We look after your pet the way you would
Every year, we send thousands of animals of different species to various destinations around the world. As Hungary's most experienced live animal air freight forwarder, we have gained considerable expertise not only in the transport of animals, but also in their care over more than 25 years. In addition to the transport of popular pets - dogs and cats - we also offer full service for the export and import of exotic, zoo, aquatic and farm animals.
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Our IATA LAR certified specialists are well versed in country and airline-specific regulations, health requirements, necessary documents and permits, and we always provide optimal, low-stress, pet-friendly solution for our customers.
Our staff are in constant, daily contact with the airport border veterinarians who control entry and exit. Our warehouse base and the proximity of our office to the airport allow us to get any necessary documents to the airport veterinarian as quickly as possible.
In connection with air freight, we are the only airport in Budapest with a 24-hour customs and veterinary service, which allows us to handle customs clearance for shipments at any time, due to the sensitive nature of the goods.
We're a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) and partner with all the major airlines in the world.
VIP Lounge before departure
We receive and prepare animals for their journey in a secure, clean, disinfected, soundproofed and air-conditioned area at our dedicated warehouse base, which is unique in Hungary.
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Please send us an email to avi@airmaxcargo.com or fill in our enquiry form and our colleagues will contact you as soon as possible. The following information must be provided: species, breed, date of birth (YYYY.MM.DD), size, quantity, destination, date of vaccination against rabies.
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Based on the information you provide, our colleagues will find the most optimal solution and send you a detailed offer together with a country-specific brochure.
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Once the quotation has been accepted, we will make a booking based on the recipient's details and send a confirmation to the sender.
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The sender is required to transmit the detailed booking data (exact date and time of arrival, airport of arrival, waybill number) to the consignee.
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It is the responsibility of the recipient to confirm the transport (that the animal is received at the destination) to the airline.
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Our staff will inform you of the date and time you can drop off your animal and the documents you need.
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We will receive your animal, its documents and prepare it for transport in the live animal hold at Airmax Cargo's warehouse base. (We place it in the transport vehicle, weigh it, check its papers.)
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We then prepare the animal's transport documents and clear it through customs if necessary.
How to weigh your dog?
A
Measure the length of the animal from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail.
B
Measure the length of the foreleg to the elbow joint.
C
Measure the width of the dog at the widest point, at the chest.
D
Measure the height of the dog up to the top of its head or the tip of its ears (whichever is higher).
Important!
Please give us your dog's dimensions as accurately as possible, as we can only send you a precise quote based on that. If you don't give us the correct dimensions, and the size of the carrier is not suitable, the airport authorities may refuse to allow your pet to travel, which could mean extra costs for you and extra stress for your pet.
Most airlines will only accept International Air Transport Association (IATA) compliant cargo boxes.
We can provide our customers with standard-sized cages fully compliant with IATA standards from our own stock, but we can also supply special, custom-sized transport equipment for your transport needs.
A pet crate is appropriate if the animal:
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can stand up in the kennel and does not bang its head on the top of the kennel,
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does not reach the end of the kennel standing or lying down,
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the animal can turn around comfortably,
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the animal can lie down comfortably.
Documents required for the transport of live animals
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European Union passport or vaccination book. (Only EU passports are accepted for intra-Community movements)
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Depending on the country, an import permit issued by the competent authority of the host country
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An official veterinary certificate confirming that the animal is healthy and fit for air transport.
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In the case of intra-Community movements, a pre-travel clinical examination and its inclusion in Chapter X of the EU passport is mandatory
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If necessary, a blood test in accordance with the requirements of the country concerned
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Confirmation of quarantine reservation (if country regulations require quarantine on arrival)
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Air transport contract between the freight forwarder and the consignor
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Export clearance order
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VPID number (Used to identify the trader or individual on documents, decisions and files issued by the customs office. The exporter or importer is required to have a VPID number for customs clearance of all export or import movements.)
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Declaration of value or invoice for shipments outside the EU
Regulations per country
The information provided here is for information purposes only. In all cases, our experts will email you the regulations for the country in question.
Click on the country for more information!
General conditions for travelling to the Member States of the European Union
The animal must be in possession of a European pet passport, a numbered bilingual (Hungarian-English) document, which is intended to allow the pet to be moved from one EU country to another without quarantine. The pass contains identification details of the animal and its owner, vaccinations, other treatment and all relevant and important information about its health. The travelling pet must have a valid rabies vaccination. The animal must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old at the time of vaccination (vaccines administered at a younger age are not valid, regardless of the time elapsed since vaccination). The date of administration of the rabies vaccination must be recorded in the passport. It is important that the vaccination should be given after the microchip implantation. The animal can only be moved 21 days after the first rabies vaccine has been administered, because under EU rules the rabies vaccination is only valid after 21 days. Sometimes a country's own regulations are stricter than the EU requirements, so you will always have to comply with the stricter standards.
Switzerland
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but animals from Hungary must still meet exactly the same requirements as animals travelling to other EU Member States. As in EU countries, live animals can only travel to Switzerland if they have the appropriate unique microchip identification, a valid rabies vaccination and a valid European passport. In Switzerland, animals with ear and tail mutilations are not allowed to enter unless and until a veterinarian certifies that the mutilation was necessary because of a veterinary problem (e.g. an accident).
United States
To be shipped to the United States, an animal must be microchipped and have a valid animal passport or vaccination booklet on the 21st day after receiving its rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age. The passport must be accompanied by an official veterinary certificate stating that the animal is healthy and fit for transport. In some cases, it is possible to transport dogs that have not yet been vaccinated but are at least 10 weeks old. In this regard, please do not hesitate to contact our live-animal transport specialists who will be happy to assist you.
Canada
Animals can be transported to Canada no earlier than the 21st day after they have received their rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age and must be microchipped and have a valid passport or vaccination book. The passport must be accompanied by an official veterinary certificate stating that the animal is healthy and fit for transport. In some cases, it is possible to transport dogs that have not yet been vaccinated but are at least 10 weeks old. In this regard, please do not hesitate to contact our live-animal transport specialists who will be happy to assist you. Canada distinguishes between commercial and non-commercial transport. The current requirements are available on the following page. If you have any questions after reading this, please do not hesitate to contact our live-animal transport staff who will be happy to help you.
Dubai
Animals travelling to Dubai are not allowed on board the aircraft, so they may only enter the country as manifested goods. To enter Dubai, the animal must have a unique identifier (microchip), a valid European animal passport and an official veterinary certificate, as well as an import permit. The earliest the animal can be vaccinated against rabies is at three months of age, followed by a blood test at least 21 days afterwards. The animal may travel 12 weeks after the blood test is carried out if the test shows an antibody.