✈️ IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) Compliant

IATA Approved Crate for Safe Pet Air Travel

Your pet deserves more than just a box — they need a certified, airline-compliant travel crate that keeps them safe, comfortable, and stress-free at 35,000 feet. Petscort India supplies IATA-approved crates for dogs and cats of all sizes.

📦
Standards
IATA LAR
Airline Approved
All Major Carriers
🌡️
Ventilation
4-Side Vents
🐾
Pet Sizes
XS — XXL
What Is an IATA Approved Crate?

The Gold Standard in Pet Air Safety

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets the global standard for transporting live animals by air. An IATA-approved crate meets all requirements outlined in the Live Animals Regulations (LAR) — the aviation industry's mandatory bible for safe pet transport.

Without an IATA-compliant crate, most airlines will refuse to board your pet. Every crate Petscort India provides is built and verified to these standards, so your journey starts on the right foot.

IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR)

Published annually by IATA — the governing body for 290+ airlines worldwide. Petscort India follows the latest edition for every booking.

...
Mandatory for Cargo

Required by all airlines for pets travelling as checked cargo or excess baggage.

🔒
Escape-Proof Design

Bolt-secured doors, rigid walls, and tamper-resistant latches for complete security.

💧
Water & Food Ready

Integrated water/feed containers accessible from outside during transit.

🌬️
360° Ventilation

Vents on at least three sides — front, back, and both ends — for airflow.

Why It Matters

Why an IATA-Approved Crate Is Non-Negotiable

✈️
Airline Acceptance Guaranteed

Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Emirates and more will only accept pets in IATA-compliant crates. Wrong crate = denied boarding for your pet.

❤️
Your Pet's Safety & Comfort

Designed specifically for the pressure, temperature, and vibration conditions of air cargo holds — not just a plastic box with holes.

🛡️
Legal & Customs Compliance

Customs authorities and destination countries check crate compliance as part of import clearance. Non-compliant crates can delay or block entry.

↔️
Right-Sized for Your Pet

Pets must be able to stand, turn, and lie down naturally. IATA sizing rules prevent under-sizing — a common and dangerous mistake pet owners make.

🌡️
Withstands Cargo Conditions

Certified crates are structurally tested to withstand stacking, mechanical handling, and temperature changes in pressurised cargo holds.

💰
Avoids Costly Re-booking

Using a non-approved crate at check-in means your pet is refused and you miss the flight. The cost of a proper crate is minimal compared to rebooking fees.

IATA LAR Requirements

What Makes a Crate IATA Compliant?

The IATA Live Animals Regulations specify exact construction, material, ventilation, and labelling requirements. Here are the mandatory criteria every crate must meet:

⚠️ Important: Soft-sided carriers, mesh bags, and fabric totes — regardless of brand — do NOT qualify as IATA-approved crates for cargo travel. Only rigid, hard-sided crates with the correct hardware qualify.

  • Rigid, hard-sided construction — Solid plastic or fibreglass. No fabric, wire mesh only for ventilation panels, not walls.
  • Secure, bolt-closed door — Metal door with at least two latches. Spring-loaded clips alone are not compliant.
  • Ventilation on minimum 3 sides — At least 16% of total wall surface area must be ventilated openings on 3 or 4 sides.
  • Spacious interior — Pet must stand at natural height, turn around fully, and lie in natural position. No forced crouching.
  • Leak-proof floor — Solid, absorbent material (e.g. puppy pad) lining the base. Floor must not allow liquid to escape.
  • External water & food cups — Accessible from outside the crate without opening. Must be filled before departure.
  • Correct labelling — "Live Animals" sticker, directional arrows (This Way Up), owner details, and feeding instructions on the crate exterior.
  • No protrusions inside — All inner surfaces must be smooth. Nails, bolts, or sharp edges must not be accessible to the animal.
Interactive 1-Click Tool

Instant Crate Size Finder

Apne pet ki breed ya weight select karein, system automatically accurate IATA recommended crate calculate kar dega. Kuch bhi type karne ki zarurat nahi hai!

- OR -
🎯 Recommended Crate Box Match:

Calculating...

