How to Travel Internationally with Pets: 2026 Airline & Customs Guide

You have booked your flights, a hotel at your destination and are ready to travel. But, wait, you are missing something important. You definitely need to worry about your dog or cat. An international trip with your pet is not as easy as throwing them in the backseat for a road trip.

There are multiple things that you need to think of. Before travel, you should know about your pet vaccines to schedule, blood tests, crates to buy, and paperwork. If you missed any, it can cause your pet to be in quarantine or back at the airport.

In this guide, I will discuss how to travel with your pets. I will explain the 6-month timeline procedure to prepare your pet for an international trip with you.

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Start Early: The 6-Month Timeline

Start preparing six months before your flight. Most of the time, people assume that only paperwork is required to travel with their pet, which they can handle a few days before travel. But the procedure is a bit difficult and time-consuming.

Generally, for international travel, your pet must undergo medical tests, such as a rabies titer test. It is a blood test that checks whether your pet has developed immunity from their rabies vaccination.

And you know what this test alone can take 30 days to process. The time can vary by destination, ranging from 90 to 180 days.

• Microchip first: Before any vaccination, your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip. It is a 15-digit code that identifies your animal. Vaccination given before the chip is not acceptable in many countries. If your pet already has the chip, it is verified as ISO-compatible.
• Rabies vaccination: After the chip confirmation. The next step is rabies vaccination. Your vet gives the rabies vaccination. The vaccination timing varies in different countries. Some countries accept the vaccine given at least 21 days before arrival. At the same time, the others require a full titer test.
• Rabies Titer Test (if required): Countries like Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Hawaii require a Rabies Titer Test, which shows that your pet's immunity levels are high. This is a blood draw sent to a laboratory in the US, or Kansas State University. The test results take some days to several weeks.
• Book a vet appointment 10 days before your flight: Most health certificates must be issued within 10 days of the flight. So, ensure to book a vet appointment 10 days before your flight.
• Government endorsement: In the US, the pet health certificates are initially approved by a USDA APHIS-accredited vet. These are sent to your regional USDA APHIS office for an official stamp; this process can take a few business days.

Flying with Pets: Cabin vs. Cargo

Before flying with your pet, it is ideal to know whether your airline allows pets to travel. Not every airline can handle cargo pets safely because not every pet can fly in the cabin.

In-Cabin Rules

The dogs and cats under 8 kg (17 lbs) with a carrier can fly in the cabin. Your pet stays under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. For travel, ensure that your carrier is soft-sided, and it can easily fit within the airline's specific dimensions.

The dimensions for the pet to stay in the airlines vary; sometimes it is just a few centimeters. So, before getting the carrier, confirm the space. Remember, only one pet is usually allowed per passenger.

Some routes restrict in-cabin pets entirely, and you'll pay a fee separately, which typically falls between $100 to $200 USD each way.

Cargo/Hold Rules

Larger dogs travel in the cargo hold in the same plane as you or on a different flight. You need to confirm this before your travel. Both these travels for your pet have some serious considerations.

Temperature is generally the major concern in cargo. The extremely hot and cold weather can be dangerous. Airlines enforce the temperature embargoes if the temperature exceeds 85°F (29°C) or drops below freezing. As a result, flying with pets during very hot summers or cold winters can be risky and unpredictable.

To travel your pet in cargo, ensure that the crate is hard-sided and large enough that the pet can stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Label your name, contact number, destination address, and a "LIVE ANIMAL" notice on the crate.

Note: Several major US carriers have suspended pet cargo services in recent years. Ensure to confirm it with the airline before making any plans.

IATA Carrier Requirements

Whether your pet is in the cabin or cargo, the carrier has to meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards. Airlines check this at check-in.

Here's what IATA requires:

• The door must be secured with metal nuts and bolts.
• The crate must have at least three sides for ventilation.
• Food and water bowls must be attached to the inside of the door, which should also be accessible from the outside.
• A "Live Animal" label must be affixed with arrows.

To make your pet used to the new crate, buy it a few weeks before your trip. Take the crate if your pet is comfortable and calm in it.

The Paperwork (How to Avoid Quarantine)

People generally consider the paperwork for pet travel to be easy, and it can be done a few days before travel. But this procedure requires more attention. A single wrong date or a missing stamp can turn your pet back.

Here is what you will require for your pet documentation.

EU Pet Passport

For EU residents, the EU pet passport is the ideal solution to travel to another European country with your pet. The pet passport is a small blue booklet that includes information about your pet's microchip number, vaccination records, and health status.

Unfortunately, the passport is not for non-EU countries. So, countries like the UK have their own Animal Health Certificate system managed by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

USDA APHIS Health Certificate

The USDA APHIS Health Certificate is the primary document for the USA pet owners. A veterinarian verifies your pet's health, fills the form and confirms that it's fit to travel. After that, this form is verified by your regional USDA APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services office.

Most countries require the health certificate issued within 10 days of your pet's arrival. At the same time, others require an import permit issued by the destination country's agriculture or biosecurity department.

Certain countries have mandatory quarantine policies for all incoming animals. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii, and several other island nations require a quarantine period ranging from 10 days to several months.

If you're moving to one of these destinations, be prepared for this session.

How to Track Your Pet During the Trip?

The most anxious part is when your pet's flight is two to four hours longer than your own. At this spot, you need to do something smart. You can attach an Apple AirTag or a GPS collar directly to the crate before check-in.

AirTags work through Apple's Find My network, which means they update their location whenever they're near any iPhone. You can watch the crate movement on your phone.

Let's be real, airport Wi-Fi is usually terrible when you need it the most. And if you are still debating between international roaming vs a travel eSIM, remember that traditional roaming can take ages to connect to a local network or hit you with unpredictable fees. To track your pet's AirTag the exact second your plane touches the tarmac, you need a connection that works instantly.

The perfect solution is to install an eSIM in your device before you travel. It will activate automatically when you land. With immediate data access, your Find My app refreshes instantly so you can spot your dog's crate location moving across the runway. Plus, you can easily receive an SMS on your eSIM if the airline sends automated text updates about your cargo's status.

Get global data for tracking your pet through eSIMCard's international data plans. Get your destination eSIM according to your travel duration, download before you fly, and land connected.

Conclusion

International travel with a pet sounds overwhelming until you go through the whole procedure. Travelling with your pet requires a microchip, vaccine, titer test, IATA-approved crate, health certificate and government endorsement.

People delay the procedure to do it a week before travel. But missing any of the given steps can cancel the pet travel. In this guide, I have discussed the procedure to travel with your pet safely. Following these steps, your pet can get entry into the new country.

While traveling, if you are concerned about your pet's safety, attach the GPS tracker to the crate. With an eSIM data plan in your phone, you can track your pet right after landing at the airport.

FAQs

Can I sedate my dog before a flight?

No, airlines prohibit sedation. Because at altitude, it can affect a dog's breathing. If your pet gets anxious, ask your vet about calming supplements.

How much does it cost to fly a pet internationally?

The general in-cabin fee for small pets ranges from $100 to $200 USD each. Cargo for larger dogs can be $200–$1,000+, depending on crate size and route.

What countries require quarantine for pets?

The island nations, including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and Japan, have strict quarantine policies for pets. The quarantine duration ranges from 10 days to a few months, depending on the country.