Common FAQs

How long does the documents need for preparation?

For our pet relocation service, it is suggested that you should make advance notice at least 3-4 weeks before your departure. We need time to prepare the import and export documents and contact the airlines and customs. Airlines need to reserve for pet cargo/ excess baggage for pets. Besides, some countries like Australia, Singapore, and Taiwan would require at least 2-3 months’ notice. These countries have their own quarantine policies. We need to reserve and contact the import department of customs for further actions, e.g., booking for quarantine space and customs inspection.

Will I require a pet passport?
There is no pet passport in Hong Kong or either China. A pet passport only for pets from the US, UK, and countries in the EU, it could take your cats and dogs out of the UK to other EU countries. For some countries, there are additional requirements. 
In Hong Kong or China, we will have a pet health certificate instead of a Pet Passport for import & export to foreign countries. A pet health certificate is completed and issued by an official veterinarian, or by an authorized veterinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority. It is valid for 7-10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity checks at the travelers’ points of entry. The health certificate should show clearly the pet name, microchip number, identity of the pet, vaccination record. For more information, please check with our staffs. Contact HERE
What vaccinations do my pet need for export?
For importing your pet to a foreign country, you must make sure your pet has been microchipped with ISO standard, your pet should be vaccinated with rabies vaccination before you travel. After the rabies vaccination, your pet has to wait for 21 days to make the vaccination work before you have imported it to your destination. Your pet must also have the 5 in 1 vaccination (for dogs) / 3 in 1 vaccination (for cats). Some countries may also need pets to have internal & external parasites treatment 10 days before the departure. 
For High-Rabies Countries like China and Malaysia, pet export from these countries may require additional rabies antibody testing. These countries need to have their pets with a rabies antibody titer test (RFFIT) or (RNATT) for checking the rabies antibody. This antibody test may require 3 months notification as if the blood testing is successful; your pet still needs to wait for 3 months after the blood taking date for import to foreign countries. 
What else may be required apart from the vaccination?

In addition to the vaccination preparation and export paperwork, your pet may also require an Import Permit to enter the specific countries. Some countries need to have pet relocation companies on preparing these import documents. If you need this service, you could contact with our staffs. Contact HERE

What documents do airline required?

Airlines will need the original veterinary health certificate, vaccination record for your pet, Shipper’s Declaration Letter for Live Animals, and also the Airway Bill for Cargo. For import and export in Hong Kong, you may also need an Airline Certificate (Captain’s Affidavit). In Pet Travel Hong Kong, we could help you with all these documents ready and contact the airline’s team before you and your pet travel. 

Why shouldn’t I do this myself?

Certainly you can. Many people move on their own to save money, but there are MANY things they do wrong. If you are moving to another country and not familiar with its pet import policy, you’ll end up suffering a lot with your pet. Although it is possible for you to do this yourself, if you make a mistake and don’t cross all of your t’s, your animal will suffer. And you will have to pay more than you could ever imagine.

By using our service to relocate your animal, you can save a significant amount of time, stress, and headaches. We handle all the paperwork so you won’t have to. Pet relocation is something we specialize in for years and we know the ins and outs of every aspect of pet relocation better than anyone else. We approach every move as if it were our pet and meet every challenge with a smile.

Can you reduce pet travel anxiety?

Our Policy is to transport your pet with the minimum amount of stress involved. We will find the most direct route available, with little time spent confined in the kennel as possible. Additionally, there are certain products you can purchase, such as Feliway, which is a natural pheromone to induce a calmer state.

Can my pet have the health certificate anytime?

No, the health certificate should be prepare within 7-10 days before travel, the health certificate will only valid for 10 days.

Are Pet Relocation simple for me to do?

There are different rules and regulations for travelling by air with pet depending on your destination. They include the import, export and transit papers and its health and vaccination certificates. International pet travel would be a time-consuming process and require lots of paper works. If pet is not allowed to enter a country because it has not had the required vaccinations, the owner must pay for the return flights. When moving a pet, it is always necessary to understand the country requirements for export (from the country of origin) and import (into the country of destination). With us, you can take your pet with you on any route. It will travel safely and in comfort, either in the cabin or in the cargo section.