Crate Size Guide

Find the Right Crate Size for Your Pet

All dimensions are based on actual Petscort-supplied IATA crates. Sizes shown in both inches and centimetres. Always measure your pet — never guess by breed alone.

18 IN CRATE Toy / Very Small
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
18Length
12Breadth
14Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
45.7Length
30.5Breadth
35.6Height
20 IN CRATE Toy / Very Small
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
20Length
13Breadth
16Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
50Length
32.5Breadth
40Height
22 IN CRATE Small
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
22Length
13Breadth
16Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
56Length
32.5Breadth
40Height
24 IN CRATE Small
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
24Length
16Breadth
15.5Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
60Length
40Breadth
38.75Height
28 IN CRATE Small–Medium
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
28Length
19Breadth
21Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
70Length
47.5Breadth
52.5Height
32 IN CRATE Medium
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
32Length
23Breadth
24Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
80Length
57.5Breadth
60Height
36 IN CRATE Medium–Large
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
36Length
24Breadth
27Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
90Length
60Breadth
67.5Height
48 IN CRATE Giant / XXL
📐 Inches (L × B × H)
48Length
32Breadth
35Height
📏 CM (L × B × H)
120Length
80Breadth
87.5Height

📏 Pro Tip: Always size up if your pet is between sizes. IATA formula: Crate Length = Pet body length + ½ front leg height. When in doubt, WhatsApp us your pet's breed & weight — we'll recommend the right crate free of charge.

Breed Suitability Guide

Which Crate Size for Which Dog Breed?

18 – 22 IN 45 – 56 cm

Toy & Very Small Breeds

  • 🐶 Chihuahua
  • 🐶 Pomeranian
  • 🐶 Yorkshire Terrier
  • 🐶 Maltese
  • 🐱 Small Cats (Persian kitten, etc.)
  • 🐶 Toy Poodle
24 IN 60 cm

Small Breeds

  • 🐶 Pug
  • 🐶 Shih Tzu
  • 🐶 Lhasa Apso
  • 🐶 Dachshund
  • 🐱 Adult Cats (most breeds)
  • 🐶 Miniature Schnauzer
28 IN 70 cm

Small–Medium Breeds

  • 🐶 Beagle
  • 🐶 Cocker Spaniel
  • 🐶 French Bulldog
  • 🐶 Spitz
  • 🐶 Indian Pariah (small)
  • 🐶 Miniature Poodle
32 IN 80 cm

Medium Breeds

  • 🐶 Border Collie
  • 🐶 Shetland Sheepdog
  • 🐶 Whippet
  • 🐶 Indian Pariah (medium)
  • 🐶 Standard Schnauzer
  • 🐶 Dalmatian (puppy)
36 IN 90 cm

Medium–Large Breeds

  • 🐶 Labrador Retriever
  • 🐶 Golden Retriever
  • 🐶 Dalmatian (adult)
  • 🐶 Boxer
  • 🐶 Standard Poodle
  • 🐶 Siberian Husky
⭐ MOST POPULAR
40 IN 100 cm

Large Breeds

  • 🐶 German Shepherd
  • 🐶 Rottweiler
  • 🐶 Dobermann
  • 🐶 Belgian Malinois
  • 🐶 Weimaraner
  • 🐶 Large Labrador / Golden
48 IN 120 cm — Giant / XXL

Giant & Extra Large Breeds

  • 🐶 Saint Bernard
  • 🐶 Great Dane
  • 🐶 Tibetan Mastiff
  • 🐶 Newfoundland
  • 🐶 Irish Wolfhound
  • 🐶 Bernese Mountain Dog

⚠️ Always verify with measurements, not breed alone. Two dogs of the same breed can differ significantly in size. Use the IATA formula above, or WhatsApp us your pet's measurements for a free crate size confirmation.

Measurement Guide

How to Measure Your Pet for the Right Crate

Getting the measurement right is critical — an oversized crate makes the pet slide and stress, an undersized one is rejected at check-in. Follow these four steps.

Ask Us to Measure for You
1
Measure Body Length (A)

From the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (not the tail tip). Keep your pet standing naturally on all four legs.

