Flying China Southern with your dog? Here's the headline: the cabin isn't an option, so your dog travels in the hold. That single fact shapes your whole checklist, from crate sizing to booking timing. Pixel would sulk about the seating arrangement, but the science here is simpler than it sounds once you know the rules. Let's turn China Southern's requirements into a clean, do-this-next list you can actually work through.
China Southern's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How China Southern handles your pet Cats allowed in cabin on most routes; subject to same health and documentation requirements as dogs. Fees quoted in CNY for domestic routes, USD or other currencies for international routes.
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✗ Not accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedNo animal can be brought into the passenger cabin except the guide dogs. verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedAll small living creatures being transported as checked baggage must be transported in a container that allows oxygen to circulate and reach the creature verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesShort-nosed canines：Affenpinscher、Bosto n Terrier、Boxers(all breeds)、Brussels Griffin、 Bulldog(all breeds)、Bull Terrier、Pug(all breeds)、Cane Corso、Chow Chow、Dogue de Bordeaux、English Toy Spaniel、Japanese Chin/Japanese… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Shih Tzu Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Cane Corso Dogue de Bordeaux Affenpinscher Japanese Chin Shar Pei Mastiff Short-nosed canines：Affenpinscher、Boston Terrier、Boxers(all breeds)、Brussels Griffin、 Bulldog(all breeds)、Bull Terrier、Pug(all breeds)、Cane Corso、Chow Chow、Dogue de Bordeaux、English Toy Spaniel、Japanese Chin/Japanese… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks Age requirements It is not wise to fly a puppy or kitten in the cargo hold less than 15 weeks of age; however, the minimum age of transport is 8 weeks of age when flying with Air China verified 2026-07-22 Hold: Advance booking notice 24 hours Passengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesPassengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Max pets per passenger 1 only one pet per passenger is allowed verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Nursing allowed ✗ NoInformation Pregnant or lactating pets are not permitted to fly with Air China. verified 2026-07-22 Hold: Advance notice hours 24 hours Passengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoShort-nosed canines and felines as well as aggressive breeds of these animals cannot be carried onto a flight The aggressive dog breeds and breeds of short-nosed felines and canines that are prohibited from using… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Carrier size 90 × 60 × 66 cm Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as checked baggage, carriers must not exceed 35" x 23" x 25" (90 cm x 60 cm x 66 cm) or be less than 2" x 6" x 8" (5 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm). verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg The cage size used to transport a single small animal must not be larger than 90x60x66cm or smaller than 5x15x20cm. The maximum weight should not exceed 32kg. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier, water bowl Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as checked baggage, carriers must not exceed 35" x 23" x 25" (90 cm x 60 cm x 66 cm) or be less than 2" x 6" x 8" (5 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm). verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yesa) only allow small living creatures to arrive or depart as cargo. Please check this carefully before you depart. Requirement verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Chow Chow Cane Corso Dogue de Bordeaux Affenpinscher Japanese Chin Short-nosed canines：Affenpinscher、Boston Terrier、Boxers(all breeds)、Brussels Griffin、 Bulldog(all breeds)、Bull Terrier、Pug(all breeds)、Cane Corso、Chow Chow、Dogue de Bordeaux、English Toy Spaniel、Japanese Chin/Japanese… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks Age requirements It is not wise to fly a puppy or kitten in the cargo hold less than 15 weeks of age; however, the minimum age of transport is 8 weeks of age when flying with Air China. verified 2026-07-22 Cargo: Advance booking notice 48 hours Passengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight, and an approval from CSAIR is required for the consignment. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesAll required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in. Air China Pet Policy – Checked Baggage All dogs and cats traveling with an adult passenger will be transported as checked… verified 2026-07-23 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✗ NoInformation Pregnant or lactating pets are not permitted to fly with Air China. verified 2026-07-22 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Nod offensive animals (such as snakes) are not considered to be small animals and cannot be transported as baggage. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg To qualify for transport in the hold, the combined weight of your pet and carrier should not exceed 70 lbs (32 kg) or 2 household birds in the same carrier. verified 2026-07-01 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Small animals must be kept in a suitable and sturdy carrier made of metal, tough plastic, or wood. verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesRelated: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination… verified 2026-07-22 Health certificate validity 10 days Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required fo Related:… verified 2026-07-22 Microchip · Required ✓ YesValid quarantine and rabies vaccination certificates required. ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. thern Airlines flights. Pets in Checked Baggage Small animals (dogs, cats, birds, or other household pets) can be… verified 2026-06-19 Quarantine · Type quarantine station IV. Pets shall be under 30-day isolation and quarantine in a quarantine station designated by the customs except for the following circumstances where pets are verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesChina Domestic flights: Passengers must present an animal quarantine certificate from a quarantine department at county (or regional) level or above. verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ YesPets shall be under 30-day isolation and quarantine in a quarantine station designated by the customs except for the following circumstances where pets are exempt fro Pets < Pets Definition and regulations 1.Small… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yesthe Quarantine Certificate and the Rabies Immune Certificate issued by P.R.C. Animal and Plant Quarantine Department, exit and entry or transit license, and other certificates regulated by the entry or transit country. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesWhen a packing b Valid quarantine certificate and rabies vaccination certificate issued by an official animal quarantine organ of the exporting country or region shall be presented to the China customs for pet importa… verified 2026-07-28 Other rules Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoInformation Pregnant or lactating pets are not permitted to fly with Air China. verified 2026-07-25 Assistance animals accepted ✓ YesPets shall be under 30-day isolation and quarantine in a quarantine station designated by the customs except for the following circumstances where pets are exempt from isolation and quarantine: (I) Pets arrive from 19… verified 2026-07-20 Service & assistance animals Esa note emotional support dogs no longer accepted ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Service dogs may travel in cabin; emotional support dogs no longer accepted. verified 2026-06-04 Fee waived ✓ YesService dogs (along with their container and food) are transported free of charge and do not count toward any free baggage allowances verified 2026-07-20 Recognized ✓ YesAll small living creatures being transported as checked baggage must be transported in a container that allows oxygen to circulate and reach the creature (not applicable to guide dogs, hearing dogs ). verified 2026-07-20 Cabin allowed ✓ YesService dogs to be brought into the cabin should wear muzzles and draglines before boarding, and stay at the feet or knees of the disabled persons during flight, and may not occupy seats and run in the cabin; 4. verified 2026-07-20 Esa recognized ✗ NoChina Southern Airlines will no longer accept applications for transporting emotional support dogs as service dogs on all routes. verified 2026-07-20 Max pets per passenger 1 Only dogs or cats are allowed for importation (including service dogs for the disabled), and only one pet per passenger is allowed verified 2026-07-20 Advance notice hours 24 hours Passengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight, and an approval from Pets <… verified 2026-07-28 Documentation required ✓ Yesht departure time. 9. Passengers who check in a dog or cat must sign a waiver of liability for the transportation of their animal. Required Documentation 1. China Domestic flights: Passengers must present an animal… verified 2026-07-20 In the cabin ✗ Not accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedNo animal can be brought into the passenger cabin except the guide dogs. verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedAll small living creatures being transported as checked baggage must be transported in a container that allows oxygen to circulate and reach the creature verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesShort-nosed canines and felines as well as aggressive breeds of these animals cannot be carried onto a flight The aggressive dog breeds and breeds of short-nosed felines and canines that are prohibited from using… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds list Persian Himalayan Exotic Shorthair Burmese British Shorthair Short-nosed canines and felines as well as aggressive breeds of these animals cannot be carried onto a flight The aggressive dog breeds and breeds of short-nosed felines and canines that are prohibited from using… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Minimum age 15 weeks equirements It is not wise to fly a puppy or kitten in the cargo hold less than 15 weeks of age; however, the minimum age of transport is 8 weeks of age when flying with Air China. verified 2026-07-22 Hold: Advance booking notice 24 hours Passengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesTer、Staffordshire Terrierr. 