The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced LAR Verify, a new digital portal designed to enhance the welfare and safe transport of live animals by air. This development marks a significant step forward in simplifying compliance with the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), which have guided the global air transport of live animals for over 50 years.
With LAR Verify, airlines, freight forwarders, and shippers gain real-time access to destination- and operator-specific requirements, improving transparency and efficiency in the handling of live animal shipments. The platform supports every stage of the logistics chain—from planning and booking to acceptance and transport—through automated compliance tools.
In 2024, the industry recorded nearly 200,000 live animal shipments worldwide, an 11% increase from 2019, highlighting the growing need for streamlined and reliable handling systems.
“The release of LAR Verify is a key milestone in IATA’s ONE Record initiative,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo. “It serves as a single source of truth for live animal shipments, ensuring they are handled with the highest standards of care and regulatory compliance.”
The portal can be embedded into existing cargo management systems and provides critical information such as:
- Import, export, transit, and transfer requirements per state and operator
- Destination-specific documentation needs, including import permits
- Animal classification, container specifications, and labelling standards
- Real-time updates on regional embargoes and trade restrictions, including disease-related controls
Through API integration, shippers and freight forwarders can upload documentation for airline validation, ensuring compliance before animals are moved—reducing unnecessary risk and improving animal welfare.
SOURCE; IATA . IMAGE©: PEXELS