2
Measure Height (B)

From the ground to the top of the head or ears — whichever is taller. For cats, measure to the top of their ears when sitting upright.

3
Measure Width (C)

The widest point of your pet's shoulders or hips (whichever is broader). This ensures comfortable side-to-side clearance inside the crate.

4
Apply the IATA Formula

Crate Length = A + (½ × front leg length from ground to elbow)
Crate Height = B + 5 cm clearance
Crate Width = C × 2
If the result falls between sizes — always choose the larger crate.

💡 Not sure? Share your pet's breed, age, and weight on WhatsApp at +91 95400 70744 and our team will recommend the exact crate size within minutes.

Important Notice

Snub-Nosed (Brachycephalic) Breeds

Many airlines have banned or heavily restricted flat-faced (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds from air travel, even in IATA-approved crates, due to higher risk of respiratory distress in pressurised holds.

If your pet is on this list, contact us before booking — we will advise on which airlines still accept these breeds, or recommend alternative transport options.

Check Your Breed Eligibility
⚠️ Breeds Commonly Restricted or Banned by Airlines
Dogs
  • Bulldog (English & French)
  • Pug
  • Boston Terrier
  • Boxer
  • Shih Tzu
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Chow Chow
  • Pekingese
  • Affenpinscher
  • Brussels Griffon
Cats
  • Persian
  • Himalayan
  • Exotic Shorthair
  • Scottish Fold
  • Burmese

Also Restricted
  • Mastiff breeds
  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire

Note: Breed restrictions vary by airline, season, and destination country. Some airlines ban all brachycephalic breeds year-round; others allow them on certain routes in temperature-controlled cargo. Petscort India will confirm airline-specific rules for your exact flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know About IATA Crates

No. Not all plastic crates are IATA-compliant. The crate must meet specific IATA LAR requirements: rigid hard-shell construction, metal bolt-lock door, ventilation on at least 3 sides, no inner protrusions, leak-proof floor, and external water/food cups. Common pet shop crates like those sold at supermarkets often fail at least one requirement. Petscort India only supplies crates verified to meet every IATA standard.

We supply IATA-approved crates as part of our pet relocation packages. Whether you are booking our full international relocation service or just need a crate for a self-managed journey, contact us and we will arrange the right crate size for your pet. Crate supply is bundled into our service or available separately — call us for current pricing.

Ideally 3 to 4 weeks before travel. Crate training helps your pet see the crate as a safe, comfortable space rather than a threat. Start by placing familiar bedding and treats inside, then gradually increase the time your pet spends in the crate with the door closed. A well-crate-trained pet will travel with significantly less stress. Petscort India can share a detailed crate-training schedule on request.

Yes, and we recommend it. A familiar scent inside the crate greatly reduces anxiety. Place a worn T-shirt or your pet's favourite blanket on the crate floor. Avoid hard toys that could injure your pet during turbulence. Do not place food bowls loose inside — only the fixed external food cups should be used for feeding during transit.

The crate must carry: (1) "Live Animals" sticker — minimum 2.5 cm letters on at least two sides; (2) directional "This Way Up" arrows on all four vertical sides; (3) owner contact details (name, address, phone) on origin and destination; (4) a feeding and watering instruction card; (5) a copy of the health certificate attached securely to the crate. Petscort India prepares and attaches all required labels as part of our service.

Most veterinarians and IATA guidelines advise against sedating pets for air travel. Sedatives affect a pet's ability to maintain balance and regulate body temperature in a moving environment, which can be dangerous in a cargo hold. Airlines may also refuse to accept a visibly sedated animal. If your pet has severe anxiety, discuss safe, vet-approved calming alternatives — such as natural supplements or pheromone sprays — with your veterinarian well before travel day.

Ready to Get Your Pet's IATA-Approved Crate?

Tell us your pet's breed, weight, and travel destination — Petscort India will handle everything from crate sizing to documentation, right up to safe arrival.

📍 E-1/393, Sonia Vihar, Delhi-110094  |  📞 +91 95400 70744  |  ✉️ info@petscort.co.in