An IATA-compliant crate is required for every dog and cat travelling in the aircraft hold. A crate that is too small, made of the wrong materials, or incorrectly assembled will be refused at check-in — and your pet stays behind.
The good news is that calculating the right size, understanding the material requirements, and checking the label requirements is straightforward once you know what to look for. This guide covers all of it.
IATA Live Animals Regulations are updated annually. Verify the current edition requirements with your airline or agent before purchasing a crate.
Why IATA Standards Exist
IATA (International Air Transport Association) sets the container requirements for live animals in air cargo to ensure the animal's safety, welfare, and the ability of cargo staff to handle the shipment safely. Airlines that carry live animals as cargo follow IATA standards, often with additional airline-specific requirements on top.
Singapore's CAPQ also uses IATA crate standards as a baseline for the physical inspection on arrival. If your pet arrives in a soft carrier or a non-compliant rigid crate, the CAPQ agent is required to transfer them into a compliant crate before clearance can proceed (at an additional cost).
The Right Crate Type: IATA Container Requirement 1 (CR1)
For dogs and cats travelling as cargo, the required crate type is IATA Container Requirement 1 (CR1). This is a rigid, hard-sided crate.
Soft carriers (fabric-sided, collapsible) are only for in-cabin travel where the airline permits pets in the cabin. For hold travel — which is what most pets use on long-haul routes to Singapore — a rigid CR1 crate is required.
Materials Required
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Walls and floor | Rigid hard plastic, fibreglass, welded metal, or solid wood |
| Door | Metal mesh or metal bars |
| Fasteners | Metal bolts (not plastic clips or twist-locks) |
| Ventilation | Openings on at least 3 sides; mesh or bars only |
| Floor | Solid or mesh with leak-proof tray |
| Interior | Smooth surfaces with no sharp edges |
Metal bolts, not plastic clips. This is the most commonly failed requirement. Many retail pet crates use plastic wing-nut fasteners. These are not accepted for hold travel. Replace them with metal bolts or purchase a crate that ships with metal hardware.
How to Size the Crate
The crate must be large enough for your pet to:
- Stand upright without their head or ears touching the ceiling
- Turn around completely in a natural stance
- Lie down in a natural position
The standard calculation:
| Measurement | How to measure |
|---|---|
| Length (A) | Pet standing: nose tip to base of tail |
| Height (B) | Pet sitting upright: floor to top of head (or ear tips for dogs with erect ears) |
| Width (C) | Widest point of the pet (usually across the shoulders) |
| Depth (D) | Pet from chest to hindquarters |
Take all measurements with your pet standing, and measure at their largest dimension. Then verify those dimensions against the formula above.
Example for a medium dog:
- Nose to tail: 60cm → minimum crate length: 90cm
- Floor to head (sitting): 55cm → minimum crate height: 55cm
- Widest point: 40cm → minimum crate width: 80cm
When in doubt, go up a size. A crate that is slightly too large is acceptable. A crate that is too small fails the inspection.
Weight Limits
Airlines cap the combined weight of the pet and crate. Weight limits vary by airline. Check with your specific carrier for your route. For Singapore Airlines Cargo, contact the live animal desk for current weight limits.
Very large dogs with large crates may exceed the limits of some aircraft types. This is one reason to confirm with SIA Cargo or your carrier before purchasing the crate.
Required Labels
All sides of the crate must have:
| Label | Details |
|---|---|
| "Live Animal" | In English; large lettering on at least 2 sides |
| Upward-pointing arrows | On all 4 sides; indicate correct orientation |
| Owner contact information | Name, address, phone number in Singapore |
| Pet identity label | Species, breed, sex, age, name of pet |
| Food and water instructions | When last fed and watered |
Some airlines require additional labels. Your agent or airline can advise on their specific requirements.
What Airlines Check
At check-in, airline staff typically check:
- Crate is rigid and properly assembled (metal bolts fastened)
- Ventilation openings are present and not blocked
- The pet can stand, turn, and lie down
- Labels are present and legible
- Water container is attached inside the crate
- The crate is not overly soiled
Some airlines (including Singapore Airlines Cargo) may also check maximum crate height against aircraft-specific hold height limits. Confirm maximum dimensions for your specific flight before purchasing.
What CAPQ Checks on Arrival
CAPQ officers inspect the crate as part of the physical clearance process:
- Crate is structurally intact after the journey
- Pet is accessible for microchip scanning
- Any transfer needed (soft to rigid) is arranged by the agent
If your pet arrived in a non-compliant crate, your CAPQ agent manages the crate transfer. This takes additional time and incurs a crate hire or transfer fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same crate for multiple trips? Yes, as long as it remains structurally sound and meets current IATA requirements. Inspect the crate before each trip for cracks, damaged fasteners, or blocked ventilation.
My crate has plastic bolts. Can I replace them before travel? Yes. Metal replacement bolt hardware for common crate models is available online. Many pet owners upgrade the hardware rather than purchasing a new crate. Ensure the replacement bolts are fully threaded through the crate walls and cannot be pulled out.
My dog is very large. Are there crates available for giant breeds? Yes, but very large crates may exceed the hold dimensions of some aircraft. Confirm the maximum crate dimensions for your specific airline and flight before purchasing.
Can my pet travel with a blanket or toy? Yes, within reason. Absorbent bedding is actually required. A favourite blanket or worn t-shirt can help calm an anxious animal during the flight. Remove any items that could become lodged in the ventilation openings.
What if my pet was crated in a soft carrier at the origin but needs a hard crate for the flight? Purchase the hard crate before your pet's flight, and let your pet spend time in the new crate before travel to familiarise them with it. A pet that has never been in a hard crate may be more stressed if the first experience is at the airport.
Your CAPQ agent can advise on crate requirements specific to your route and airline. Contact our team for help with the full Singapore pet import process.
Source: IATA Live Animals Regulations (current edition). Verify with your airline for aircraft-specific and route-specific requirements.