Know the requirements, restrictions and the type of packaging your cargo needs to be shipped with LATAM Cargo.
Transporting Pets (Service Animals)
GENERAL INFORMATION
LATAM AIRLINES GROUP has 3 different options for pet transportation: accompanied pet (in the passenger's cabin or in the aircraft hold), and pets travelling on their own with LATAM Cargo.
What animals may travel in the cabin with a passenger?
Small sized dogs and cats are accepted in the cabin, as long as their total weight (pet + kennel) does not exceed 7 kgs (15 lbs). The pet must remain in their kennel for the entire flight duration.
Also accepted in the cabin are service dogs traveling with a blind passenger or hearing dogs, as long as the passenger provides a medical statement certifying that the deaf person is entirely dependent upon the animal.
What animals are accepted for transport as cargo?
Only dogs and cats may be transported as cargo. They are accepted in individual or shared kennels suitable for the animal(s) being transported and the aircraft type.
Requirements
Cats and dogs will only be accepted if the aircraft cargo compartments have been conditioned for the transport of live animals. Pets will only be accepted for transport if they:
PETS AGE ACCEPTANCE: older than 16 weeks (starting December 15th, 2021)
Exceptions can be made for cats and dogs that are younger than 16 and older than 8 weeks, if they meet the below additional requirements:
KENNEL ACCLIMATATION
Preparing your pet for the flight
Your pet acclimatation with the travel crate is one of the most important aspects you should be aware of.
What do we mean by acclimatation? It is a gradual process where your pet adjusts to being inside the travel crate in a safe and comfortable way. This process can help to reduce the stress during the trip.
IMPORTANT! This practice must be repeated for every trip with LATAM.
ACCLIMATATION THREE MAIN PRINCIPLES TO BE CONSIDERED:
Download the most frequent tips and guidance for a successful acclimatization process
KENNEL REQUIREMENTS
It?s paramount that the travel crate or kennel complies with all the requirements included in the KENNEL REQUIREMENTS GUIDE
. You must review the document and follow the requirements in order to travel with us. Additional information containing the most important items you should comply with when choosing the correct kennel can be found below.Suitable size for your pet
Ventilation
Kennel materials and construction guidance
Nuts and bolts
Security Seals
Food and water bowls
Crate lining
Other materials
Cleanliness
CR 82 KENNEL
Kennel CR 82 must be used for aggressive breeds
Kennel CR 82 is the specific model to transport aggressive or dangerous breeds of dogs, its construction must follow these requirements:
Dogs that are younger than 9 months are exempt from travelling in kennel CR 82, they will be accepted if the kennel meets the regular container requirements
FOOD AND WATER REQUIREMENTS
Bowls for water and food must be accessible from the kennel?s exterior and must be attached to the inner side of the door.
* Note: For the cases indicated in the table, the food container must be empty, but the client must provide a small portion of food, not exceeding 200 grams, to be attached to the outside of the container so that it can be fed to the pet in case of contingency.
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS
Required Documentation
BREED RESTRICTIONS
The following breeds and mixes of brachycephalic dogs and snub?nosed cats are not accepted for transport due to their potential respiratory issues through our passenger service and will only be accepted through LATAM Cargo, considering the additional requirements listed below.
If the pet is not included in the list below but has brachycephalic characteristics, a veterinarian certificate will be required attesting the pet is not a brachycephalic breed. This list is informational only and may vary from time to time.
Dogs
Cats
RESTRICTIONS ON BRACHYCEPHALIC PETS
Transportation of brachycephalic pets can be very challenging because of their respiration issues, and therefore additional requirements are needed to ensure the safety of your pet during transportation. Pug, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Boston Terriers are prohibited for transportation.
Starting February 15th, 2022 all bookings and tendering must be made by an IPATA member agency.
Brachycephalic Breeds only permitted on domestic flights in Brazil
DANGEROUS DOG BREEDS SPECIAL KENNEL REQUIREMENTS
The following dog breeds and mixes are considered aggressive and therefore are not accepted in domestic dog kennels and they have to be transported in CR 82 type kennels. (Details in the kennel section above)
RESTRICTION OF DOG IMPORTATION TO THE US
Starting July 14th, 2021, new restrictions have been put in place in United States for dog importation from high-risk countries for dog rabies.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CONTACT
For general questions, such as information on packaging, destinations and more related to the transportation of pets, you can contact us at pawssupport@latam.com.
