Is this a substitute for the official IATA LAR manual?

No. The IATA Live Animals Regulations is the binding standard and is updated annually; this is a quick-reference summary to help you plan and sanity-check a booking. Always confirm the current Container Requirement and species rules in the live LAR edition before tendering.

What is a Container Requirement (CR) number?

The LAR assigns each species group a Container Requirement number, such as CR 1 for dogs and cats, specifying the crate's construction, ventilation, door, and feeding-and-watering arrangements. Acceptance staff check the crate against the CR for the species.

How much space must an animal have in its container?

The general rule is the animal must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position without touching the sides or top. For dogs and cats, length is measured nose-to-tail-base and height is the standing height to the top of the head or ear tips.

What documents are typically required?

Most live-animal air shipments need a Shipper's Certification for Live Animals, an air waybill, a health or veterinary certificate, an import permit where required, and the IATA marking and labelling on the container. Species and destination add further permits such as CITES.

Does ventilation depend on the species?

Yes. Each Container Requirement specifies minimum ventilation openings on multiple sides of the crate, and warm-blooded animals need more open area than the minimum for short-haul. Birds and small mammals have specific opening sizes to prevent escape while ensuring airflow.

IATA Live Animal Regulations Quick Reference

Shipping live animals by air is governed by the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), which set out the crate, ventilation, and documentation rules for every species. This quick reference summarises the Container Requirement, key construction points, and document checklist for the most common species groups so you can validate a booking before tendering it.

How it works

The LAR maps each species group to a Container Requirement (CR) number that defines the crate, plus a general space and ventilation standard. Acceptance follows the same logic every time:

species group → Container Requirement (CR) number
             → construction + ventilation rules
             → minimum-space rule (stand, turn, lie down naturally)
             → document checklist (certification, AWB, health cert, permits)

The animal must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position without touching the top or sides, and the crate must meet the ventilation openings specified in its CR.

Notes and tips

Treat this as a planning aid, not the binding rule: the LAR is reissued every year and the exact Container Requirement, ventilation openings, and permit list can change. Build your document pack early — health certificates and import permits often have lead times and validity windows that can derail a booking if left late. For CITES-listed species, endangered-species permits are mandatory and must travel with the shipment. Always reconcile against the current LAR edition and the destination authority before the animal arrives at the airport.