EVA Air does not allow regular pets in the cabin on any route. Only fully trained service dogs may travel with you in the cabin. All other animals, including dogs, cats, and rabbits, must be transported as checked baggage (AVIH) on eligible international EVA Air or UNI Air flights.
The standard cargo weight ceiling is 32 kg (70.4 lbs) for the base rate of 2 excess baggage units, and up to 45 kg (99 lbs) for the higher rate of 4 excess baggage units.
Last verified: March 2026.
Quick Reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cabin pets | Not permitted except fully trained service dogs (free) |
| Cargo weight limit | 32 kg (70.4 lbs) pet plus crate: 2 excess units; 32 kg to 45 kg (70.4 to 99 lbs): 4 excess units; over 45 kg or crate over 292 cm (115 in) total: not accepted as checked baggage |
| Carrier type | IATA-approved rigid plastic crate only; soft-sided carriers not accepted |
| Carrier size | Custom-fitted to pet: L = nose to tail root plus half elbow height; W = 2x shoulder width; H = standing height; total dimensions must not exceed 292 cm (115 in) combined |
| Booking method | Phone reservation only; call EVA Air at least 48 hours before departure; no online pet portal |
| Cargo fee | 2 excess baggage units (pet plus crate 32 kg or under); 4 units (over 32 kg up to 45 kg); exact unit cost varies by route and fare class; contact EVA Air directly for current pricing |
| Breed bans | Seasonal brachycephalic ban (Apr 1 to Nov 30 Northern Hemisphere; Oct 1 to Mar 31 Southern Hemisphere); year-round ban to/from Southeast Asia; year-round dangerous breed ban |
| Minimum age | 4 months for service dogs; contact EVA Air directly for cargo pet age minimums |
| Routes | EVA Air and UNI Air international flights only; no codeshares; no pets on A321 or B787 long-haul aircraft |
In-Cabin Pet Policy
EVA Air prohibits all regular pets from the cabin on every route it operates. This applies to dogs, cats, rabbits, and all other animals regardless of size or breed. There are no in-cabin weight limits, carrier dimensions, or fees to list for regular pets because cabin travel is not available to them under any circumstances.
Only fully trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs for passengers with disabilities are permitted in the cabin. Service dogs must fit within the handler’s foot space, remain leashed or harnessed at all times, and must not block aisles, exit rows, or walkways. The minimum age for a service dog traveling in cabin is 4 months.
Warning: If you arrive at the gate with a regular pet expecting cabin travel, the agent will deny boarding. You will need to rebook the animal as checked cargo, which may require a new itinerary, additional documentation, and significant additional cost. Call EVA Air reservations before booking your ticket to confirm your only option is cargo.
The content brief for this article referenced in-cabin fees of $100 to $350 USD for regular pets. The official EVA Air pet policy confirms no such option exists. Those figures have been removed. Verify directly with EVA Air at evaair.com before booking.
Cargo and Hold Travel
Pets travel as checked baggage (AVIH) on EVA Air and UNI Air international flights only. Codeshare flights do not accept pets under any circumstances. Certain aircraft types also exclude pets entirely.
Aircraft restrictions: No pet transport is permitted on A321 or B787 long-haul aircraft. Confirm your specific aircraft type with EVA Air reservations before booking.
Capacity limits: A maximum of 2 cages per passenger is allowed, with one animal per cage. The flight-wide maximum is 5 cages total, subject to aircraft and route restrictions.
Compartment conditions: The cargo compartment on eligible aircraft is pressurized and temperature-controlled to the same standard as the passenger cabin. EVA Air does not publish specific minimum or maximum temperature thresholds. Contact EVA Air directly for current temperature embargo policies before booking travel during extreme weather seasons.
Destination bans: No cargo pets are accepted inbound to Brisbane (Australia), the United Kingdom (London Heathrow), or Hong Kong. If your itinerary includes these destinations, your pet cannot travel on that segment.
Transit: Pets transiting through Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) must remain in the cargo hold. Loose animals are not permitted in the terminal under any circumstances.