Pet Relocation Checklist
If you would like to relocate your pet, you must have:
  • Microchipped with 15-digits microchip
  • Rabies Vaccination (1-2 times)
  • Rabies Vaccination Booster (If your pet already has rabies vaccination)
  • Health Certificate endorsed by Government Department
  • Airlines approved travel crates (IATA approved)
  • Contact with the Airline staffs and Customs
  • Customs Clearance (Optional)
Some countries may have extra requirements:
  •  Rabies Antibody Titer Test (RNNAT)
  • Import Permit
  • Booking for Quarantine Facility
  • Internal & External Parasite Treatment
  • Dog License
  • Booking for Pet Inspection
  • Veterinary Approval for pet travel
What are the airline requirements?
Airline Requirements:
 
The majority of countries require the following documentation for pets travelling
 
  • Valid import/export permits from the relevant authority of the countries
  • Valid health certificate from a registered veterinarian, stating that the pet is free from rabies and any other diseases
  • Valid vaccination record to show that the pet has received all necessary vaccinations
  • Transit permits and any other documentation required by the relevant authority of all transit countries
What can Pet Travel do for you?

What can we do?

  • Provide IATA approved travel carrier
  • Pick-up from your home, friend or boarding facility at origin
  • Pet relocation service for International Pet Travel
  • Complete all export and import documents
  • Book the most pet-friendly airline and best routing
  • Organize comfort care rest stops at major airports when applicable
  • Handle customs clearance at your pet’s destination when applicable
Is it safe for my pet to fly?

Traveling by air is as safe for pets as it is for people. Airlines require pets to travel in containers that comply with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations and with specific airline guidelines. All of these things are designed to help ensure the safety and comfort of your pet while traveling. In some cases, your pet may not be allowed to travel in the cabin with you. Your pet will travel in a special cargo compartment within the aircraft. This compartment is both climate-controlled as well as pressurized, so your pet will be safe and comfortable. It is on the same air circulation system as the cabin.

Where will my pet stay?

Just like passengers, pets travel in the livestock hold, which is pressurized and cooled. The animals are not monitored during the flight as they settle in better when left to sleep away from the passenger cabin’s hustle and bustle. During the flight, the lights dim to near darkness and come on in conjunction with the seatbelt lights, so if your pet is alert during takeoff or landing, he or she can sleep in a dark, cozy bed. 

Will my pet be stressed from the flight?

Your pet will be pleased to see you and will probably enjoy a good meal at the end of their flight, but most animals travel very well and relax throughout the flight. There are more than a million pets that fly safely every year worldwide, and the captain will act appropriately if there are any animals aboard.

Can I take my cat on holiday with me?

We can let you know if this is possible if you let us know which airline you will be flying with and on which day. We will make every effort to book cargo space on the same flight as your pet. To avoid you incurring unnecessary costs, it is advisable for us to check availability for pets before you book your own flight if you wish to travel at the same time.

Can my pet travel with adaptive collars/or flat collars?

It is advised by every airline that pets do not travel wearing a collar of any kind as they are deemed a choking hazard. However, they will be able to travel with the containers attached to their airline-approved crate in order to be able to refit them when they reach their destination. 

Can my dog/cat fly alone?

Yes, your dog/cat can be booked as manifest cargo and can fly alone to most locations.

Do I have access to my pet during the flight?

Both passengers and crew are not permitted access to the cargo hold. During refueling and transit stops, passengers will not be permitted access to their pets.

Can I feed my pet on flight?

Because of the high risk of choking, food will not be served on the plane. The pet is suggested to feed half its normal amount of food a few hours before departure . The pet crate can be supplied with water, but not overfilled since spillages could make your animal uncomfortable during the flight. You may attach some extra food and water to the outside of the crate in case your pet requires it during its journey and any special instructions.

What if my pet needs to urinate during the flight?

Unfortunately, little accidents sometimes do happen, so the crates are lined with absorbable puppy training pads to help soak up any little accidents that do occur. Like humans, your pet may experience a little dehydration during the flight, which will reduce the need for urination. Also, do not feed your pet the morning before travel as this may increase the risk of defecation or vomiting.

Do my pet need to quarantine when he/she arrived?

It depends where they are going.  If you are travelling to the Hong Kong, the Group III countries need to quarantine for 120 days, besides, pets from Group I and Group II countries can have all the necessary documents done correctly, there is no requirement for quarantine.

If you are travelling to Australia, Singapore or a few other places, then there is quarantine on arrival.  You could check with our pet relocation agencies if you do not familiarize with the pet import requirements of your country.

