Shipping a large dog or other breed requires a custom or extra-large travel crate. These can cost up to $3,000+.
The USDA endorsement fees are an additional expense. These fees can be found on the website here.
BCPT customizes its packages through a thorough consultation process. Prices range from shared ride pet transport to private in-cabin air transportation.
Crates
Choosing the right travel crate is one of the most important things for your pet’s comfort during international flights. They will be in that crate for several hours during transit, so they must be comfortable and safe.
Airline regulations and IATA live animal requirements (LAR) mandate that your dog or cat’s crate be constructed of metal, wood, plywood, or other firm, rigid materials. In addition, it must be leakproof and have locking side fasteners that can’t accidentally be opened during flight. Plastic screws, clamps, or slide locks are not allowed.
CR82 crates are custom-made to fit your pet perfectly and meet all IATA/LAR specifications. They also meet the ATA’s crate size guidelines. Please measure your pet’s length, height, and width and compare them with the crate dimensions to ensure they are correct. Brachycephalic dogs require a crate that is 10% larger than usual. The container must also be adequately ventilated. Ventilation holes must be placed on two sides and the top, not taped over or blocked.
Health Certificates
Health certificates are a necessary part of traveling with your pet internationally. They are an official statement that your pet has been examined and is free of any diseases that could put other animals or humans at risk. While this may seem like a nuisance, ensuring your pet meets all guidelines for entering your destination country (see the United States Department of Agriculture Pet Travel Website) and your airline’s requirements are essential.
A Veterinary Hospital will have a USDA Accredited Veterinarian who can perform the necessary physical exam and prepare your pet for its international journey. In addition, we can electronically submit these documents to the USDA through VEHCS for endorsement in just hours (green countries) or overnight express shipping back to us for signing and sealing (orange country processing). This eliminates the need to schedule an appointment with the USDA, drive to the facility, and ship the paperwork back to our veterinarian for a signature.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an essential preventative health measure for pets and farm animals. They are designed to stimulate an animal’s immune system into producing antibodies that can recognize and destroy disease-causing organisms that enter the body. As a result, vaccinations significantly reduce the need for costly veterinary treatments and improve responsible antibiotic use. Depending on the prevailing disease threats, the location of travel/movement, and specific risk factors, vaccine protocols should be tailored for each pet or group of farm animals to ensure optimal protection throughout their lives. At a minimum, all animals will require a one-year rabies vaccine and proof of up-to-date distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis (DHPP + L), and internal and external parasite treatments.
All UK-produced vaccines meet rigorous safety, efficacy, and quality standards and are assessed by an independent veterinary medicines regulator before being authorized for sale. They can be made from inactivated, killed pathogens, recombinant vaccines, or toxoid vaccines based on inactivated toxins produced by the disease-causing pathogen.
Customs
Depending on your destination country and the breed of pet, customs clearance steps may be required. Customs fees include brokers, taxes, tariffs, and other government-specific fees. It is best to work with a pet shipping professional who can handle all of these details for you, as they know the ins and outs of international pet shipping.
Airline policies vary, but most require pets to travel as manifest cargo for safety and accountability. Manifest cargo flights are priced based on dimensional weight and range from USD 1,000 for a Chihuahua to $4,500 for a Great Dane.
Additional fees can include vaccinations and lab testing, health certificate appointment, USDA endorsement of documents, the crate, airline booking, payments to the pet shipping agent, customs fees, and import taxes due at the airport. These fees can add up quickly and are a significant factor in why hiring a trusted pet shipping company is highly recommended. Having an expert on your side will ensure every step is taken so there are no delays in getting your furry family home.