Tip: If your route includes a codeshare segment at any point, your pet will be refused. Book only on pure EVA Air or UNI Air flight numbers and confirm this with the reservations agent when you call.
Carrier Requirements
EVA Air requires an IATA-approved rigid plastic crate for all cargo pets. Soft-sided carriers, mesh panels, and wheeled crates are not accepted. Wheels must be removed before check-in.
Crate specifications:
| Dimension | How it is measured |
|---|---|
| Length (L) | Nose to tail root, plus half the elbow height |
| Width (W) | Two times the shoulder width |
| Height (H) | Standing height of the animal |
| Combined total | Must not exceed 292 cm (115 in) for checked baggage |
Additional crate requirements:
- Single door only
- Ventilation on at least two sides (multiple sides preferred per IATA standards)
- Leak-proof bottom with absorbent material
- Door secured with zip ties or a net
- Food and water containers attached to the inside of the door
- No mesh panels or soft sections
Weight limits:
| Pet plus crate weight | Excess baggage units charged |
|---|---|
| 32 kg (70.4 lbs) or under | 2 units |
| Over 32 kg up to 45 kg (70.4 to 99 lbs) | 4 units |
| Over 45 kg (99 lbs) or crate over 292 cm (115 in) | Not accepted as checked baggage; contact EVA Air Cargo directly |
Tip: Purchase a crate with removable wheels and remove them before arriving at the airport. Crates with fixed wheels will be rejected at check-in.
How to Book
EVA Air does not offer an online pet booking portal. All pet reservations must be made by phone at least 48 hours before departure. Calling several weeks in advance is strongly recommended to allow time to gather required documentation.
- Call EVA Air reservations for your region. U.S. customers can reach EVA Air at +1-800-695-1188. Confirm this number is current for pet bookings at evaair.com before calling, as regional numbers vary.
- Inform the agent you need to transport a pet as checked baggage (AVIH). Provide the species, breed, weight, and crate dimensions.
- The agent will confirm whether your specific route and aircraft type accept pets. Not all flights are eligible. Confirm the flight number is a pure EVA Air or UNI Air number, not a codeshare.
- Receive a fee quote based on your route and fare class. Note that exact unit costs vary and must be confirmed at this step.
- Gather all required documentation (see Required Documents section below) before your travel date.
- Arrive at the airport check-in counter at least 2 hours before departure for most airports, or 2.5 hours before departure at London Heathrow (LHR).
- Present your pet, crate, and all documentation at the standard check-in counter. There is no separate pet desk.
- Pay the excess baggage fee at the counter. There is no option to prepay online.
- Online check-in is not available for passengers traveling with pets. You must check in at the airport.
Warning: Missing the 48-hour advance notice requirement may result in your pet being refused at check-in. There is no documented last-minute surcharge in the research data, but the airline may decline the booking entirely. Call as early as possible.
Fees Breakdown
EVA Air charges cargo pets as excess baggage units. The cost per unit varies by route and fare class and is not published as a fixed dollar amount on the policy page. The figures below reflect the research data available as of March 2026. Verify current unit pricing directly with EVA Air before booking.
| Travel type | Route | Units charged | Approx. USD (estimated) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checked cargo, pet plus crate 32 kg (70.4 lbs) or under | All eligible international flights | 2 excess baggage units | Approximately USD 200 to 500 per segment (unverified; route and fare dependent) | Pay at check-in counter; no online prepayment |
| Checked cargo, pet plus crate over 32 kg up to 45 kg (70.4 to 99 lbs) | All eligible international flights | 4 excess baggage units | Approximately USD 400 to 1,000 per segment (unverified; route and fare dependent) | Maximum combined crate size 292 cm (115 in) |
| Checked cargo, pet plus crate over 45 kg (99 lbs) | Not accepted as checked baggage | Contact EVA Air Cargo | Contact EVA Air directly for current pricing | May be possible via EVA Air Cargo manifest; unconfirmed |
| Service dog (cabin) | All eligible routes | 0 | Free | Must meet DOT compliance requirements |
For excess baggage unit pricing by route, see: EVA Air Excess Baggage and Optional Fees
Key Takeaway: Cargo fees for a single pet on a transpacific route can reach several hundred to over one thousand USD depending on weight and fare class. Budget for this cost before booking and confirm the exact amount with EVA Air reservations when you call.
