Here's what I wish someone had told me before booking Shanghai Airlines: your dog will not be riding up front with you. Cabin travel isn't accepted, so the crate goes in cargo or the hold instead. Cooper has done this exact kind of trip three times now, and once you know that upfront, the rest of the planning gets so much calmer.
Shanghai Airlines'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 Shanghai Airlines handles your pet 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 acceptedPassengers are not allowed to carry small animals into the passenger cabin: They must be transported in the cargo cabin. verified 2026-07-14 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesDogs or cats with flat noses, aggressive dogs, dogs that are particularly sensitive to high-temperature, high-altitude environments, and other small animals that are not suitable for air transportation ... Including but… verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet carriers with wheels must have the wheels fixed or removed in advance to ensure that the pet carrier does not slide during transportation. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Max pets per passenger 1 Pets that can be brought into the country are limited to dogs or cats (including service dogs accompanying disabled people), with each individual allowed to carry only one pet at a time. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Cold-weather embargo 30°C …temperature at any point along the itinerary on the day of carriage is -12°C (inclusive) or below , or 30°C (inclusive) or above (for domestic departures, based on the forecast for the t verified 2026-07-28 Hold: Heat embargo 30°C If the weather forecast calls for the local temperature to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Min age months 6 months The small animal is less than 6 months old. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Sedation allowed ✗ No(7) The following types of pet carriers are not allowed for small animals to be checked: 1) Pet carriers consisting entirely of welded wire mesh (see Figure-7). verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe small animal is pregnant or due to give birth within 48 hours of the flight. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Carrier size 81 cm …For pets traveling in the hold, medium-sized carriers should not exceed the dimensions of 32" x 21" x 22" (81 cm x 55 cm x 58 cm), and large-sized carriers should not exceed 36" x 60" x 26" (9 the cabin with Shanghai… verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg The total weight for each small animal and its container (including food and water) must not exceed 32 kilograms (kg). verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier …For pets traveling in the hold, medium-sized carriers should not exceed the dimensions of 32" x 21" x 22" (81 cm x 55 cm x 58 cm), and large-sized carriers should not exceed 36" x 60" x 26" (9 the cabin with Shanghai… verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedchecked as baggage, in which case passengers are advised to engage an independent freight transporter. (4) Passengers are not allowed to carry small animals into the passenger cabin: They must be transported in the… verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats, such as American Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro, and Argentine Dogo are not allowed to fly. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet carriers with wheels must have the wheels fixed or removed in advance to ensure that the pet carrier does not slide during transportation. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Heat embargo 30°C …or maximum) at any waypoint during transportation is below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive). (7) The following types of pet carriers are not allowed for small animals to be… verified 2026-07-28 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe small animal is pregnant or due to give birth within 48 hours of the flight. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier Instructions for boarding >>> (1) The total weight for each small animal and its container (including food and water) must not exceed 32 kilograms (kg) verified 2026-07-14 Health & documents Microchip · Required ✓ YesPets must have electronic chips that conform to ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 international standards. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Type quarantine facilities (5) Pets that need to be quarantined must enter through ports with quarantine facilities. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesPets entering the country must quarantine for 30 days in a quarantine site designated by China Customs. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Duration 30 days Pets entering the country must quarantine for 30 days in a quarantine site designated by China Customs. verified 2026-07-14 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ Yesons), have a valid electronic chip and rabies antibody test report issued by an accredited laboratory (antibody titer or immune antibody level must be above 0.5 IU/ml), and pass on-site quarantine. c. (2) When bringing… verified 2026-07-14 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesDocuments to Be Presented at Check-in (Printed Copies Required) For domestic flights: Application Form for Air Transportation of Small Animals (two copies) Original Animal Quarantine Certificate For international and… verified 2026-07-28 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesFor this reason, China Eastern would like to remind you: (1) Pets that can be brought into the country are limited to dogs or cats (including service dogs accompanying disabled people), with each individual allowed to… verified 2026-07-14 Other rules Max weight kg 32 kg The total weight for each small animal and its container (including food and water) must not exceed 32 kilograms (kg). verified 2026-07-14 Minimum age months 6 months 4) The small animal is less than 6 months old. verified 2026-07-14 Dangerous breeds banned ✗ YesIncluding but not limited to: terriers, affenpinschers, boxers, bulldogs, spaniels, mastiffs, pugs, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, Boston terriers, Brussels Griffon dogs, English cocker… verified 2026-07-28 Restricted breeds list American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff Including but not limited to: terriers, affenpinschers, boxers, bulldogs, spaniels, mastiffs, pugs, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, Boston terriers, Brussels Griffon dogs, English cocker… verified 2026-07-14 Breed restrictions apply ✗ YesIncluding but not limited to: terriers, affenpinschers, boxers, bulldogs, spaniels, mastiffs, pugs, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, Boston terriers, Brussels Griffon dogs, English cocker… verified 2026-07-28 Assistance animals accepted ✓ Yesets that can be brought into the country are limited