Live animals
Kind care for animals
Finnair Cargo provides safe and quick animal transport services to most direct Finnair destinations. Our professional staff are there to help during every step of the way.
Ensure that you have all the necessary documents in compliance with the regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Find detailed information on the acceptance, handling and loading of live animals in the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR).
Before preparing a live animal consignment, including living animals, birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, crustacean or amphibians, for carriage by air, you must always obtain full information well in advance concerning export/import, in transit permit, veterinary health certificate, Cites export/import permit where required, veterinary examination, quarantine, trans–shipment requirements or prohibition restrictions.
Note! Primates and canines intended for laboratory, experimentation or other exploitation purposes are not accepted.
Transportation charges
For applicable rating, see TACT Rules 8.3.7 Information by Carrier – Finnair. Various charges due to live animal handling in all stations during the journey may apply. Finnair Cargo does not accept shipments of Live Animals on charges collect basis (CC). The freight charge and other charges of departure station must always be paid at the departure airport.
- Comply with national, carrier and IATA regulations as applicable
- Each destination country may have additional regulations and agreements in place
- Read more on transporting live animals from Cargo Guidelines
For further information please contact our local Sales/Reservations.
Shipper's responsibilities
Before preparing a live animal consignment for carriage by air, shippers must always obtain full information well in advance concerning export/import, in transit permit, veterinary health certificate, for Cites species Cites export permit and a copy of the Cites import permit where required, veterinary examination, quarantine, trans–shipment requirements or prohibition restrictions, which may also include the food provided for the animal.
Such regulations are subject to frequent change and depend upon the species being shipped. Therefore, the shipper must obtain current requirements from the local Consulate or national authority concerned.
It is the responsibility of the shipper to ascertain what national legislation regarding the protection of animals during transport by air is in force to, through and from the countries where the animals are being shipped.
The shipper or its authorized agent is responsible for and must:
- finalize the route and any special care required by the shipment upon reservation and prior to acceptance;
- advise the carrier if female animals are in oestrus (heat);
- advise the carrier of the gender of the mammals being shipped;
- obtain all documents and correct information for the Shipper's Certification;
- comply with national, carrier and IATA regulations as applicable;
- provide containers that conform to the IATA LAR latest edition;
- provide suitable bedding and food for the species that do not contravene any regulations;
- provide the scientific and common name of the animal(s) and quantity of each animal contained in the container, as shown on the shipper's certification;
- affix special feeding and watering instructions to the container and attach a copy to the documents that accompany the shipment;
- record on the container instructions, the date and time that food and water was last given to the animal, prior to acceptance;
- declare the condition of animals when pregnant or has given birth in the last 48 hours;
- record any medication given, i.e. drug, dosage, time given and route. This information must accompany the documents and a copy be affixed to the container.
