The IATA Live Animals Regulations Manual is the official document regulating the transportation of live animals. Shippers must follow the regulations of the origin and destination countries as well as the carrier's restrictions.

General rules on live animal shipments:

- animals must be in good health and fit to travel
- it is forbidden to transport pregnant animals unless it is confirmed by a veterinary certificate that the animal is fit to travel
- packing must be clean, leak-proof and properly closed, it must also be labeled with appropriate labels and handling instructions
- reservation for the whole routing must be confirmed
- health documents and rabies inoculation certificate are required

Required documents:

The number of required documents may differ in each shipment and depend on the type of animal and national and carrier's regulations.
When a pet is transported as passenger baggage, required documents are:
- health certificate
- rabies or distemper inoculation certificate

Shipper Certification for Live Animals must accompany the shipment. This certificate consist of:
- the information if the animal is under CITES classification (reg. endangered species)
- the number of packages
- the number of declared animals
- AWB number
- port of origin and port of destination

Such certificate should be filled in two copies and signed by the sender. If an animal is classified as an endangered specie (CITES), Permit Certificate is required.
In Poland, the Ministry of Environment is responsible for issuing certificates and import/export agreements.

Downloads:

Veterinary Certificate for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets entering the European Community for non-commercial movements (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)
Download Certificate

Chicago AVI request

New York AVI request