How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Pet Internationally?

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What you’re actually paying for

International pet shipping isn’t one fee. It’s several separate costs, paid to different people at different stages. Here’s what makes up the total.

1. Airline freight fees

This is your pet’s flight, and it’s usually the biggest cost. Airlines don’t charge by your pet’s weight alone. They charge by the size of the crate, so a Great Dane can cost thousands more to fly than a Chihuahua on the same route.

Freight prices change with the airline, the route, the time of year and how much cargo space is available. Flying to Asia or Africa usually costs more than flying to Europe. Because it varies so much, the only accurate number is a quote for your pet’s actual crate size and route. Maroon Logistics gives you an estimate upfront, and you receive the airline’s final airway bill so you can see exactly what the airline charged.

2. The Maroon Logistics fee

With Maroon Logistics, you pay a fixed fee:

• $800 for the first pet
• $200 for each additional pet

This covers flight research, booking and check-in. We also add 10% of the airline shipping fee to cover changes the airline bills us for, such as a crate size change or a crate replacement during a layover.

So your total with us is:

Maroon Logistics fee + airline shipping fee + 10% of airline shipping fee + any optional items

A full-service pet shipper handles everything for you, but that convenience typically adds several thousand dollars to the cost. With DIY pet shipping, you handle the steps you’re comfortable with, and we handle the airline side.

3. Health certificate and vet exam

Almost every airline and country requires a health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian. The exam and certificate typically cost between $150 and $600. Vet pricing varies a lot between clinics, so it’s worth calling around. Depending on your destination, your pet may also need vaccinations, a microchip, parasite treatments or blood tests.

4. USDA endorsement

Once your vet completes the health certificate, it usually needs to be endorsed by the USDA. The USDA’s fee depends on how many lab tests are on the certificate:

• No lab tests: $101
• 1–2 tests: $160
• 3–6 tests: $206
• 7 or more tests: $275

There’s a small extra charge for each additional pet on the same certificate. Vaccines don’t count as tests. If paper documents are involved, you’ll also pay overnight FedEx shipping to and from the USDA.

5. The crate

Your pet must travel in an IATA-compliant crate. The standard plastic crates typically cost $100 to $900, depending on size. Larger breeds and breeds classed as aggressive by some airlines may need a heavier-duty crate, which usually cost $1000-2000.

6. Costs when your pet arrives

At the destination, you’ll usually pay:

• Airline terminal handling fees, generally $100–$250 depending on the destination
• Customs clearance, which you can often do yourself. Some countries require a customs agent, which typically costs $150–$1,000. Our guide to how pet customs clearance works explains what to expect.
• Import taxes, in some countries, usually when ownership of the pet is changing

If your destination requires quarantine, costs rise significantly.

7. Transport to and from the airport

If you can drive your pet to the airport and collect them on arrival, this cost is zero. If not, you’ll need a pet transport service.

The hidden costs that add up fast

These are the costs most people don’t plan for, and they’re what turn an affordable move into an expensive one.

Documents that don’t come back from the USDA in time. If the endorsed health certificate doesn’t arrive before the flight, your pet can’t travel. That means paying for extra boarding nights, and sometimes a brand-new vet exam if the original certificate has expired. Boarding while you wait costs $40-125 per night depending on species and services needed. Maroon Logistics works with ATL Pet Stop in Atlanta, which can help with boarding and vet appointments if your timeline slips.

Needing a bigger crate than you expected. Because airlines charge by crate size, moving up even one size can raise your freight cost noticeably. Most dogs need a larger crate than their owners expect, because your pet must be able to stand, turn around and lie down naturally. Measure your pet properly before you ask for a quote. Our IATA pet crate requirements guide shows you how.

Booking late or changing plans. Booking within 10 days of departure adds a $200 rush fee. Changing flights after booking adds a $100 rebooking fee. Check-ins on weekends, federal holidays or after hours add $200.

Airline restrictions. Temperature embargoes, breed restrictions and airline policy changes can force a rebooking. Knowing which airlines actually accept your pet before you book saves money. If you’ve already been turned away, read why you can’t find an airline to ship your pet.

DIY pet shipping vs a full-service pet shipper

	DIY with Maroon Logistics	Full-service pet shipper
Airline booking	Handled by us	Handled for you
Vet visits and paperwork	You manage	Handled for you
Airport drop-off	You, or a transport service	Handled for you
Service fee	$800 first pet, $200 each additional	Often several thousand dollars
Best for	Owners who want control and savings	Owners who want everything done for them

If you’d rather someone handle every step, our partner Feathers and Fur Express offers full-service international pet relocation.

What drives the cost: three example moves

Every move is priced individually, but these examples show where the money goes.

• A Chihuahua flying from Atlanta to Europe. This is one of the most affordable moves. A small crate keeps freight low, and many European countries have straightforward entry rules. Expect the Maroon Logistics fee, a modest freight charge, a vet exam and the $101 USDA endorsement if no lab tests are needed.
• A 40 lb dog flying from Atlanta to South Africa. A medium-to-large crate and a long route means freight is the biggest cost here. South Africa also has stricter paperwork, so plan for more vet visits, blood work, import permits, and a higher USDA fee.
• A German Shepherd flying from Atlanta to Thailand. This is one of the more expensive moves. An extra-large crate on a long-haul route to Asia pushes freight up significantly, and getting the crate size right matters most.

In every case, the fixed costs are predictable, and the airline freight is what changes. That’s why an accurate quote starts with your pet’s measurements.

How to keep your pet shipping costs down

Start early, so you’re never paying a rush fee. Measure your pet accurately, so your crate size and quote don’t change later. Book your vet appointment with the USDA timeline in mind, and leave a buffer for the documents to come back. Handle the steps you’re comfortable with yourself, like vet visits and airport drop-off. And use our pet departure checklist so nothing gets missed.

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