For full details of service and cargo requirements for shipping animals and pets.
Australian domestic requirements
Maximum weight and dimensions
65kgs including cage 180 x 70 x 80cm
Booking hours
Monday to Friday 08:30 - 17:30
Cargo & Document cut-off
*90 minutes before departure
Cargo & Document release
*30 minutes after arrival
*The above times may vary and are subject to local conditions.
The following guidelines are designed to protect the welfare of dogs and cats travelling with us, whilst also complying with occupational health and safety legislation. We reserve the right to refuse carriage of pets which are not travelling in a container that meets requirements.
The container must be:
- supplied by you or purchased from Toll Air Express within Australia
- in good repair so that the dog or cat cannot escape
- enough room so the animal can turn around while standing and lie down without being cramped
- lined with absorbent material so that water or excreta does not escape
- strong enough to withstand damage
- made of metal or a polypropylene material with no wheels attached. Powerful and strong animals including Staffies, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Rottweilers etc can break through plastic and need to be in a suitably robust container.
If travelling into Tasmania, your dog must be treated for the Hydatids Tapeworm prior to arrival into Tasmania. Pets travel in the cargo hold, except for authorised guide or hearing assistance dogs.
To travel with us, your pet must:
- appear to be in good health
- be not unduly aggressive
- be over 8 weeks old. This is due to possible dehydration while travelling. For dogs or cats under 12 weeks old, we recommend you obtain a veterinary certificate, as some breeds are more susceptible to dehydration
- be housed in a container which complies with our pet cage requirements.
If you wish to sedate your animal so it does not become anxious, contact your Vet for expert advice. We do not take responsibility for the consequences of sedating pets prior to flying.
It is very important to ensure your pet has had some water prior to being lodged for carriage as they could suffer from dehydration when flying.
If your animal appears unwell or dehydrated on lodgement, for the animal’s benefit, we may refuse acceptance for carriage.
Please ensure you follow these guidelines for your pet's safe travel:
- your pet must arrive washed and clean
- your pet should be fit, well and capable of travelling
- ensure your pet has been to the toilet
- ensure your pet is hydrated
Toll Air Express will not accept cats or dogs under the age of eight weeks due to the possible adverse health effects associated with air travel. By sending your animal with us you are confirming that your animal is over 8 weeks old.
Any added cost incurred such as providing alternative transport or services such as kennelling or veterinary fees is at our discretion and these costs will be paid by the owner. Any animals not paid for may not be loaded on the aircraft.
International requirements
Toll Air Express can only accept pets sent by regulated International Air Transport Association (IATA) cargo agents. If you are not an IATA agent please contact Toll Priority for assistance on 13 15 31 or contact us for assistance.
- all pets have to complete quarantine requirements before travel
- bookings must be made three working days prior to shipment
- pets are only accepted by Toll Air express on Pacific Blue direct sector only
- all animals to be collected from destination Cargo Terminal Operator.
- all animals to be booked by preferred "pet transport supplier"
If you are a regulated air cargo agent and would like to discuss booking pets on Toll Air Express please contact your local office.
Complete a Live Animal Booking Sheet (International) PDF 68.2 KB and email to your local office. This will be forwarded to the receiving port's Quarantine Department who grant approval for the transport of your pet.
Booking for international destinations must be received at a minimum of three days(excluding weekends and public holidays) prior to arrival.
All paperwork, permits and licence are the responsibility of regulated air cargo agent (Pet Transport company)
Please note we only accept pets to and from the following locations:
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Port Moresby
- Tonga
- Apia
- Nadi
- Christchurch
- Auckland
The following container guidelines are designed to protect the welfare of pets travelling with us whilst also complying with occupational health and safety legislation. Toll Air Express reserve the right to refuse carriage of pets presented in a container which does not comply with the following requirements:
Acceptable Cages
Each container must be:
- robust, durable and able to withstand impact
- suitable for the animal being carried
- in good repair, to prevent the animal, water or excreta from escaping.
The container must have:
1. adequate space to allow the animal to:
- turn about normally while standing
- stand and sit erect
- lie down in a natural position
2. handles or adequate lifting points
3. maximum allowable weight is 65kgs including the cage
4. adequate ventilation
5. maximum allowable container dimensions are 80cm (H) X 70cm (W) X 120cm (L)
6. a solid floor lined with paper/absorbent material to ensure that any water or excreta cannot escape.
Two piece plastic containers
Two piece containers must have the two sections secured by properly installed nuts and bolts or screws. Plastic clips and plastic turning style clips will not be accepted. Plastic turn style clips can be removed and replaced with nuts and bolts to make the container acceptable for transport. The door must form the whole of one end of the container and can either be hinged or sliding, but must be one of these options.
Wood / Plywood containers
These containers will only be accepted if they meet the requirements detailed in the current International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations. Frame construction to be 2.5cm x 7.5cm the plywood walls need to be a minimum of 12mm.
If you wish to sedate your animal so it does not become anxious, contact your vet for expert advice. Toll Air Express does not take responsibility for the consequences of sedating pets prior to flying.
Your animal could get dehydrated when flying, so it is very important to ensure it has had some water prior to being lodged for carriage.
If your animal appears unwell or dehydrated on lodgement, for the animal’s benefit, we may refuse acceptance for carriage.
Please ensure you follow these guidelines for your pet's safe travel:
- your pet must arrive washed and clean
- your pet should be fit, well and capable of travelling
- ensure your pet has been to the toilet
- ensure your pet is hydrated.
Toll Air Express will take the best care and make best provision for the safe and expedient transport of animals. We accept no responsibility for the welfare of the animal, nor any liability for the animals value, vet fees, replacement costs or disposal should for any reason the animal should be injured or die in transit.
Toll Air Express can provide you a copy of our standard terms and conditions of acceptance and carriage.
Toll Air Express will not accept for transport cats or dogs under the age of eight (8) weeks due to the possible adverse health effects associated with air travel. By sending your animal with us you are confirming that the animal is over eight (8) weeks old.
Any added costs incurred such as providing alternative transport or services such as kennelling or veterinary fees is at our discretion and these costs will be paid by the owner or shipper.
All animals travel in the pressurised cargo hold of the aircraft, except for authorised guide or hearing assistance dogs.
For acceptance to travel, your animal must:
- appear to be in good health
- be not unduly aggressive
- be over eight weeks old. This is due to possible dehydration while travelling. For dogs or cats under 12 weeks old, we recommend you obtain a veterinary certificate, as some breeds are more susceptible to dehydration
- be housed in a container which complies with the Toll Air Express Pet Cage Requirements