Accompanied Baggage is a term used for when your pet travels with you on your flight booking. Depending on your airline, the aircraft, and the number of pets already booked on your specific flight, this can mean they either travel with you in the cabin or are checked in at the departure counter and fly in the hold of the aircraft.
Whilst it is generally cheaper than travel as manifest cargo, when travelling with pets as accompanied baggage you are responsible for the flight booking, check-in process and all documents for your pets’ travel.
Not every airline offers this service so you may have to make a few calls to check your options.
Please note that whilst Saudi Arabia allows pets to arrive as Accompanied Baggage, not every country allows pets to depart this way, including South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Please ask your Expat Logistics Pet Relocation Specialist for more information re your specific trip.
Checklist for travelling with pets as accompanied baggage:
Does your pet have the correct vaccinations for entry to Saudi Arabia?
Has the vaccination book / certificate been completed correctly to meet the MEWA Import Permit requirements?
Do you have a pet carrier which meets your airline’s requirements for travel?
Do you have an International Health Certificate?
If your pet confirmed on your flight booking?
Do you have copies of the MEWA Import Permit, International Health Certificate and Vaccination Book/Certificate ready to hand over at departure and arrival?
Vaccination requirements for pet travel to Saudi Arabia
Importer requirements & Import Permits for pet travel to Saudi Arabia
How can Expat Logistics help if I am travelling with my pet as accompanied baggage?
For imports as accompanied baggage our service will be limited to a check of your documents to ensure your pet meets the entry requirements, and the application of the Import Permit on your behalf.
Can Expat Logistics assist with export permits / International Health Certificates from my origin country?
If you need assistance with the export requirements from your origin country, including the International Health Certificate, please visit www.IPATA.org where you will find contact details for local agents who can assist you.
Can I use any carrier when travelling with my pet as accompanied baggage?
If your pet will be travelling as accompanied baggage you must contact your airline and ask them for their pet carrier requirements. Each airline is different, and the maximum size may be subject to the specific aircraft type being flown on your route.
We are aware that airlines are not always transparent with regards to their requirements, but generally they will require all pets to travel in a secure lockable plastic carrier (or a soft bag if the pet has been accepted for travel in the cabin). Plastic carriers must have a water bowl and a food bowl which are securely fitted to the door, with a funnel to allow water to be topped up without opening the door. You should carry spare plastic cable ties / zip ties to secure the box in case security or customs wish to inspect your pet. This is only general advice, PLEASE confirm with your airline so you don't get turned away at check-in.
· Pet carriers made entirely of wire mesh are not permitted
· Wheels are not permitted
· Rigid plastic, or specially constructed carriers of hardwood, plywood or metal are acceptable for travel in the hold
· Doors may be either sliding with suitable locks to hold the door securely in place or hinged with a lock mechanism on the door pushing metal pins at least 1 cm into the cage frame when locked
· Floor must be solid, smooth, leak proof and have no protrusions
· Water bowls must be inside the carrier but accessible without opening the door
When should I check-in for my flight is travelling with my pet as accompanied baggage?
You must check with your airline in case they have any specific process for the airport you are departing from, but if no information is available, we recommend you arrive at the airport as soon as check-in opens so you have plenty of time to deal with any queries or wait for airport personnel to come and take your pet from the counter.
I have booked my flight, but the airline says my pet can’t travel on the same flight, why?
There could be multiple reasons why your pet is not accepted as baggage on your flight booking, for example:
· Your airline does not accept pets as accompanied baggage
· The airport you are travelling from cannot process pets as accompanied baggage
· The aircraft you are travelling on does not have a pressurised hold
· Your pet carrier is too large for the aircraft type you are travelling on
· Other pets have already been pre-booked (some airlines may only accept a limited number of pets per flight)
Do I have to use an agent if my pet is arriving as Accompanied Baggage?
No, you can organise the International Health Certificate and MEWA Import Permit yourself.
I am travelling with my pet as accompanied baggage; do I have to fly on a specific day of the week or time?
No, you can arrive on any flight, on any day of the week with your pet as accompanied baggage
I am travelling with my pet as accompanied baggage, what happens when I arrive in Saudi Arabia?
· We will send you a digital copy of your Import Permit once approved
· We recommend you prepare 3 sets of your pets’ documents before you travel; 1 set of originals and 2 sets of copies, each folder should include:
o MEWA Import Permit
o International Health Certificate
o Vaccination book / certificates (as submitted for the Import Permit)
· If your pet is with you in the cabin, you can leave the aircraft and proceed through immigration as normal
· If your pet has been placed in the aircraft hold it will be returned to you by the airline staff in the baggage hall, DO NOT leave the baggage hall without your pet as returning to this area can be difficult.
· When you pass through airport security you may be asked for your pets’ documents, if they make any requests, please follow their instructions
· MEWA may request you pay an inspection fee (confusingly, this is officially called an Inspection Appointment), you simply scan the QR code and pay the fee directly to MEWA
· Airport Security staff are responsible for all persons and belongings entering Saudi Arabia, if they are unsure, they may request for a MEWA vet to attend, and you may have to wait. Please be patient, they are just doing their job.
· If requested, give the Airport Security / MEWA Vet a set of document copies. DO NOT give away your original documents as these cannot be replaced
Provided all documents are in order you simply leave the terminal as usual with your pet and baggage