How much does it cost to transport a dog by air? Comprehensive analysis of pet air transportation costs and precautions
With the increase in the number of pet owners, the demand for air transportation of pets is rising year by year. Many pet owners need to transport their dogs by air when moving, traveling or immigrating, but they are often confused by the complicated charging standards and procedures. This article will analyze in detail the charging standards and precautions for dog air transportation in 2023 to help you budget and prepare in advance.
1. Key factors affecting dog air freight costs

Pet air transportation costs are not fixed and are mainly affected by the following factors:
| Influencing factors | Specific instructions | price range |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation distance | Domestic routes are usually charged based on distance, while international routes need to consider fuel surcharges. | Domestic 500-3000 yuan, international 2000-15000 yuan |
| Pet size | Charges are based on the size of the flight box and the weight of the pet (min.<10kg/10-30kg/>30kg third gear) | Small dogs 500-800 yuan, medium dogs 800-1500 yuan, large dogs 1500-3000 yuan |
| Additional services | Including door-to-door pick-up and drop-off, quarantine certificate application, air box rental, etc. | Ranging from 200-1000 yuan |
| seasonal factors | Peak season surcharges may be added during holidays and summer travel periods | Increase by 20%-50% |
2. Mainstream airline pet shipping charges (latest in 2023)
| airline | Domestic route basic price | Basic price for international routes | special request |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | Starting from 800 yuan (including flight case) | Starting from 2,000 yuan + quarantine fee | Short-nosed dog embargo |
| China Southern Airlines | 25 yuan/kg (minimum charge 600 yuan) | 50 yuan/kg+tariff | Need to apply 72 hours in advance |
| China Eastern Airlines | Economy class full price ticket×1.5%/kg | Economy class full price ticket×3%/kg | Limit 3 pets per flight |
| Hainan Airlines | 800-1200 yuan/cage | 2000-5000 yuan/cage | Provide pet tickets |
3. Hidden fees you must know
In addition to the freight stated by the airline, the following cost budget must be reserved:
1.Quarantine certificate processing fee: Charged by animal health supervision offices in various places, usually 200-400 yuan, and must be processed within 3 days before departure.
2.Flight case purchase fee: A box that meets IATA standards costs about 300-800 yuan (some airlines provide rental services)
3.Airport handling fee: Including security inspection, loading and unloading, etc., about 100-300 yuan
4.Destination customs clearance fee(International transportation): about 500-2,000 yuan, some countries require isolation and observation
4. Tips for saving money
1. Peak-shifting transportation: Avoiding holidays and summer transportation peaks (June-August) can save more than 20% of costs
2. Go through the procedures yourself: Applying directly through the airline’s official website is 30%-50% cheaper than an agency.
3. Choose the right aircraft type: Wide-body passenger aircraft (such as Boeing 787) have better cargo hold conditions and lower freight costs.
4. Purchase pet insurance: about 100-300 yuan can cover unexpected medical expenses during transportation
5. Special precautions
1.Prohibited dog breeds: All airlines generally prohibit the carriage of bulldogs, pugs and other short-nosed dogs (prone to respiratory distress)
2.health certificate: Vaccination records are required (rabies vaccine needs to be vaccinated for more than 21 days)
3.Shipping time: Choose early/late flights in summer and avoid extreme low temperature periods in winter
4.Stress prevention: It is recommended to do environmental adaptation training in advance, and consult a veterinarian to use sedative drugs if necessary.
From the above detailed analysis, we can see that the cost of dog air transportation ranges from a few hundred to tens of thousands of yuan. It is recommended to start planning 2-3 months in advance. When choosing a formal agency, be sure to confirm that it has the "Animal Transport Agency Qualification" and sign a formal service contract to protect your rights and interests. I hope every furry child can arrive at their new home safely and comfortably!
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