The IATA Live Animals Regulations — the LAR — are the global standard framework for the commercial air transport of live animals. Published annually and updated each October 1st, the LAR is the reference document for everyone involved in booking, accepting or handling live animal cargo.
What the LAR covers
- Reservations and advance arrangements — how to book live animal cargo and interline rules
- Documentation — shipper's certification, AWB requirements and acceptance checklists
- Container requirements — species-specific container dimensions and construction standards
- Carrier regulations — individual airline variations from the standard requirements
- Government regulations — country-by-country import and export requirements
The LAR certificate
IATA offers an LAR training certificate (CGC009EBEN01) testing knowledge of live animal regulations — 60 questions, 80% pass mark, valid 36 months. As of September 2025, Cathay Cargo explicitly requires either IPATA membership, IATA accreditation or a valid LAR certificate for direct live animal booking access.
Annual updates
The LAR is updated annually. The 2026 edition includes new kennel requirements for certain power breeds on Lufthansa, updated brachycephalic breed restrictions and new interline restrictions on Turkish Cargo. What was accepted last year may not be accepted this year.
Carrier variations
Individual airlines can vary from LAR standard requirements. Not all carriers publish their variations publicly — some only communicate them through direct booking relationships.