• All live animal shipments booked via Delta Cargo must be tendered at a Delta Cargo Warehouse location. Visit our Worldwide Locations page for our warehouse locations.

Shippers must comply with Delta Cargo’s Live Animal Policies and Requirements when transporting commercial live animals.

• The list of U.S. domestic transportation requirements for commercial live animals can be found here Open in Pdf.

• The list of international transportation requirements for commercial live animals can be found here Open in Pdf.

The booking window is 1-14 days prior to departure.  

Regulatory & Delta Cargo Requirements

1. Temperature Policy: Forecasted temperatures must be between 20-80°F when the animal is in Delta’s care while on the ground, including all times at origin, transfer, and destination. Acclimation certificate is required when the lowest forecasted temperature on the ground is between 20-45°F. The acclimation certificate must be approved by a USDA accredited veterinarian and must provide the exact minimum temperature that the animal(s) has been acclimated to. Temperature policy applies to all mammals animals (except for laboratory mice and rats).

2. Minimum Age: Warm-blooded animals must be weaned, fledged (birds) and self-feeding for a period of at least 5 consecutive days. “Weaned” refers to a mammal that has been taking solid food without nursing or a bird that has been self-feeding without supplemental feeding from a parent or caretaker. “Fledged” refers to a bird that has developed enough feathers to fly."

3. Health Certificate

a) Domestic Health Certificate must be signed by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within 10 days of travel, and it is required for Specialty warm-blooded animals traveling to any destination within the Continental US or for all animals traveling to destination Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico.

b) International Health Certificate must be signed within 10 days of travel. The USDA APHIS site provides the regulatory requirements for live animals traveling internationally.

• US Exports: Signed by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian & endorsed by an APHIS Veterinarian. 
• US Imports: Signed by the Veterinary Authority in the country of origin. 

4. Container Requirements: All animals must be shipped in containers that comply with the current version of IATA LAR for the animal species. For assistance, please contact liveanimals@delta.com Open in mail.

5. Shippers Certification and Journey Declaration Form Open in Pdf must be completed in full by the Shipper and presented to the Cargo Agent at acceptance.

6. Overnight Stay Policy: Overnight stay is NOT allowed for any warm-blooded animal shipments.

7. Feeding and Watering Instructions Label (provided by the Cargo Agent) must be completed in full by the Shipper. One label must be placed on top of each container to be transported. This label is required for all warm-blooded animals’ shipments (except for laboratory mice and rats, and day-old chicks).

8. Additional Permits: May be required based on animal species and destination. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify all applicable regulations and secure any necessary permits prior to shipment.

a) Domestic: Review U.S. State and Territory Animal Entry Requirements | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or the Migratory Bird Permits | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for birds.

b) International: Review the following permits that may be necessary; but not limited to: CITES, CDC, US Fish and Wildlife Services, International animal transport permits, etc.

9. Special Labels / Markings: For SPF laboratory animals, one (1) red “Laboratory Animal” label (provided by the Shipper) affixed to each container. Containers holding animals that can inflict poisonous bites or stings shall be clearly marked “VENOMOUS” or “POISONOUS” in bold letters at least one inch (2.5 cm) high.

Additional Restrictions

• Live animal shipments are limited to one (1) connecting city.

• Interline shipments (transfer to another air carrier) are prohibited.

• Non-human primates’ shipments are allowed only when shipped between zoos, sanctuaries, preserves or rehabilitation centers. 

• Shipments of Rope Squirrels, Gambian Giant Pouched Rats, Tree Squirrels, Dormice, Striped Mice or Brush-Tailed Porcupines are prohibited, except when shipped to entities under guidance by Federal, State or local government authorities.

Delta will NOT accept animals if:

• Documented requirements or restrictions are unmet.

• The animals have horns.

• The animal is visibly ill, injured, or distressed (unless traveling for veterinary care).

• Requires medication to be administered during flight. 

• Displays obvious signs of aggression or makes determined efforts to escape their crate.