to dogs or cats (including service dogs accompanying disabled people), with each individual allowed to carry only one pet at a time. verified 2026-07-28 Service & assistance animals Recognized ✓ YesFor this reason, China Eastern would like to remind you: (1) Pets that can be brought into the country are limited to dogs or cats (including service dogs accompanying disabled people), with each individual allowed to… verified 2026-07-28 In the cabin ✗ Not accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedPassengers are not allowed to carry small animals into the passenger cabin: They must be transported in the cargo cabin. verified 2026-07-14 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedPets in the Cabin Unfortunately, pets aren't permitted to travel in the cabin with Shanghai Airlines. verified 2026-07-28 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesDogs or cats with flat noses, aggressive dogs, dogs that are particularly sensitive to high-temperature, high-altitude environments, and other small animals that are not suitable for air transportation verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet carriers with wheels must have the wheels fixed or removed in advance to ensure that the pet carrier does not slide during transportation. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Max pets per passenger 1 Pets that can be brought into the country are limited to dogs or cats (including service dogs accompanying disabled people), with each individual allowed to carry only one pet at a time. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Heat embargo 30°C If the weather forecast calls for the local temperature to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Min age months 6 months The small animal is less than 6 months old. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe small animal is pregnant or due to give birth within 48 hours of the flight. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Carrier size 81 cm …For pets traveling in the hold, medium-sized carriers should not exceed the dimensions of 32" x 21" x 22" (81 cm x 55 cm x 58 cm), and large-sized carriers should not exceed 36" x 60" x 26" (9 the cabin with Shanghai… verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg The total weight for each small animal and its container (including food and water) must not exceed 32 kilograms (kg). verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier …For pets traveling in the hold, medium-sized carriers should not exceed the dimensions of 32" x 21" x 22" (81 cm x 55 cm x 58 cm), and large-sized carriers should not exceed 36" x 60" x 26" (9 the cabin with Shanghai… verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedchecked as baggage, in which case passengers are advised to engage an independent freight transporter. (4) Passengers are not allowed to carry small animals into the passenger cabin: They must be transported in the… verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats, such as American Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro, and Argentine Dogo are not allowed to fly. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet carriers with wheels must have the wheels fixed or removed in advance to ensure that the pet carrier does not slide during transportation. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo 30°C …but the passenger considers transportation unsafe due to temperatures of -12°C (inclusive) or below or 30°C (inclusive) or above on the day of carriage, the passenger may request a written statement from airline… verified 2026-07-28 Cargo: Heat embargo 30°C 6) On the day the small animal is actually transported, the temperature (minimum or maximum) at any waypoint during transportation is below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe small animal is pregnant or due to give birth within 48 hours of the flight. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Carrier size 32 × 32 cm Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling in the hold, medium-sized carriers should not exceed the dimensions of 32" x 21" x 22" (81 cm x 55 cm x 58 cm), and large-sized carriers should not exceed 36" x 60" x 26" (91 cm x 60… verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling in the hold, medium-sized carriers should not exceed the dimensions of 32" x 21" x 22" (81 cm x 55 cm x 58 cm), and large-sized carriers should not exceed 36" x 60" x 26" (91 cm x 60… verified 2026-07-14 Health & documents Microchip · Required ✓ YesPets must have electronic chips that conform to ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 international standards. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesPets entering the country must quarantine for 30 days in a quarantine site designated by China Customs. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Duration 30 days Pets entering the country must quarantine for 30 days in a quarantine site designated by China Customs. verified 2026-07-14 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ Yesyou must provide Chinese Customs with a valid quarantine certificate and rabies vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine agency of the exporting country or region. verified 2026-07-14 Other rules Max weight kg 32 kg The total weight for each small animal and its container (including food and water) must not exceed 32 kilograms (kg). verified 2026-07-14 Minimum age months 6 months 4) The small animal is less than 6 months old. verified 2026-07-14 Changes and cancellations to a booked animal service must reach Shanghai Airlines at least 48 hours before the flight. Contact 95530 to adjust the date, switch the flight, or cancel the cargo booking. Make the call the moment travel dates shift. Waiting past the 48-hour cutoff can lock the reservation in place and forfeit the change entirely.
Shanghai Airlines will not carry a dog in cargo when the day's forecast temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius or higher at any point on the route. Check the flight-day weather forecast before departure. Book cooler seasons or early-morning departures for hot-climate routes. A forecast at or above 30 degrees Celsius means the animal stays behind.
Frequently asked
How many pets can I bring on Shanghai Airlines? Shanghai Airlines allows up to 1 in the hold, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier. Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Shanghai Airlines? 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.
You've got this. The Shanghai Airlines path is real cargo territory, and once the microchip, booking window, and temperature limits line up, it stops feeling overwhelming. Cooper taught me that early preparation beats last-minute panic every time. Build your own personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder so every requirement for your actual route and travel dates is mapped out before you book a single ticket.
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.
