Airmax Cargo cares for your pet in the same way you would.
Every year, Airmax Cargo transports thousands of live animals of various species to destinations worldwide. As Hungary’s most experienced live animal air freight forwarder, Airmax Cargo has developed extensive expertise not only in the transport of animals but also in their professional care, built over more than 25 years of operational experience. In addition to the transport of common companion animals such as dogs and cats, Airmax Cargo provides a full-service solution for the export and import of exotic, zoo, aquatic, and farm animals.
30
Airmax Cargo’s IATA LAR-certified specialists are highly experienced in country- and airline-specific regulations, animal health requirements, and all necessary documentation and permits, enabling the delivery of carefully planned, low-stress, and animal-friendly transport solutions.
Standard IATA-compliant air transport crates are available from the company’s own stock; where required, customised transport equipment can also be provided to meet specific transport needs. Through Airmax Cargo’s website, customers can track the animal’s journey from the departure airport to the destination airport.
Airmax Cargo staff maintain continuous, daily contact with airport border veterinarians responsible for entry and exit controls. The company’s on-site warehouse facilities and the proximity of its offices to the airport enable the rapid delivery of all required documentation to airport veterinary authorities.
! In connection with air freight operations, Airmax Cargo operates at the only airport in Budapest offering 24-hour customs and veterinary services, allowing customs clearance to be carried out at any time in recognition of the sensitive nature of live animal shipments. !
Airmax Cargo is a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) and works in partnership with the world’s major airlines.
VIP Lounge before departure
Animals are received and prepared for transport in a secure, clean, disinfected, sound-insulated, and climate-controlled area within the company’s dedicated animal handling facility, which is unique in Hungary.
-
Please contact Airmax Cargo by e-mail at avi@airmaxcargo.com or via the online enquiry form. A member of Airmax Cargo’s team will respond as soon as possible. The following information is required: species, breed, date of birth (YYYY.MM.DD), size, quantity, destination, and date of rabies vaccination.
-
Based on the information provided, Airmax Cargo’s team will identify the most appropriate transport solution and issue a detailed quotation together with a country-specific information brochure.
-
Once the quotation has been accepted, a booking will be made based on the recipient’s details, and a confirmation will be sent to the sender.
-
The sender is responsible for providing the consignee with full booking details, including the exact date and time of arrival, arrival airport, and airway bill number.
-
It is the responsibility of the recipient to confirm receipt of the animal at the destination with the airline.
-
Airmax Cargo staff will advise on the date and time for animal drop-off and on the documentation required.
-
Upon acceptance, the animal and its documentation are received and prepared for transport in the live-animal handling area at Airmax Cargo’s facility, including placement in the transport crate, weighing, and document verification.
-
-
The required transport documentation is then prepared, and customs clearance is arranged where applicable.
Guide to proper dog measurements
A
Measure the length of the animal from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
B
Measure the height of the foreleg up to the elbow joint.
C
Measure the width of the dog at the widest point of the chest.
D
Measure the overall height of the dog to the top of the head or the tip of the ears (whichever is higher).
Important:
Please provide your dog’s measurements as accurately as possible. A precise quotation can only be issued on the basis of correct dimensions. If incorrect measurements are provided and the transport crate is unsuitable, airport or airline authorities may refuse carriage, which may result in additional costs and unnecessary stress for the animal.
Most airlines accept live animals for air transport only in cargo containers that comply with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations.
Airmax Cargo can provide standard IATA-compliant transport crates from its own stock; where required, specially designed, custom-sized transport equipment can also be supplied to meet specific transport requirements.
A transport crate is considered suitable if the animal:
-
can stand upright inside the crate without the head touching the roof,
-
does not touch the front or rear of the crate when standing or lying down,
-
can turn around freely and comfortably,
-
can lie down in a natural and comfortable position.