Breed Restrictions
EVA Air bans specific breeds from cargo travel on a seasonal basis, a route-specific basis, and year-round. There are no cabin breed restrictions for regular pets because cabin travel is not available to regular pets at all.
Seasonal brachycephalic dog ban
Prohibited from April 1 to November 30 (Northern Hemisphere) and October 1 to March 31 (Southern Hemisphere):
Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all types), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Pug (all types), Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, and any mixed breeds that include these breeds.
Year-round brachycephalic ban (route-specific)
The breeds listed above are prohibited year-round on all flights to or from the following Southeast Asian destinations: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Year-round dangerous breed ban (all cargo routes)
American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, and any cross-breeds of these dogs.
Banned cat breeds (all cargo routes)
Burmese, Himalayan, Persian (including Chinchilla Persian), and Exotic Shorthair.
Warning: Even a small dog or cat of a banned breed will be refused at check-in. Verify your pet’s breed eligibility with EVA Air reservations when you call to book, not on the day of travel.
Required Documents and Health Certificates
All pets traveling as cargo require a complete documentation package presented at check-in. Missing a single document can result in your pet being denied boarding.
Required for all cargo pets:
- Health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian, confirming the animal is fit to travel. Taiwan requires this certificate to be issued within 10 days of departure. Verify the required timeframe for your specific destination with EVA Air and the destination country’s agricultural authority before your appointment.
- Rabies vaccination record, current and valid for the destination country.
- Microchip documentation confirming ISO 11784/11785 compliance. Required for many Asian destinations including Taiwan.
- Passenger’s Declaration for Live Animal (two copies). Download this form from the EVA Air pet policy page at evaair.com before your travel date.
- Destination-specific import permits as required by the destination country. Taiwan requires a rabies antibody titer test and an import permit, both processed at least 30 days in advance of travel. Verify current Taiwan import requirements with the Council of Agriculture or your destination country’s agricultural authority.
For US-departing flights (post-August 2024):
New CDC dog travel rules may require additional forms. Verify current CDC requirements at cdc.gov before travel.
For service dogs:
DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (behavior and training attestation) and, for flights over 8 hours departing the US, a Relief Attestation Form. Download current DOT forms at transportation.gov.
Key Takeaway: Taiwan’s rabies titer test and import permit process takes a minimum of 30 days. If you are flying to Taiwan, begin the documentation process at least 6 to 8 weeks before your departure date to avoid missing deadlines.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are the only animals permitted in the EVA Air cabin. EVA Air follows DOT and ADA definitions: a service animal is a dog individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, including psychiatric service dogs. No other species qualify as service animals under EVA Air’s policy.
Requirements for service dogs:
- Dogs only; no other species accepted
- Minimum age: 4 months
- Must be harnessed or leashed at all times
- Must fit within the handler’s foot space without occupying a seat
- Must not block aisles, exit rows, or walkways
- Must be well-behaved; growling, biting, or urinating in the cabin may result in the dog being reclassified as a regular pet, with cargo fees applied
Required documentation:
- DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (behavior and health attestation)
- Relief Attestation Form for US flights over 8 hours
- Rabies vaccination record
- Health certificate per destination country requirements
- Destination-specific import or export permits as applicable
Booking: Call EVA Air reservations at least 48 hours before departure to notify the airline. There is no fee for a qualified service dog. Download current DOT forms at transportation.gov.
Warning: If your service dog is disruptive during the flight, the crew may reclassify it as a regular pet. At that point, standard cargo fees and documentation requirements apply, and the dog may not be able to continue in the cabin.
Emotional Support Animals
Since January 11, 2021, the DOT rule change (14 CFR Part 382) removed emotional support animals from the category of service animals for air travel purposes. EVA Air complies with this rule and treats all ESAs as regular pets.
