Is air travel safe for pets?
YES! Just like human passengers, most pets travel extremely well by air without suffering any adverse effects. Pets travel in a pressurised temperature-controlled section of the cargo hold and their carriers are securely strapped into position by trained airline staff.
Airlines and Airports are governed by very strict regulations when handling and transporting pets, and Expat Logistics, as a member of the IPATA (International Pet & Animal Transport Association), will always prioritise the welfare of your pet above all other considerations. We work with trusted agents across the world to ensure your pet reaches safely travels to their new home.
If you have any concerns regarding your pets’ health, you should discuss these with your vet before confirming your pets’ travel.
What vaccinations and documents are required for pets to travel from Saudi Arabia?
It is important to understand that every country has their own entry requirements for pets, but as a minimum your pet must have the below:
When should I start the process?
As soon as you can! Generally, we can book travel as manifest cargo in as little as 2-3 weeks, but the Export Permit takes 10 working days for approval, and some countries require many weeks, sometimes months of preparation for their import permits and quarantine.
Can my pet travel in the cabin with me?
There are 2 types of international pet travel:
Accompanied – This is when a pet travels with you in-cabin or in the hold, but booked under your passenger ticket for travel.
Manifest Cargo – This is where a pet travels under their own booking, even if you are travelling on the same flight.
Saudi Arabia does allow pets to depart as accompanied baggage, but many countries do not allow pets to enter this way on scheduled flights, including the UK, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Each airline has different rules and requirements for pets travelling as accompanied baggage from Saudi Arabia. As we are not a travel agent we can’t assist with the booking of pets as accompanied baggage, you will need to call your preferred airline and ask if your pet can be added to your booking.
How can Expat Logistics help if I am travelling with my pet as accompanied baggage?
For exports 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.
- Document review & destination advice
- MEWA Export Permit application
- Supporting documents (as required)
- Fit-to-travel examination & required treatments for your destination ( including transport to the vet for pets located within Riyadh city limits)
- Country-specific Health Certificates (where required)
- Vet Export Health Certificate
- Ministry Final Health Certificate & fees (issued day prior to travel)
- Delivery of documents within Riyadh (within 24 hours of departure)
How can Expat Logistics help if my pet is travelling as manifest cargo?
We offer a full service for pets flying as manifest cargo from Riyadh Airport, we are not able to provide a service for manifest cargo departures from any other airports in Saudi Arabia.
Our service includes:
- Collection from anywhere within Saudi Arabia
· Vet Health Certificate and Fit to Fly check
· Review of your documents for entry to your destination
· MEWA Export Permit application on your behalf
· Manifest cargo booking
· Customs broker, Handling & Airfreight fees and all associated fees, Cargo OK to Forward Service
· Arrival clearance
· Delivery to your home