animal hospital for examination and obtain a disease detection report. Three days before travel, bring the vaccine booklet, immunization certificate, disease testing report, pet, and the air box needed for travel to the local animal quarantine department to obtain the "Animal Quarantine Certificate of Qualification".
Example of Animal Quarantine Certificate
When applying for the Animal Quarantine Certificate, it is necessary to bring an air box, as the airline company requires that the "disinfection status of the transport vehicle" column in the certificate must be filled in, and the document must be stamped with the quarantine seal of the Animal Health Supervision Institute. Please note that the validity period of this certificate is generally 3-5 days (mostly 3 days), and it is necessary to ensure that the certificate is still valid before the boarding review. If there is a holiday, it is usually possible to explain the situation to the staff and extend it to 5 days.
The Small Animal Transport Application Form can usually be downloaded from airline websites.
Sample of Small Animal Transport Application Form
Tip: When taking international flights, it is also necessary to meet the relevant requirements for small animal transportation in the country of entry or transit. For example, most European countries require rabies antibody serum testing. The specific procedure is to go to a regular pet hospital one month in advance to receive rabies vaccine, and then go to a designated hospital or institution one month later to draw blood and separate the serum. After receiving the report, some regions require three months before flying (subject to destination regulations).
03. How to apply for a health certificate for small animal entry and exit inspection and quarantine
Information: Flight ticket information, passport of the carrier, vaccine booklet, serum report, dog ID (2 sheets)
Tip: Go to a designated hospital or institution for exit procedures at least 7 days before boarding. It is recommended that dog owners and those who carry pets on the plane are the same person. If the pet is not checked in by the owner, the owner's ID card or passport photo, as well as a power of attorney, will be required. After the processing is completed, a receipt will be issued, and the pet will be taken to the customs for declaration and exit. Relevant proof materials will be submitted, and the pet will undergo on-site quarantine by customs staff, mainly including verifying the accuracy and validity of the pet's information, checking the pet's mental state, movement posture, body fur, respiratory rate, secretions, excrement, etc. to see if they are normal. If the verification materials are correct and the on-site quarantine is qualified, the customs will issue a "Health Certificate".
04. What are the requirements for checking in air containers
Try to purchase airline suitcases in advance and allow pets to adapt a few days before travel to avoid accidents caused by discomfort during check-in.
The aviation box should cover all domestic airline regulations as much as possible. The maximum packaging size should not exceed 90x60x66 centimeters, the minimum size should not be less than 5x15x20 centimeters, and the maximum weight should not exceed 32 kilograms. It must comply with the International Air Transport Association's regulations on live animals, such as requiring three sided ventilation/ventilation accounting for more than 16% of the total area, and no doors or ventilation openings at the top (Shenzhen Airlines allows top ventilation openings). In addition, ensure that the space in the small animal box is large enough for small animals to stand or sit freely, turn around, and lie down in a normal posture, ensuring air circulation and preventing suffocation.
The aviation box must be able to prevent fecal leakage to avoid contaminating the aircraft, onboard equipment, and other items. Water absorbent pads (such as towels, blankets) can be placed inside the box.
Tip: The transportation fee for small animals is calculated separately and does not include the free baggage allowance. The fee must be paid according to the overweight baggage standard. Passengers should transport small animals to the airport for check-in procedures 120 minutes before the expected departure of the flight on the day of boarding.
Air China
An application must be submitted at the time of booking and approved by Air China before small animals can be checked in.
Each passenger can only check in one small animal, and each aircraft can only carry one small animal.
Prepare the small animal quarantine certificate.
The specific requirements link is as follows:
http://et.airchina.com.cn/cn/info/travel-prep/luggage_information/small_animals.shtml
Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines actually operate direct flights. It needs to be processed 48 hours in advance.
Models without oxygen chambers cannot be transported, and pets cannot be checked in at temperatures below -12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) and above -30 degrees Celsius (inclusive).
The specific requirements link is as follows:
China Southern Airlines
We can transport dogs, cats, birds, or other recreational pets, but we do not accept short nosed cats or dogs.
The maximum size of the live animal cage packaging checked in by passengers should not exceed 90x60x66 centimeters, the minimum size should not be less than 5x15x20 centimeters, and the maximum weight should not exceed 32 kilograms. It should be separately packaged.
We only accept live animal transportation on direct flights (excluding stopover flights).
The specific requirements link is as follows (copy the link to open in the browser):
https://www.csair.com/cn/tourguide/luggage_service/pet
Hainan Airlines
Two pets can be checked in, and only one is allowed for international flights entering China.
Pet box+food+water not exceeding 32KG, temperature below -12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) and above -30 degrees Celsius (inclusive), no pet check-in required
The specific requirements link is as follows (copy the link to open in the browser):
https://www.hnair.com/lvxingxinxi/tsgh/tyxdw/
Sichuan Airlines
Each passenger can carry 2, and only 1 can be brought into China.
Only for direct flights, no connecting services are available.
The specific requirements link is as follows (copy the link to open in the browser):
https://www.sichuanair.com/baggage-restrictions/
