IATA Crate Requirements for Pets Flying as Cargo

Published on October 7, 2026

Introduction

When your pet flies as cargo, the crate is their space for the whole trip. It’s also one of the first things airline staff check. If it’s the wrong size or missing a single required part, your pet may not be accepted for the flight.

Most airlines follow the crate standards set by IATA. This guide breaks down what those standards actually require: how to size the crate, how it has to be built, what goes inside, and the small mistakes that cause the most trouble at check-in.

Where the crate rules come from

IATA, the International Air Transport Association, publishes the Live Animals Regulations (LAR). Airlines use them as the baseline for how animals are packed and handled in the hold. The crate rules for dogs and cats are in a section called Container Requirement 1. The current version is the 52nd edition, effective January 2026.

A few things worth knowing up front:

• These are minimums. Airlines can add their own rules on top, and some countries have extra requirements too. For example, some airlines won’t take wooden crates, and some countries require the crate to be sealed.
• IATA doesn’t certify crates. It doesn’t approve or endorse any brand or model. A box that says “IATA approved” isn’t a guarantee. What matters is whether the crate meets the written standard and fits your pet.
• Airline staff make the call. If a crate doesn’t meet the standard at check-in, the pet can be turned away.

Getting the size right

The size rule is simple to say: your pet has to be able to stand, sit up straight, lie down in a natural position, and turn around comfortably. This is a mandatory requirement, and it’s the one that trips people up most.

To get there, IATA uses four measurements of your pet:

• A: Length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail
• B: Height from the ground to the elbow joint
• C: Width across the shoulders or the widest point, whichever is greater
• D: Height standing naturally, from the floor to the top of the head or the ear tips, whichever is higher

Then plug them into the formula for the crate’s inside dimensions:

Dimension	Formula
Length	A + ½ B
Width	C × 2
Height	D + height of the bedding

A quick example: a dog that measures A = 30 in, B = 10 in, C = 8 in, and D = 26 in, with 1 inch of bedding, needs a crate at least 35 in long, 16 in wide, and 27 in tall on the inside. For a detailed diagram see IATA Container Requirements.

A few things to keep in mind:

• These are internal dimensions. Crates are usually sold by their outside measurements, which are larger. Check the inside.
• Snub-nosed breeds need 10% more space. Think bulldogs, pugs, Persians, and other flat-faced breeds.
• The formula is a starting point. If your pet can’t comfortably stand and turn around, the crate is too small, even if the math says otherwise.
• Measure the real animal. Have your pet stand naturally, and measure ear tips if they stand up.

Want to see how it’s done? Our guide to measuring your pet for the right travel carrier includes a short video walkthrough.

How the crate has to be built

Size is only half of it. The crate itself has to meet a long list of construction rules. Here are the ones that matter most for a typical dog or cat crate based on the IATA Container Requirements.

Part	What IATA requires
Material	Rigid plastic, fiberglass, metal, welded wire mesh, solid wood, or plywood. Crates made entirely of wire mesh aren’t allowed. No soft-sided or collapsible crates in the hold.
Top and bottom	Plastic crates that come in two halves must be bolted together. Plastic clips can’t be the only thing holding them together. Metal nuts and bolts in every hole are recommended.
Door	Makes up one whole end of the crate, sliding or hinged. Plastic doors are fine if the hinges and locking pins are metal. Locking pins must go at least 1.6 cm (about ⅝ in) into the crate.
Extra door security	For rigid plastic crates, the door should also be secured with cable ties at all four corners.
Ventilation	Openings on all four sides, adding up to at least 16% of the total side surface. On the sides and back, they must be in the upper two-thirds.
Openings	Nose- and paw-proof: no bigger than 25 mm × 25 mm (about 1 in) for dogs and 19 mm × 19 mm (about ¾ in) for cats.
Floor	Solid and leak-proof.
Interior	Smooth, with nothing your pet can bite or scratch at.
Wheels	Must be removed or made unusable.
Spacers and handles	Spacers along both long sides and the back, so other cargo can’t block airflow. Handles so staff can move the crate without risk of being bitten or scratched.
Heavy crates	If the crate and pet together weigh over 60 kg (132 lb), it needs forklift spacers at least 5 cm (about 2 in) tall.

Wooden crates have their own rules, including wall thickness of at least 12 mm (about ½ in) for dogs and 6 mm (about ¼ in) for cats. They also need to meet international wood treatment standards. Keep in mind that some airlines won’t accept wooden crates at all.

What goes in (and on) the crate

Food and water dishes. A water dish has to be fixed inside the crate, open at the top, and fillable from outside without opening the door. A food dish has to be there too. A drip water bottle can be added, but it can’t replace the open dish.

Absorbent bedding. Required. Just remember it counts toward the crate’s height, so a thick pad can make a crate that fit before too short.

Food for the trip. Pack enough dry food for each travel day in a clear, sealable bag that travels with your pet.

Labels. Every crate needs a green “Live Animals” label and “This Way Up” labels on at least two opposite sides. Writing your pet’s name on the crate is recommended too.

What to leave out:

• Toys, stuffed animals, and bones
• Large beds
• Litter boxes
• AirTags, SmartTags, and other trackers
• Collars, harnesses, vests, and clothing (IATA recommends removing these before your pet goes in the crate)

Our travel carrier accessories guide has a quick visual checklist.

Common reasons crates get turned away

Most crate problems show up at check-in, when there’s no time left to fix them. These are the ones to look for before travel day.

• Too small. Your pet’s head touches the roof, or they can’t turn around. This is often because the crate was sized from its outside dimensions, or because bedding was added after measuring.
• Plastic clips holding the halves together. Many crates ship with snap clips. Swap them for metal nuts and bolts.
• Missing hardware. A bolt or two missing, or a door pin that doesn’t fully engage.
• Wheels. They have to come off or be locked so they can’t roll.
• Water bottle instead of a dish. A bottle alone doesn’t meet the rule. You need an open dish fixed inside, fillable from outside.
• The wrong crate type. Soft-sided, collapsible, all-wire, or top-loading crates aren’t suitable for the hold.
• Too many pets in one crate. Two adult pets can only share if they’re similar in size, each under 14 kg (about 31 lb), and used to living together. Anything over 14 kg needs its own crate. IATA Traveler’s Pet Corner
• An old crate that no longer qualifies. Even if your pet has flown in it before, rules and airline policies change. Check it again before every trip.

It’s also worth checking your airline’s own rules. IATA sets the minimum, but airlines and destination countries can, and do, ask for more.

Get your pet comfortable with the crate early

A compliant crate is the requirement. A crate your pet is actually comfortable in is what makes the trip easier on them. IATA recommends buying the crate weeks or even months ahead so your pet has time to get used to it.

Leave it open at home, put meals near it, and let your pet go in on their own terms. Our tips on acclimating your pet to the travel carrier and reducing travel carrier anxiety walk through it step by step.

One thing not to rely on: sedation. IATA advises against sedating pets for air travel because of the risks at altitude. Our post on whether pets should be sedated for travel covers why.

Not sure your crate makes the cut?

Crate rules are detailed, and the airline is the one who decides at check-in. If you’re shipping your pet with WorldCare, your Pet Relocation Counselor will review your crate and confirm whether it’s airline-ready. Request a free quote to get started.

Sources

•  IATA: Container Requirement 1, Live Animals Regulations, 52nd edition (January 2026) (PDF)
•  IATA: Traveler’s Pet Corner
• WorldCare: Measuring Your Pet for the Correct Size Travel Carrier
• WorldCare: Travel Carrier Compliance With IATA Regulations (PDF)
• WorldCare: Travel Carrier Accessories (PDF)