Live Animals

LAM takes every measure to ensure that all small live animals travel safely and comfortably. The majority of the animals accepted as cargo on domestic and international flights travel in the cargo compartment as LAM does allow animals in the aircraft cabin or checked in as excess baggage.

All animals transported must be manifested as cargo and handled through the cargo terminals.

Classification

Depending on the animal’s species, the conditions by which LAM accepts animals for shipment may vary. Section 1 of IATA’s LIVE ANIMALS REGULATIONS provides a list of live animals and their classification by species:

A. Amphibian
B. Birds
C. Crustacean
F. Fish
I. Invertebrate
M. Mammal
R. Reptile

Acceptance

  • Live animals are only accepted for transportation if they are adequately kept in containers/appropriate cages. The containers must be clean and must have a soft base so that they can absorb excrements.
  • The container must be sufficiently large to allow the animal to travel in a normal position, turn around and lay down.
  • The containers must be of a size that makes it impossible for the animal to show its nose or arm through the ventilation holes.
  • The use of straw as absorbing material must be avoided because there are restrictions on the importation of such material in many countries.
  • The containers must be built so that handling and transport can be securely handled. It is mandatory to attach an IATA label for “Live Animals” that is adequately filled out for each container carrying a live animal. In addition, these labels must be placed on the four sides of the container in the vertical position.
  • For additional information, customers are advised to contact LAM.

Documents

In most countries the importation and transit of live animals are subjected to health regulations, with the objective of preventing disease transmission to human beings and/or other animals.

Before acceptance of consignments of live animals, a form called SHIPPER”S CERTIFICATION FOR LIVE ANIMALS, LAM Mod. 1183 must be filled out and signed by the consignor, and all the applicable regulations in the countries of transit and destination must be fully met.

Reservation

When the transport of live animals involves more than one airline, the live animals will not be accepted unless the reservation of space is requested and the respective confirmation is obtained from other airlines for the shipment from the point of origin to the point of destination.

Surcharge

For the acceptance of live animals, a surcharge of 175% of the standard published rate and a handling charge of 250% is applied.