For urgent or contingency issues related to your pets, we will assist you at Petsemergency@latam.com.
Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods are accepted for transportation by the Operator and/or its Outsourced Service Providers only if they are compliant with the regulations on safe transport by air of dangerous goods from IATA (International Air Transport Association). The specific requirements are detailed below.
UN Packaging
UN Packaging specifications are not accepted if handmade or printed on a sheet of paper affixed to the package. The markings must be printed or stamped on the packaging by the manufacturer.
Packaging for Limited Quantities
Packaging for Limited Quantities must comply with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), as specified under subsections 2.7.5 and 2.7.6.
Marking and Labeling
The marks required by IATA DGR 7.1.4 as well as the hazard and handling labels for packages containing dangerous goods must be applied on the sides of the package. This requirement does not apply to the label containing the name and address of both the consignor and the consignee.
Package Marking
Packages containing dangerous goods must be labeled with a durable and readily legible mark printed or affixed to the external surface of the package, as provided under IATA DGR Subsection 7.1.3.2.
Example of marking for UN packaging
Types of Labels
There are two types of labels:
Example of package labeling
High Value Cargo
Cargo considered as high value is not accepted if contained in a ULD that has been previously put together by a shipper or cargo broker, or included as part of a mixed or consolidated shipment. High value cargo must be loaded in a ULD at the Operator′s cargo terminal under a special arrangement and strict security measures for the duration of the operation.
Shippers of gold bars or other valuable items must be present at the airport as close to the departure time as possible.
Packages containing sensitive cargo will only be accepted if they meet the following conditions:
Plastic crates may be used as an alternative.
Plastic hinged crates suitable for use with seals. These crates may have the dimensions the customer deems appropriate (as long as they meet the minimum size required by the Operator).
Poultry less than 72 hours old
Transport Temperature
Poultry (chicks, turkey, ducklings or goslings) younger than 72 hours are very sensitive to temperature and humidity changes.
Crowding Density
Boxes for transporting chicks younger than 72 hours generally have a capacity for around 100 chicks (if the interior height of the box is at least 15 cm. For fewer chicks, the inner height must be at least 10 cm) and are divided into four compartments that will accommodate 25 chicks or less each. Numbers may vary according to the following:
Perishable Cargo
Perishable cargo is accepted in accordance with IATA′s Perishable Cargo Manual. Different cargo will be require differentiated handling procedures depending on whether the items transported are wet cargo, horticultural products (fruits, vegetables, flowers and/or plants in general), or animal products.
Perishable cargo is accepted if compliant with the following requirements:
Packaging
There are many types of perishables, each with its own characteristics. However, all products must comply with the following packaging and handling standards:
Example of packaging for transporting live seafood
| Box weight | Thickness |
|---|---|
| > 10 kilograms | 20 mm or more |
| 10 to 20 kg | 25 mm or more |
Seafood must be arranged like this when using wet ice as coolant.
Note: Fold the loose ends of the sheet over the product and secure them with a water resistant tape and then cover.
Special Conditions
The use of dry ice for packing perishables is subject to a prior arrangement with the shipper, as dry ice is classified as hazardous material and the amount allowed onboard is limited.
Perishables are not accepted as COLLECT freight unless a previous arrangement with the Operator has been established.
Labeling
All parcels containing perishable products must be labeled with the standard IATA "PERISHABLES" label or any equivalent label specifying the content is perishable.
The name of the product must appear on the outside of the package to ensure appropriate handling.
All packages containing liquids, whether hazardous or not, must bear a label indicating the package orientation.
Packages containing dry ice as coolant must bear the standard "DRY ICE" label, indicating the amount of dry ice in them.
Example of marking and labeling of a package containing non-hazardous products refrigerated with dry ice.
Marking
Besides the required labels, a package containing perishable goods must also carry the following marks:
Use of Coolants
Coolants and isolating materials are essential to ensure successful carriage of perishables. They may be of various types:
Whenever used, wet ice must be placed in separate polyethylene bags, each one weighing approximately one kilogram. The top of the bag must be twisted or knotted and then secured with an elastic band or moisture-resistant tape.
