Before traveling with pets, please ensure that you meet the acceptance requirements.
Pets
Basic Regulations
Before traveling with pets, travelers must contact our booking department to confirm transportation terms at least 48 hours before the flight departure time. Travelers must also download two copies of the same Passenger's Declaration for Live Animals (Baggage), and submit one copy when checking in the pet at the check-in counter, and affix the other copy to the pet container. Pet transport services will not be accommodated without prior application.
- Transporting pets as baggage is a service that is only available for household cats, dogs (including Psychiatric Assistance dogs for specific routes) and only available on flights directly operated by China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines, this service is not applicable if the passenger’s itinerary includes connection with interline segments.
- Pets must be placed in appropriate containers and transported in the cargo hold as checked baggage. Due to cargo hold temperature control considerations, we do not accept pets as checked baggage on our B738 aircrafts.
- Each flight can check in the maximum of 8 cages, and each passenger who occupies the seat (including children and infants who occupy the seat) can check in the maximum of 2 cages. Please also note that if arrival/transit countries have the restrictions such as the limited amount of pets can be carried, please mainly follow the regulations in such countries. Some countries have special regulations and require pets to be shipped as cargo.
- One pet per container.
- The different weight restrictions may be imposed on AVIH based on local airport authorities’ restrictions taking into account carrying facilities or capacity limitations at various airports. If the combined weight of your pet and the pet container exceeds the limits of departure/transit/destination restrictions. Due to the aforementioned factors, it may not be accommodated. Please be sure to contact our booking department in advance.
Animal import and export regulations vary by country/region. Travelers must understand the relevant regulations before book your flight:
- Relevant required documents or certificate.
- Some countries have restrictions on the types and quantities of pets that can be imported.
- Is there a need for quarantine.
For Pets Entering the U.S. (including Hawaii and Guam)
- Pets must comply with the new regulations issued by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 1, 2024 (Please read carefully as there are different regulations regarding dog age, permissible entry airports, etc.). When booking pet transportation, checking in at the airport, and entering the U.S., you must present the relevant forms required by the CDC. According to CDC regulations, if any forms are missing or any madatory field is not fully completed, the pet transportation cannot be accepted. Pets that do not meet CDC requirements will be denied entry.
- Starting from February 1, 2025, for dogs entering the United States, we will provide you with an Air Waybill (AWB) as required by the CDC when you book pet transportation services. Please print a copy and sign the AWB and present it at the airport check-in and upon entry into the U.S., if you do not have an AWB, please contact our local offices to obtain it, or pet transportation cannot be accepted.
Other Notes:
- Passengers are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all documents, if pets are being denied entry and returned to the country of departure due to the following reasons, the owner must bear the associated costs.
- We do not transport newborn (less than ten weeks old) dogs and cats.
- Pets that have a strong odor can not be accepted either as checked baggage or cabin baggage.
- Pregnant pet and after giving birth pet acceptance limits:
- Pregnant pet has not been pregnant for more than 40 days.
- Pet may not be accepted for air travelling within 7 days after giving birth.
In order for airport personnel to have ample time to make arrangements, please arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight with your pet and check in.
Charge for Pet Transportation
Before traveling with pets, passenger must contact our booking department to confirm relevant charge and terms of transportation at least 48 hours before the flight departure time. Transporting pets as checked baggage (AVIH), in addition to regular charge for pet transportation, if the total dimensions of each AVIH exceed 292 cm (115 in), 2 pieces of excess baggage charge rate should be applied and can be accepted as checked baggage subject to space availability of cargo cabin on the flight. (Please refer to the Excess Baggage page for the charges)
- Passengers carrying pets as checked baggage should contact China Airlines in advance. Pets and pet containers may not be included in the free baggage allowance.
- Fees for transporting pets is determined by weight, including the weight of both the pet(s) and the container and following fixed rates are set for pets under 32KG.
- Weight > 32kg : Double fixed rate should be applied
Fixed rates for pets under 32KG:
Air Travel Pet Container Regulations
- The pet container must be of rigid plastic material as per IATA regulations, with only one door for the pet(s) to enter/exit, and can prevent the pet(s) from escaping or the claws from being exposed.
- The container must be able to allow the pet(s) to stand, lie down and turn in a natural manner. The pet(s) must be able to stand up without touching the roof.
Types of Air Travel Pet Containers:
- Only one door on the container, ventilation openings at 4 sides.
- The floor must be covered by absorbent bedding.
- The four sides of the pet container door must be secured with zip ties.
- Has a Live Animal sticker.
- There must be containers filled with water and food in the pet container.
- The outside of the pet container can be further reinforced with packaging straps.
Pet Container Dimension Requirements
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Measurement Definition
| Pet Container Size Dimension Requirements
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The External Measurements on the Length and Width of the Pet Container
As the checked pet normally will be loaded in the aircraft bulk cargo compartment during air transporting, the measurements on both height and width of the pet container will be limited as below:
- Max. external height of the pet container: 70 cm
- Max. external width of the pet container: 90 cm
Special Restrictions
Restricted Dog Breeds –The following fighting breeds of dogs or mixed breeds of such will not be accepted for carriage:
- Pit Bull Terrier (including: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier)
- American Bully
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Mastiffs (Neapolitan Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux)
The listed brachycephalic, snub-nosed or mixed breeds of snub-nosed dogs and cats will only be accepted for carriage in below countries/region and period:
- China (excluding PEK) / Hong Kong / Japan (excluding CTS) / Korea / Taiwan from DEC to MAR.
- Australia / New Zealand from APR to NOV.
- The total transportation time is less than 6 hours. (Include travelling, transit, and ground time)
- Kennel should be one size larger than normally required.
Snub-Nosed Dogs
- Affenpinscher
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffin
- Bull Terrier
- Chinese Pug
- Chow Chow
- Dutch Pug
- English Bulldogs
- English Toy Spaniel
- French Bulldogs
- Japanese Chin
- Japanese Pug
- Lhasa Apso
- Pekinese
- Pug
- Shih Tzu
- Tibetan Spaniel
Snub-Nosed Cats
- British Shorthair
- Burmese
- Exotic
- Himalayans
- Persians
- Scottish Fold
Service Dogs
We accept trained service dogs to accompany passengers with disability in the cabin at no charge. Learn more about travelling with service dogs.
