Applicable legislation

Live animals are accepted for transportation on Airline flights if they comply with:

  1. The current veterinary legislation of the Russian Federation, the EU, the USA, and the legislation of the countries of import, export, transit, or transfer, and of the corresponding authorities regarding air cargo transportation (requirements of the shipper and air carriers);
  2. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (hereinafter CITES);
  3. The IATA Live Animals Regulations;
  4. The Airline’s standards and procedures.

Note. General requirements of countries regarding transit, import, and export of live animals are described in the TACT Rules Manual.

Personnel training

Training of personnel responsible for the acceptance and handling of live animals must be conducted in accordance with the IATA Live Animals Training Program, aligned with the Airline’s updated rules and standards and approved by local competent authorities (if available), and must be accessible for review.

Personnel handling and accepting shipments containing live animals must complete initial training sufficient to meet all requirements of U6 Rules and Standards in daily operations. Training for personnel performing acceptance of live animals must follow the IATA-approved format.

All employees must undergo recurrent training every 3 years. Employees must be re-trained in case of significant changes to Airline Rules and/or Standards.

The carrier or the airline's authorized agent must appoint a responsible employee to oversee the implementation and maintenance of qualifications.

Airports of the Russian Federation

Personnel handling and accepting shipments containing live animals must complete initial training and strictly comply with the applicable laws, regulations, standards, and procedures related to handling and transporting live animals.

Language use

English must be used in addition to Russian in all transport documents, as well as on labelling, individual packaging, outer packaging, and cargo containers. When transporting animals within the Russian Federation, only Russian may be used.

Responsibilities of the Shipper and the Carrier

The shipper (or their agent) is responsible for:

  1. Arranging prior coordination in close cooperation with U6.
  2. Providing an accurate and properly completed Shipper’s Declaration, containing the Shipper’s Certificate for Live Animals (hereinafter Certificate) — including: classification of animals, origin, CITES protection categories, general condition;
  3. Placing the animals in a suitable and undamaged container (hereinafter Container) in accordance with the Rules, veterinary requirements, and U6 Standards (they must take measures to accommodate and feed the animal);
  4. Placing the animal in a safe location (suitable for transportation) and informing the carrier of special requirements during transportation — Feeding Instructions, sedatives, etc., providing additional feed in case of unforeseen flight delays;
  5. Informing the air carrier if the animal requires an escort during transportation and providing such escort. Escorts are responsible for the safety, care, and feeding of animals during transportation and ensuring the safety of others;
  6. Notifying the consignee about shipment arrival times. Notification is made after shipment confirmation; any changes must be additionally reported.

The carrier (GHA) is responsible for:

  1. Preliminary cargo inspection using a checklist;
  2. Processing the cargo in accordance with the Certificate and other instructions, as well as providing the best possible living conditions for the animals during transportation.

The carrier or its authorized agent is not responsible for loss, damage, or expenses arising from:

  1. Death of the animal from natural causes or the animal’s inability to withstand the conditions (changes) inherent in transportation;
  2. The animal’s health condition, characteristics, or properties (its resistance to cold, infection, etc.);
  3. Death or injury of the animal caused by its own behavior or by other animals, such as bites, blows, cuts, or suffocation;
  4. Death or injury of the animal caused by its own behavior or by other animals, such as bites, blows, cuts, or suffocation;

Animal classification

The Rules contain a list of live animals, scientific name, common name, packing requirements, and CITES restrictions (if applicable).

Example:

Scientific name Common name Type of animal Container requirements CITES restriction
Geochelone yniphora Madagascar tortoise R 43 I