Example of proper wet ice placement in polyethylene bags.
As mentioned earlier, dry ice falls under the dangerous goods category and therefore requires compliance with IATA Hazardous Materials Regulations.
Some of the restrictions include:
When using dry ice, ensure the package has openings to allow carbon dioxide to escape. If using expanded polystyrene boxes, perforating the box with a sharp object no thicker than a pin or needle will suffice. If using wet ice, no perforation will be necessary.
Example of proper box closing
This is a chemical compound, available in two forms: powder contained in plastic bags to which water should be added, or in the form of flat sachets. It must be frozen before use and has a jelly consistency. It may be at a lower temperature than wet ice, but not as low as dry ice.
The use of DCLG on passenger and cargo aircraft is subject to IATA′s Hazardous Materials Regulations.
Isolating Materials
In addition to coolants, a number of isolating materials may be used to protect the cargo while in non-cooled areas:
Fruit and Vegetable Acceptance and Handling
Fruits and vegetables must be considered "wet cargo" as they release large amounts of water vapor.
Boxes showing signs of bumps or dents on the corners, sides or covers will not be accepted unless the package is reconditioned.
Packages showing signs of leakage from the inside will also be rejected.
Fresh, Chilled and Frozen Meat Acceptance
Meat is accepted in waterproof, leak-proof containers, or in containers made waterproof through the use of polyethylene sheets. All shipments must adhere to the sanitary regulations of the countries of export and import.
Example of proper packaging and labeling of a meat shipment cooled with dry ice.
Note: The outside of the box must be labeled with the type of product contained, i.e. "Frozen Meat", "Chilled Meat", or "Fresh Meat".
Fragile Goods
Examples of fragile goods
Packaging Requirements for Shipment Acceptance
Example of proper packaging for a glass windshield
Human Remains
Human remains may be cremated or non-cremated.
Non-cremated remains must be contained in a soldered inner casket made of lead or zinc, which in turn must be lined in sufficient absorbent material and packed inside a wooden container.
The outer container (air tray) must be made of plywood or rigid particle board and may be covered by canvas or tarpaulin padded in such a way as to protect the casket and conceal the nature of the contents. The space between the casket and the air tray must be filled with sufficient absorbent material. In addition, the air tray must have strong handles to facilitate handling.
Cremated human remains are accepted as general cargo.
In domestic operations, the outer canvas covering is accepted as a way of reducing the weight for transportation on narrow-body aircraft (see picture), placing an absorbent material between the casket and the outer covering:
Once the padding is in place, the outer covering may be zipped closed.
Labeling
Labels and markings on an air tray are the same as for general cargo:
Packages containing human remains must conceal the contents and have handles for easy handling.
Note: Sometimes the deceased may have died during a trip and therefore a separate package (suitcase) containing their personal belongings may be carried together with the casket. If so, the Air Waybill will specify both packages with their individual weight, and the "Nature and Description of the Goods" section will be completed with "Human Remains" or "Used Personal Items", as applicable.
Documents required for carrying human remains inside Brazil:
Besides the original, a copy of each document must be presented.
Other
Laboratory materials
Some types of cargo hide the presence of dangerous products due to their nomenclature and/or shape. The risk may not be explicit in the shipment of samples for tests or diagnoses originating from laboratories, clinics and hospitals, whether for humans or animals.
Biological materials are potentially dangerous and must be packaged so that leaks do not occur and resist the regular conditions found in air transportation (impact, temperature changes, pressure and other conditions).
For each type of material there is a suitable type of packaging and all the packages determined in the regulation include triple conditioning.
To obtain approval for transportation, the shipment must:
Approved Monitoring Devices
Starting September 1st, 2022 all approved monitoring devices must be declared in the handling information field of the air waybill (AWB).
Please review all approved tracking devices in the following list:
For a downloadable version please click here.
For a downloaded version of the technical requirements to start the approval process of a monitoring device, please click here.
For information regarding device's approvals please email grp_monitoringdeviceapproval@latam.com
Domestic cut-off times
Please check our domestic cut-off times in the following link