• The animal is deceased, and its remains are untreated.

On the Day of Departure:

• For timely processing, animals should be tendered 4 to 6 hours before departure for U.S. domestic shipments and 6 hours before departure for international shipments. 

• Shipments must be accepted no later than 2.5 hours prior to departure for domestic travel and 4 hours prior for international travel. Arrivals close to or after the cut-off time will require rebooking.

• Animals may not remain in the station overnight in anticipation of an early flight the next morning. 

• All Live Animals: 
  • Shipper's Certification and Journey Declaration Open in Pdf
  • Air waybill from your booking confirmation (must contain common name, quantity of animals in the shipment and 24-hour emergency contact telephone number). ​
  • Health Certificate to be completed by a veterinarian
    • Domestic Health Certificate must be signed by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
    • International Health Certificate must be signed within 10 days of travel. 
    • US Exports: Signed by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian & endorsed by an APHIS Veterinarian. 
    • US Imports: Signed by the Veterinary Authority in the country of origin. 

Special Circumstances:

• If the temperature is between 20-45 deg F, an acclimation certificate is required. for all warm-blooded animals (except laboratory mice and rats). The acclimation certificate must be approved by a USDA accredited veterinarian and must provide the exact minimum temperature that the animal(s) has been acclimated to. 
• Certain animal shipments (zoo-to-zoo, international, etc.) might require extra permits or documentation. 

  It is the customer’s responsibility to verify all applicable regulations and secure any necessary permits prior to shipment. Please contact the Live Animal Desk (liveanimals@delta.com) for more information. 

• Due to a recent court order from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the transport of live tropical fish from Hawaii for aquarium purposes is prohibited. To ensure Delta Cargo complies with the court order, a temporary embargo has been placed on all Live Tropical Fish (LTF) shipments exit Hawaii until further notice.

• Ample time is required to check in live animal shipments on the day of departure. The acceptance cut-off time is 2.5 hours prior to departure for domestic travel and 4 hours prior to departure for international travel. All live animal shipment information must be entered in our system prior to the acceptance cut-off time. Arrival close to or after the cut-off time will warrant rebooking.
• The drop-off time for domestic travel is a maximum of 6 hours and a minimum of 4 hours prior to departure, and 6 hours prior to departure for international travel. Animals may not remain in the station overnight in anticipation of an early flight the next morning. 
• The recovery time after arrival at the destination is 2 hours for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights.
• Click here Open in Pdf for more information. Refer to the column titled "Specialized Live," product codes LIV and/or AVA.

United for Wildlife - https://unitedforwildlife.org/ Open in New Window

• United for Wildlife brings together private sector organizations with conservation groups and law enforcement agencies to stop the trafficking of wildlife products through our Financial Taskforce, Transport Taskforce, and Regional Chapters. Delta Cargo has committed to the protection and preservation of wildlife and has joined United for Wildlife as of April 2023 under the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products agreement, signed at Buckingham Palace in London.

International Air Transport Association - https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/ Open in New Window

• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world's airlines. IATA supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues, including but not limited to Live Animals Regulations, which are the industry standards for the safe transport of live animals by air. Delta Air Lines is proud to be 100% compliant with IATA LAR and will continue to work with IATA to further enhance the live animal product.

Animal Transportation Association - https://www.animaltransportationassociation.org/ Open in New Window

• A non-profit association dedicated to the safe and humane transportation of animals worldwide, ATA is committed to helping our members innovate and succeed with the benefit of shared insights, connections, and expertise. As part of ATA, animal transporters can network, learn from each other, and work collaboratively to overcome challenges. Delta Cargo is a proud member of ATA as we strive to offer the best-in-class live animal transportation proposition in the market.

International Pet and Animal Transportation Association - https://www.ipata.org/ Open in New Window

• The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) is a non-profit trade association of independent members who are dedicated to the safe and humane transport of pets. Delta Cargo is a proud member of IPATA as we work with professional pet shippers to safeguard the health and well-being of pets entrusted to us.