Documents required for the transport of live animals
-
European Union pet passport or vaccination booklet (EU passports are accepted for intra-Community movements only)
-
Where applicable, an import permit issued by the competent authority of the destination country
-
An official veterinary certificate confirming that the animal is healthy and fit for air transport
-
For intra-Community movements, a pre-travel clinical examination recorded in Chapter X of the EU pet passport is mandatory
-
Where required, a blood test carried out in accordance with the regulations of the country concerned
-
Confirmation of quarantine reservation, where destination country regulations require quarantine upon arrival
-
Air transport agreement between the freight forwarder and the consignor
-
Export clearance order
-
VPID number (used to identify the trader or individual in customs documents, decisions, and records; a VPID number is required for customs clearance of all export and import movements)
-
Declaration of value or commercial invoice for shipments outside the European Union
Regulations per country
The information presented here is indicative only and may vary depending on the destination country and individual circumstances. In all cases, Airmax Cargo will provide customers with the applicable, up-to-date regulations specific to the shipment.
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 valid European Union pet passport. This is a numbered, bilingual (Hungarian–English) official document that enables the movement of pets between EU Member States without quarantine, provided all regulatory conditions are met. The passport contains the identification details of the animal and its owner, vaccination records, medical treatments, and other relevant health information. The travelling animal must have a valid rabies vaccination. At the time of vaccination, the animal must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old; vaccinations administered at a younger age are not recognised as valid, irrespective of the time elapsed since vaccination. The date of rabies vaccination must be recorded in the pet passport, and the vaccination must be administered after microchip implantation. Under European Union regulations, the animal may only travel 21 days after the first rabies vaccination has been administered, as the vaccination becomes valid only after this waiting period. Please note that individual Member States may apply national regulations that are stricter than EU requirements; in such cases, compliance with the stricter national rules is mandatory.
Switzerland
Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, animals travelling from Hungary must comply with the same requirements as those applicable to travel within EU Member States. As with EU destinations, live animals may only be transported to Switzerland if they have a compliant microchip identification, a valid rabies vaccination, and a valid European Union pet passport. Please note that Switzerland applies strict animal welfare regulations. Animals with cropped ears or docked tails are not permitted to enter the country unless an official veterinary certificate confirms that the procedure was carried out for medical reasons and not for cosmetic purposes.
United States
For transport to the United States, the animal must be microchipped and have a valid pet passport or vaccination booklet. Rabies vaccination must be administered at a minimum age of 12 weeks, and the animal may travel from the 21st day following vaccination. The documentation must be accompanied by an official veterinary certificate confirming that the animal is healthy and fit for air transport. In certain cases, dogs that have not yet received a rabies vaccination may be transported if they are at least 10 weeks old and meet the applicable U.S. entry requirements. For such cases, Airmax Cargo’s live-animal transport specialists should be contacted for individual assessment.
Canada
Animals may be transported to Canada no earlier than the 21st day following the administration of a rabies vaccination given at a minimum age of 12 weeks. The animal must be microchipped and accompanied by a valid pet passport or vaccination booklet. The documentation must include an official veterinary certificate confirming that the animal is healthy and fit for transport. In certain cases, dogs that have not yet received a rabies vaccination may be transported if they are at least 10 weeks old and meet the applicable Canadian entry requirements. Such cases are assessed individually; Airmax Cargo’s live-animal transport specialists should be contacted for further guidance. Canada differentiates between commercial and non-commercial movements of animals. The applicable requirements are outlined on the linked page below. For case-specific clarification, Airmax Cargo’s live-animal transport team is available to assist.
Australia
For detailed information on the transport of live animals to Australia, please refer to the links provided below. Due to Australia’s particularly strict biosecurity regulations, all shipments are subject to case-by-case assessment. Airmax Cargo’s live-animal transport specialists are available to provide guidance and support.
China
Regulations governing the transport of live animals to China may vary depending on the province of destination. Due to these regional differences, requirements are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Airmax Cargo’s live-animal transport specialists are available to provide guidance and confirm the applicable regulations for the specific destination.
United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
Animals travelling to the United Arab Emirates via Dubai are not permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin and may only enter the country as manifested cargo. For entry into the United Arab Emirates, the animal must be identified by a compliant microchip and be accompanied by a valid European Union pet passport, an official veterinary certificate, and an import permit issued by the competent UAE authority. Rabies vaccination may be administered from a minimum age of three months, followed by a serological (antibody) blood test carried out at least 21 days later. Subject to a satisfactory test result, the animal may travel after the mandatory waiting period of 12 weeks following the blood test.