4. All small living creatures being transported as checked baggage must be transported in a container that allows oxygen to circulate and reach the creature (not applicable to guide dogs,… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Max pets per passenger 1 only one pet per passenger is allowed verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Advance notice hours 24 hours Passengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoShort-nosed canines and felines as well as aggressive breeds of these animals cannot be carried onto a flight The aggressive dog breeds and breeds of short-nosed felines and canines that are prohibited from using… verified 2026-07-28 Hold: Carrier size 90 × 60 × 66 cm Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as checked baggage, carriers must not exceed 35" x 23" x 25" (90 cm x 60 cm x 66 cm) or be less than 2" x 6" x 8" (5 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm). verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg The cage size used to transport a single small animal must not be larger than 90x60x66cm or smaller than 5x15x20cm. The maximum weight should not exceed 32kg. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier, water bowl Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as checked baggage, carriers must not exceed 35" x 23" x 25" (90 cm x 60 cm x 66 cm) or be less than 2" x 6" x 8" (5 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm). verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yesa) only allow small living creatures to arrive or depart as cargo. Please check this carefully before you depart. Requirement verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list Persian Himalayan Exotic Shorthair Burmese British Shorthair ort-nosed canines and felines as well as aggressive breeds of these animals cannot be carried onto a flight The aggressive dog breeds and breeds of short-nosed felines and canines that are prohibited from using luggage… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks Age requirements It is not wise to fly a puppy or kitten in the cargo hold less than 15 weeks of age; however, the minimum age of transport is 8 weeks of age when flying with Air China. verified 2026-07-22 Cargo: Advance booking notice 48 hours Passengers to consign pet animals need apply to the effect at least 24 hours before departure for domestic flight or 48 hours for international flight, and an approval from CSAIR is required for the consignment. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ Yeser to TIM for national regulations). Note: Some airports (such as Hong Kong，China) only allow small living creatures to arrive or depart as cargo. Please check this carefully before you depart. Requirements for pet… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Nod offensive animals (such as snakes) are not considered to be small animals and cannot be transported as baggage. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Carrier size 90 cm Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as checked baggage, carriers must not exceed 35" x 23" x 25" (90 cm x 60 cm x 66 cm) or be less than 2" x 6" x 8" (5 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm). verified 2026-07-28 Cargo: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg To qualify for transport in the hold, the combined weight of your pet and carrier should not exceed 70 lbs (32 kg). verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling as checked baggage, carriers must not exceed 35" x 23" x 25" (90 cm x 60 cm x 66 cm) or be less than 2" x 6" x 8" (5 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm). verified 2026-07-28 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yeser to TIM for national regulations). Note: Some airports (such as Hong Kong，China) only allow small living creatures to arrive or depart as cargo. Please check this carefully before you depart. Requirements for pet… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate validity 10 days Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms r Related: Acclimating… verified 2026-07-22 Microchip · Required ✓ YesPets must have microchips that meet the international standards of ISO 11784 and 11785 verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesValid quarantine and rabies vaccination certificates required. verified 2026-06-04 Cargo booking for international flights requires application at least 48 hours before departure. Submit your pet consignment request to China Southern no later than 48 hours out. Wait for written approval from the airline before assuming the booking holds. Do not arrive at the airport expecting same-day acceptance. Lock the 48-hour deadline into your calendar and file the paperwork early.
Microchip documentation is required for cargo transport on China Southern. Have the microchip number recorded on every health certificate and import document. Confirm the chip is scannable before the flight. Some airports, such as Hong Kong, accept living animals only as cargo, never as accompanied baggage. Verify your specific route and airport policy before departure so the booking channel matches the airport's rules.
Frequently asked
Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly China Southern? Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the hold. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
China Southern's hold-only rule and 48-hour lead time are manageable once mapped out step by step. Pixel travels calmer when the crate, chip, and paperwork are sorted days ahead, not at the counter. Take the facts above and build your personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder, tuned to your exact route, dog, and dates. The science here is simpler than it sounds when your plan does the remembering for you.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
