admin

*The following information is about a new TSA policy and NOT a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulation. We are unable to provide any further guidance on this issue. Please contact the TSA for further assistance.

There is a new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directive known as "change 5" in effect as of 01 February 2009 that reads as follows:

Receiving Tendered Cargo (non-U.S. Origin shipments).
All shipments accepted in non-US locations from shippers other than Regulated Agents or International Air Transport Association (IATA)-Approved Agents must be tendered by a Cargo Agent, Consolidator, Freight Forwarder, All-Cargo Aircraft Operator or All-Cargo Foreign Air Carrier. Shipments can no longer be accepted from an entity which does not meet one of these definitions including Live Animals and Human Remains.

What does this mean?

All animals (pets) coming into the US booked as manifest cargo must be tendered at their origin airport by a "Regulated Agent" or "IATA-Approved."

Pets traveling with their owners as "excess luggage" (in the cargo hold under the plane but traveling with their owner) or in the passenger cabin being imported into the US are not affected by this regulation.



Who is affected?

• Animal show participants shipping pets as cargo overseas/across the US border
• Individuals living overseas who want to send their pets back to the US as cargo

All of the above must now go through a Registered Agent. This could be particularly difficult for someone living in a more remote city/country where there might not be a freight forwarder or registered agent who is capable and/or willing to book pets as cargo.



Who is not affected?

• People (Breeders, Pet Owners, etc.) shipping their pets as cargo within the US.
• People traveling with their pets as excess luggage or in-cabin within the US.
• People traveling with their pets as excess luggage or in-cabin into the US.