ESAs must travel as checked cargo under the same weight limits, crate requirements, breed restrictions, documentation requirements, and fees that apply to all other cargo pets. No special ESA documentation is accepted in place of standard cargo pet requirements.
Taiwan regulations do not recognize ESAs as a separate category from regular pets. This applies regardless of the departure country.
Route-Specific Restrictions
Aircraft types that do not accept cargo pets:
A321 and B787 long-haul aircraft. Confirm your specific aircraft type with EVA Air reservations before purchasing your ticket.
Destination bans (cargo pets not accepted inbound):
Brisbane (Australia), the United Kingdom (London Heathrow), and Hong Kong. If your itinerary ends at or connects through these destinations, your pet cannot travel on that segment.
Southeast Asia year-round brachycephalic ban:
Brachycephalic dog and cat breeds (listed in the Breed Restrictions section above) are prohibited year-round on all flights to or from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Codeshare flights:
Pets are accepted only on pure EVA Air (BR) or UNI Air flight numbers. Any codeshare segment will result in the pet being refused. Confirm your flight numbers are not codeshares when you call to book.
Transit through Taiwan:
Pets transiting through Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) must remain in the cargo hold. Loose animals are not permitted in the terminal.
London Heathrow check-in:
Arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure when checking in at LHR.
EVA Air Cargo partners with Air Canada Cargo for North American pet freight services for shipments that exceed checked baggage limits. Contact EVA Air Cargo directly for manifest freight options on shipments over 45 kg (99 lbs) or crates over 292 cm (115 in).
Your Questions, Answered
Can I bring my pet in the cabin on EVA Air?
No. Regular pets are not permitted in the cabin on any EVA Air route. Only fully trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs for passengers with disabilities may travel in the cabin, at no charge. All other animals must travel as checked cargo on eligible international EVA Air or UNI Air flights. Call EVA Air reservations to confirm your specific route and aircraft type accept cargo pets before booking.
How much does EVA Air charge for cargo pets?
EVA Air charges pets as excess baggage units. A pet plus crate weighing 32 kg (70.4 lbs) or under is charged 2 excess baggage units. A pet plus crate over 32 kg up to 45 kg (70.4 to 99 lbs) is charged 4 units. The cost per unit varies by route and fare class and is not published as a fixed amount. Contact EVA Air directly for current unit pricing on your specific route. For reference, estimated transpacific costs range from approximately USD 200 to 1,000 per segment depending on weight tier, but these figures are unverified and must be confirmed at booking.
What dog breeds does EVA Air restrict from cargo travel?
EVA Air bans brachycephalic dogs seasonally (April 1 to November 30 in the Northern Hemisphere; October 1 to March 31 in the Southern Hemisphere) and year-round on Southeast Asia routes. Banned brachycephalic breeds include: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pug, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff, Pekingese, Presa Canario, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, and mixes. Dangerous breeds banned year-round include: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, and cross-breeds. Banned cat breeds include: Burmese, Himalayan, Persian (including Chinchilla Persian), and Exotic Shorthair.
Does EVA Air accept service dogs?
Yes. Fully trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs travel in the cabin at no charge. The dog must be at least 4 months old, harnessed or leashed, and fit within the handler’s foot space. Required documentation includes the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form, a Relief Attestation Form for US flights over 8 hours, a rabies vaccination record, and any destination-specific import permits. Book by calling EVA Air reservations at least 48 hours before departure. Download current DOT forms at transportation.gov.
Can I fly my ESA on EVA Air?
No. Since the January 11, 2021 DOT rule change (14 CFR Part 382), EVA Air treats emotional support animals as regular pets. ESAs must travel as checked cargo under the same rules, fees, breed restrictions, and documentation requirements as all other cargo pets. No special ESA documentation is accepted. Taiwan regulations do not recognize ESAs as a separate category from regular pets.
This article is for informational purposes only. EVA Air pet policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with EVA Air before booking. Official policy page: evaair.com/en-us/fly-prepare/baggage/travelling-with-pets/. IATA Live Animals Regulations: iata.org. DOT service animal information: transportation.gov.
