Special Consular Services
Shipping Pets to and From Greece
Bringing Pets into Greece
In compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) requirements, pets (dogs and cats) entering or departing Greece must have a health certificate that the pet is in good health, free from infectious disease, and has had a rabies inoculation not more than 6 days before arrival or departure. The certificate must be validated by the appropriate medical authority in the country, where travel begins. Animals entering should bear either a clearly readable tattoo or an electronic identification system (transponder).
In the U.S. validation is performed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (DOA). In Washington, D.C., take papers to the Greek Consulate for validation. Health clearance will be given at the port of entry. Parrots may not be imported, unless they are coming from a country free from psittacosis, in which case no more than two may be imported and must have the same health certification as for dogs and cats. Greece has few boarding kennels available. Those available are not of Western standards, and bookings must be made in advance.
The three ways to transport a pet via air are listed below (note: not all airlines provide all three options).
(a) As excess baggage:
Depending on the airline, you may be able to have your pet travel on the same flight(s), either in the cabin or in the cargo hold. The airline may consider a pet transported this way as excess baggage and charge you accordingly. Do not assume that you can take your pet on the same flight with you. You must confirm this in advance with your airline(s). As a rule animals weighing 100 lbs. or more will travel as cargo even if they are transported on the same flight as you.
(b) As air cargo:
You may arrange for your pet to be transported on a separate flight as air cargo shipment. In this case you do not have to accompany your pet, however, you need to make arrangements for picking it up at the destination. Be aware that the cost of this service is generally considerably higher than excess baggage.
(c) As air cargo via a commercial shipping company:
You may arrange with a licensed commercial shipper to handle the arrangements to ship your pet as air cargo. The charges you pay are the cargo rate plus the shipper's fee. Please note that, several airlines require this method unless the pet is small enough to fit in the cabin.
Airlines and Pets
Several U.S. carriers have imposed embargoes on shipping cats and dogs between May and September, the hottest months for pets to travel in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some U.S. carriers permit pet shipments, but only as air cargo arranged through a licensed shipper. It is important to note also that restrictions imposed by U.S. carriers are not uniform from carrier to carrier, and we urge you to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the carrier you will use well in advance of travel. Check also to see whether your flight will be on a code share foreign carrier, as the restrictions might be different than with the U.S. carrier.
IPATA Information
In addition to the other websites mentioned in this telegram, you may want to check the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International, Inc. website on the Internet at www.ipata.com. This is an international trade association of animal handlers, pet-moving providers, kennel operators, and veterinarians who care for pets locally, nationally, and worldwide.
Airline-Specific Information
The information provided below is subject to change at any time. You should contact your airline well in advance of travel to obtain the latest information on airline specific policies, restrictions, and requirements.
(a) American Airlines (AA)
http://www.aa.com
Reservations: 1(800) 433-7300
Air Cargo Section: 1(800) 227-4622
AA allows no pets in-cabin on international flights. In addition, AA has an annual embargo on shipping animals as accompanied baggage from May 15 through September 15. However, it is possible for private individuals or licensed commercial shippers to ship pets as cargo (at airports with cargo terminals such as Dulles and BWI) during this period, subject to temperature restrictions (not above 85F or below 45F).
Note: It is important to call the Air Cargo number listed above because many AA reservation personnel may be unaware of this option.
From September 16 to May 14, animals may be shipped as accompanied baggage, subject to temperature restrictions.
There is a limit of two pets per flight on a space available basis determined two hours before check-in. Temperature restrictions are even stricter for snub-nosed animals.
(b) Continental (CO)
http://www.continental.com
Reservations: 1(800) 231-0856
Live Animal Desk: 1(800) 575-3335
CO currently requires pets to travel as cargo except for those it considers small enough to be allowed to travel in-cabin. You may directly book with CO your pet as cargo. CO allows no pets to travel in-cabin to Europe and Hawaii, but it does allow pets on some of their other international flights. You must call CO in advance to obtain specific information regarding your country of destination.
Where CO allows pets in-cabin on a flight, there can be only one in business and two in coach. The pet container must be no larger than 17"x12"x8" in size.
In addition, CO has a permanent pet embargo into Spain and Germany. There are other embargoes currently in effect in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Please check with airline for specific information.
If the temperature is above 85F from any point of origin or along any point to the destination, CO will not allow a pet to travel as cargo.
Please call CO's Live Animal Desk telephone number for a detailed explanation of its current regulations.
(c) Delta (DL)
http://www.delta.com
Reservations: 1(800) 241-4141
Live Animal Desk: 1(888) 736-3738 or 1(888) SEND PET
From May 15 to September 15, DL requires passengers to use commercial shippers unless their pets are allowed in-cabin.
Note: USG employees returning from overseas and Hawaii on official orders are now exempt from embargo and are allowed to ship their pets as accompanied baggage to their US destination, barring any other daily temperature restrictions.