How to book with pet ticket with airlines?
First, you must make sure all the important documents are ready for your pet. You must have your pet microchipped and rabies vaccination and vaccination record for airlines. Airlines need to have all documents prepared so they could book the pet cargo/ excess baggage for you, as they do not want your hassle from the trip. The customs would not accept pets import their countries if the documents are not well prepared, your pet may have to quarantine or even be banned for import their countries, your pet may need to turn back to your origin. Hence, airlines need all documents ready so they could reserve a seat for your pet. 
Lastly, it is important to note that some airlines will not allow you to book directly with them to fly your cat internationally to some countries. Instead, you’ll be required to hire a pet-shipping company with an airline account. This is because they want to have the assurance that the import procedures and paperwork were completed correctly to avoid any penalties or fees.
Will my pet travel with me on the same flight?

Every airline has to abide by a set of standards and regulations with pet travel, the size and breed of your pet are also factors to determining whether it could travel on the same flight. In some cases, some countries could only pet travel as cargo individual to import their countries. This will enable you to make an informed decision on which airline you can travel on and suitable flights on offer with the preferred airline.

What is the difference between ‘Excess Baggage’ and ‘Air Cargo’?

When you travel with your pet and you both check in at the passenger terminal, this is termed ‘excess baggage,’ however, your pet will still travel in the animal hold. Air Cargo can be used when you travel with your pet or if your pet is traveling without you. Your pet will be checked in through the cargo terminal at your departing airport and the cargo terminals of modern-day airports are used to handling and caring for animals. Some even have specialized rooms for holding animals.

Why my pet could not travel in cabin/ excess baggage with me on the same flight?
Although several airlines, domestic and international, accept pets as carry-on or excess baggage, you could travel with them. Carry-on pets must adhere to strict size restrictions, along with limitations regarding available space (both on board the airplane and in the cargo hold). Most airlines place a strict limit on the number of pets that can travel in the plane’s cabin. Several will only allow one or two animals per flight.
Normally, airlines only accept cats and small dogs travel in the cabin with their owner, their weight must be < 8kg (17lbs) and the owner must put them in either a small soft pet container or IATA approved pet crate. One important thing you must know, some breeds like bulldog, wolf-dog and snub-nosed pets like exotic shorthair and pugs may be restricted by airlines. You may check with the airlines if you would like to travel with your pet in the cabin. 
For traveling in the baggage compartment (excess baggage), airlines could accept pets under 32kg -40kg to travel as excess baggage with the same flight. However, some countries may be restricted for pet travel as excess baggage due to their pet import policy, some countries may even do not accept pets for importing their countries. You have to reach the airline for further enquiries if you do not want to travel separately with your pets. If airlines do not accept pet travel on the same flight, you have to ship your dog in Manifest Cargo by the airlines’ cargo service. 
One key point to note, airlines may NOT ACCEPT pet travel in-cabin with TRANSIT Flight (Connecting Flight) from different airlines, some airlines may even serve pets in a direct flight.  Due to the COVID19 pandemic, some airlines have stopped pet check-in and limit pet travel.
For pet travel in cargo separately, the cost will be straightly expensive than pet travel in the baggage compartment or travel in a cabin. Your pet must be put in the IATA-approved pet crate and follow the LAR (Live Animal Regulations) by airlines.
In addition to large and giant breed dogs traveling in extremely large crates, some passenger aircraft aren’t able to handle such oversized cargo. Keep in mind that the airlines must adhere to the International Animal Transport Association’s Live Animal Regulations (IATA/LAR) and they will require you to do the same. Taking your pet on the plane with you seems to be an attractive, affordable option. However, be aware that you run the very real risk of your pet missing the flight if there is no space available onboard or in cargo, or if you have not complied with the IATA/LAR.
Why it is so expensive for pet cargo?

Unfortunately, animal flights cost more than human flights. As a result, there will be a higher price because of the increased number of staff that is required in order to keep your pet safe, as well as the size of the pet being determined by price. There are additional handling and customs charges too. The cargo rate of airline is also based on the route, destination and the fuel consumption. Hence, the longer route and flight time will be more expensive accordingly.

Check in and Customs Clearance

Pets must be delivered to the airline 4 hours before the flight, so check-in times can often be early in the morning. As a result, your pet will arrive in the destination country early in the morning, so the clearance procedures for arrival can be performed within normal working hours. For some countries, the customs inspection would only available in office hours, if your pets arrive to airport out of office hours, your pet has to stay in airport for whole night. It is recommend to find flight in early morning or midnight.

Airline Delay

The safety of your pet is our absolute highest priority. The airline does everything to make each move as comfortable and stress-free as possible, but of course, airlines can’t control the weather. If there is a delay or canceled on your flight, your pet needs to rearrange with the flight schedule.