• The IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) are being updated for 2026 to address persistent compliance gaps—especially around CR1 container misuse for wild and exotic species.
• Updates include new guidance on container strength, animal densities, brachycephalic breeds, and seafood transport. Consultant Tristan Bradfield also flagged weak global standards on in-cabin pet travel and outlined future digitalisation efforts.
• The LAR is shifting from a reference manual to a stricter, globally enforced benchmark for live animal logistics.

Airlines and ground handlers can expect stricter requirements and clearer compliance measures as the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) undergo another revision for 2026. With enforcement gaps persisting around CR1 containers and species-specific handling, regulators are sharpening the operational detail.

Misuse of CR1 containers under scrutiny

CR1 containers—commonly used for wild and exotic species—remain the most problematic area of non-compliance. “There has been a misinterpretation of what constitutes CR1 compliance,” said Tristan Bradfield, Consultant Manager at the City of London Animal Reception Centre, during a webinar hosted by ATA.

He pointed to a frequent mismatch between species requirements and the containers being used.

“We often see animals transported in a container that is insufficient for their needs… they are using it for the wrong species.”

To improve clarity, IATA has added new illustrations and symbol guidance to the 52nd edition of the LAR. These updates are designed to show when rigid plastic is acceptable and to clarify species-specific requirements.

What’s changing in the 2026 LAR

Confirmed and proposed updates in the 52nd edition of the LAR include:

• Reinforced guidance for CR1 containers

• Stocking density and ventilation requirements for day-old chicks

• Size specifications for brachycephalic breeds

• New rules for the transport of seafood for human consumption

Bradfield noted that these changes reflect both regulator feedback and practical issues observed at border control. “We want to assist people to do the right thing, and not create confusion,” he said. “It’s about aligning what people think they’re doing with what they’re actually doing.”

Work is also underway to improve digital compliance processes. While live animal shipments are still heavily paper-based, Bradfield confirmed that discussions on the e-air waybill continue. Meanwhile, IATA’s newly formed Live Animals Working Group is tasked with reviewing species lists, terminology, and compliance standards for future editions.

Bradfield, who helped develop the CEIV Live Animals Logistics programme, underlined the collaborative nature of the LAR itself.

“The LAR evolves year by year with the feedback that we get from operators, authorities, and animal care teams, people such as ourselves.”

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