VA vs China Airlines Pet Transportation Fees/Regulations Real-World Test 2026

Bringing a furry friend on a plane is already stressful enough, and seeing the "pet transportation fee" on the quote can be a gut punch—especially when you realize the two major airlines each have their own rules. What's actually different? In this article, the Miao Editor lays out the key pet transportation policies of Taiwan's two flagship carriers, EVA Air and China Airlines, side by side, so you know exactly what to expect before departure.

What to Prepare Before Flying with Your Pet

Whether you choose EVA Air or China Airlines, the airline is only responsible for "transporting"—whether your pet can actually board depends entirely on how well you prepare. Here are the three pieces of the puzzle that are most often overlooked.

Required Documents

• Animal Health Certificate: Issued by a licensed veterinarian within 7 days of departure; some destination countries require it within 10 days
• Microchip Registration Certificate: Must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards, using a 15-digit microchip
• Rabies Vaccination Certificate: Must be within the validity period; some countries additionally require an antibody titer test report
• Entry Permit: Quarantine documents required by the destination country—regulations vary widely among Japan, Korea, and EU member states

If even one document is missing, there's no time to fix it when you arrive at the airport. Miao Editor recommends photographing and backing up all paperwork at least 14 days before departure, and contacting the airline's cargo department to confirm any additional documents required for your specific route.

Crate Requirements

Both airlines follow the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), and the basic requirements are the same:

• The pet must be able to stand naturally, sit down, and turn around
• A fixed, spill-proof water container must be attached inside the crate
• The bottom must be lined with an absorbent pad
• The crate must be rigid and able to withstand pressure

Temperature Restrictions

This is a point many pet owners overlook. Airlines decide whether to accept your pet based on real-time and forecasted temperatures at the origin and destination airports:

• Typical dog breeds: If ground temperature exceeds 29°C (84°F) or falls below 7°C (45°F), a warning note is added or the booking is refused
• Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds: Restrictions are stricter—complete summer embargoes are common
• The airline will reconfirm local temperatures 24–48 hours before departure

EVA Air vs. China Airlines: Pet Transportation Fees and Rules Comparison

The two airlines differ noticeably in pricing logic, acceptance scope, and booking procedures. Miao Editor has organized the most frequently asked items into the table below. For actual pricing, please refer to the latest quote from each airline's cargo department.

A few commonly overlooked differences:

• Booking Window: Both airlines have limited pet-cargo slots. Popular routes (Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok) during peak season are often fully booked. Miao Editor recommends contacting the airline at least 14–30 days before departure.
• Rebooking Policy: When flights change, each airline handles pet transportation slightly differently. In some cases, documents must be reissued—or even cargo space must be rebooked.
• Transit Routes: For itineraries involving a third-country transfer, acceptance must be confirmed on a route-by-route basis, and the transit country's quarantine rules must also be met. Miao Editor recommends flying direct whenever possible.

What to Do When Short-Nosed Breeds Are Banned in Summer?

During the summer months, EVA Air and China Airlines essentially impose a full embargo on brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, including French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Pekingese, and Shih Tzus. This is because these breeds face extremely high respiratory risks in the high-altitude, high-temperature cargo environment, so airlines refuse them at the source.

If your pet is a short-nosed breed, here are some alternatives Miao Editor has put together.

Alternative 1: Choose a Different Airline

• Some foreign carriers (such as Asiana, Singapore Airlines, and ANA) have relatively relaxed policies toward short-nosed breeds—check each carrier's current-season rules individually
• Some airlines will accept short-nosed dogs in "reinforced climate-controlled crates" with a signed risk acknowledgment, though availability varies by season
• Email the cargo department of your chosen airline directly before departure to ask whether your route is accepting pets that month

Alternative 2: Move Your Travel Dates Forward or Back

• Shift your itinerary to winter to avoid the summer embargo
• Spring and autumn are the most favorable seasons for short-nosed breeds to travel internationally, but be mindful of temperatures at the destination

Alternative 3: Professional Pet Transport Services

• Customs brokers specializing in international pet relocation can help with documentation, cargo booking, and airport transfers
• Fees are higher than booking directly with the airline, but this option is more convenient for owners unfamiliar with paperwork or short on time
• Large dogs (such as Great Pyrenees, Tibetan Mastiffs, and Golden Retrievers) often need to go through this channel because the combined pet + crate weight easily exceeds the standard limit

Alternative 4: Compare Cargo Options

• The cargo departments of the two major airlines remain the most common choice
• Some international freight companies (such as FedEx and UPS pet services in specific regions) offer dedicated cargo aircraft transportation, suitable for large dogs or special species
• Pure cargo flights offer more flexible scheduling, but fees are typically higher than passenger-aircraft checked cargo, and you must arrange customs clearance at the departure and arrival points separately

Miao Editor's Reminders

Q1: What should I prepare before departure?

A health certificate (within 7 days), microchip certificate, rabies vaccination certificate, entry documents required by the destination country, an IATA-compliant rigid airline crate, a water container, and an absorbent pad. Miao Editor recommends having everything ready at least 14 days before departure and contacting the airline's cargo department to confirm the route's current acceptance status.

Q2: What if my pet exceeds the size or weight limit?

Both airlines have a maximum combined pet + crate weight. If you exceed the limit, consider the following:

• Switch to a smaller crate (provided it still meets IATA standards)
• Use a freight forwarder specializing in large pets
• Transport large dogs overland or by sea (feasible for routes to Hong Kong, Macau, and parts of Southeast Asia)

Q3: What if I discover missing documents on the day of travel?

There's virtually no way to recover. The Animal Health Certificate must be issued by a veterinarian and cannot be obtained on the same day. Miao Editor recommends leaving a 7–10 day buffer for paperwork. If any document is incomplete, do not depart.

Q4: What if the price suddenly increases?

Pet transportation fees are usually calculated on a weight-based system—the heavier the animal and the longer the route, the higher the cost. Recommendations:

• Request quotes from both EVA Air and China Airlines for comparison
• Shift your departure date forward or back by 1–2 days; pricing can vary significantly between flights
• If your schedule is flexible, avoid traveling during peak season

Pet transportation policies may change at any time. Actual fees, temperature restrictions, size limits, and booking procedures are subject to the latest announcements from each airline's cargo department. Before finalizing your plans, be sure to call the airline directly or consult a professional customs broker to obtain a written quote and acceptance confirmation for your specific route. Only then can you ensure your furry companion gets safely onto the plane.