DL has no temperature restrictions if the pet is traveling in-cabin. However, if the pet is traveling as accompanying baggage the 85F restriction applies (snub-nosed pets will be refused if at any point of the flight the temperature is above 70F). From September 16 to May 14 pets may be shipped as accompanied baggage.
Note: DL's code share restrictions with foreign carriers may prevent pets traveling as accompanied baggage. Please check with DL well in advance of travel.
For in-cabin, DL allows only one pet in 1st class, one in business, and two in coach. In all cases the pet must be able to stand and turn around in a soft or hard carrier.
On 777, MD11, or 767ER aircraft, the maximum container size allowed by DL is 17"x12"x8." On all other aircraft, the maximum size allowed is 21"x13"x9." (Hawaii, Korea, Republic of Ireland, and United Kingdom do not allow pets to arrive in-cabin.)
(d) Northwest (NW)
http://www.nwa.com
Reservations: 1(800) 447-4747
Live Cargo: 1(800) 692-2746
NW (in many cases) allows pets to be shipped as accompanied baggage unless the temperature is above 85 or below 10 degrees. However, from July 1 through September 15, due to extreme heat, Northwest will accept pets only as cargo to the following countries: Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
You may make booking arrangements directly with NW for your pet to travel as cargo or accompanying luggage. As in-cabin luggage, NW allows only one pet in business and two in coach. Carry-on kennels (17" x 12" x 8") can be purchased from the airline. Please check with the airline for availability.
NW applies temperature restrictions for pets that are to travel as cargo. For snub-nosed animals, the temperature restriction is 75F. NW does not accept pets for travel if the temperature is below 10F.
If temperature restrictions prevent your pet from going as accompanied baggage during the non-embargo period because of a daily temperature restriction, you may choose to go on the next available NW flight at no additional charge.
Alternatively you can select someone to take care of your pet until it can be boarded on the next available NW flight. In this case the pet will go as excess baggage and not cargo.
NW requires a health certificate to be issued within the ten days prior to departure.
(e) United Airlines (UA)
http://www.ual.com
International Reservations: 1 (800) 538-2929
Live Cargo: 1(800) 825-3788
There have been some important changes in United Airlines' pet policy. Effective February 2003, you may ship your pet(s)as accompanied baggage domestically and internationally. However, permanent pet embargoes are in effect for travel to, but not departing from, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Costa Rica during peak travel times. During peak travel no pets will be shipped to or from the countries previously listed unless the pet is traveling in-cabin. Please check with the airline for the peak travel dates, which vary for each country listed.
Pets may accompany you in-cabin to most countries, if space permits. However, the number of pets allowed in-cabin depends on the type of aircraft. The pet container must be no larger than 22"x14"x9." Pet carriers are available for $25 from the airline.
Temperature restrictions above 85F and below 45F continue to apply at all times, unless the animal travels in-cabin.
You may personally book your pet(s) to travel as cargo with UA. However, the cargo office requires you to call the night before to confirm that there will be no temperature restrictions for the flight day. If necessary, you should be prepared for an alternate arrangement such as using a licensed shipper (refer to the companies listed in the OBC Shipping of Pets handout) or having another individual to care for and deliver the pet to the airport when UA Cargo will accept it.
(f) US Air (US)
http://www.usairways.com
Reservations: 1 (800) 428-4322
Air Cargo: 1 (888) 300-0099
US Airways allows no pets in-cabin on its transatlantic flights. However, the airline does allow pets to travel as excess baggage in the cargo hold on the same flight as the passenger.
If you plan to ship your pet as cargo then temperature restrictions (not above 85F and not below 45F) apply. You or a commercial shipper may book your pet as cargo.
Shipping Pets from Greece
The following are the rules and regulations for bringing your pet into the U.S.
In shipping a pet to the United States the owner must ensure that the animal meets three basic requirements levied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
- The animal must have been vaccinated against rabies within the last year but no less than 30 days before shipment.
- The animal must be examined by a qualified veterinarian and issued a good health certificate within 10 days of departing Greece.
- Pets must be microchipped.
You must apply to the Ministry of Agriculture of Greece for a Certificate of Health and Transportation that must be presented to the Greek authorities when leaving the country. The application for the certificate must include proof of rabies vaccination and good health verification. The fee for this service is 30 Euro.
There are two basic means of shipping an animal: accompanied or unaccompanied. It is sometimes possible to have a small animal in the cabin with you in a small kennel that will fit under a seat. If unaccompanied, the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) has begun strictly enforcing regulations regarding the shipment of pets traveling as cargo. This process, which is much more expensive than accompanied, can take up to 10 days prior to actual shipment. Specific information on shipping pets is available from your travel agent. Therefore, we urge you to contact the airlines early and familiarize yourself with their specific requirements well in advance of the animal�s travel. All airlines require the animal be shipped in a portable kennel and most require food and a water dish accompany the animal.
Shipment of pets to countries other than the United States must be in keeping with the import regulations of that country. Many nations require quarantine of the animal for as long as six months. This can be expensive for the owner and traumatic for the animal. Great care must be taken to ensure that all import regulations are adhered to.