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Shipping a pet costs anywhere from $100 for a small dog or cat in the cabin to $4,000 to $6,000 or more for a full-service international move. The biggest factors are your pet’s size, whether it travels with you, the distance, and the destination’s paperwork rules. Here is what each option costs, with the figures sourced.
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Pet shipping costs at a glance
| How your pet travels | Typical cost | Where the figure comes from |
|---|---|---|
| In the cabin with you (small pets) | $100 to $150 each way | Airline published fees: Alaska $100, Southwest $125, Delta, United and American $150 |
| In the hold on your flight | $200 each way | Alaska Airlines published fee, pet plus kennel up to 150 lb |
| Airline cargo, domestic | $300 to $1,200+ one way | Industry estimate; priced by weight and route |
| Ground transport, cross-country | $200 to $500 (marketplace) or $600 to $1,200 (traditional company) | CitizenShipper price guide, 2026 |
| Pet transport company, domestic by air | From about $1,500 | Starwood Pet Travel |
| Pet relocation company, international | $4,000 to $6,000+ for one pet; $6,000 to $9,000+ for several; $10,000+ for strict destinations or large breeds | Starwood Pet Travel quote data, May 2026 |
Work out your own total, including the crate and vet paperwork, with the calculator:
What affects the cost of shipping a pet
- Size and weight. Cargo is priced on the weight of the pet plus its kennel, so a large dog in a giant crate costs far more than a small one. Small pets in the cabin pay a flat fee.
- Whether you travel together. Flying your pet in the cabin or the hold on your own flight is far cheaper than shipping it alone.
- Destination rules. Countries and states with strict rabies rules, such as Hawaii, Australia and the UK, add blood tests, longer preparation and import fees.
- Season. Summer heat closes hold and cargo travel on many routes, which can mean longer routings or ground transport.
- Number of pets. Each pet usually needs its own crate, fees and paperwork.
- Services. Door-to-door pickup, boarding, customs clearance and paperwork handling all add to a relocation company’s quote.
Extra costs to budget for
- A carrier or crate: about $40 to $100 for a soft cabin carrier, and $50 to $200 or more for an airline-compliant hard crate.
- Vet exam and health certificate: roughly $155 to $350 for domestic travel, and $300 to $600 for international vet visits.
- USDA APHIS endorsement for international trips: $101 to $275. See our pet health certificate guide.
- Rabies blood test for some destinations: about $200 to $400.
- Hawaii: $185 for direct airport release with documents on time, and more if your pet goes to quarantine.
The cheapest way to ship a dog
- Fly it in the cabin if it fits under the seat. At $100 to $150, it is the cheapest air option. Check with the cabin or cargo checker.
- Fly it in the hold on your own Alaska Airlines flight for $200 if it is too big for the cabin.
- Use a ground transport marketplace for moves within the mainland US, where drivers bid on your route.
- Compare several quotes for cargo and relocation services. Prices vary widely for the same route.
- Avoid the hottest months and book early, when routes are simpler and more options are open.
How much does it cost to ship a cat?
Most cats fit in a cabin carrier, so shipping a cat is usually the airline’s cabin pet fee of $100 to $150 each way plus a carrier. Shipping a cat alone as cargo or with a relocation company costs about the same as a small dog.
Can I ship a dog with FedEx?
No. FedEx doesn’t ship dogs or cats for the public. Use airline cargo, a ground transporter or a pet relocation company instead. Compare the airline options in our pet-friendly airlines comparison.
Pet shipping cost FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a dog across the country?
About $200 to $1,200 by ground, $300 to $1,200 or more as airline cargo, or from about $1,500 with a full-service pet transport company. Flying with your dog in the cabin costs $100 to $150 each way if it fits.
How much does it cost to ship a puppy?
A puppy small enough for the cabin costs the airline’s pet fee, $100 to $150 each way. Puppies must be at least 8 weeks old on most US airlines, and dogs entering the US must be at least 6 months old.
How much does pet relocation cost internationally?
About $4,000 to $6,000 or more for one pet with a relocation company, according to Starwood Pet Travel’s 2026 quote data, and $10,000 or more for strict destinations such as Australia, for large breeds or for several pets.
Sources: Starwood Pet Travel: The true cost of international pet travel (May 2026) · Starwood Pet Travel: How much does pet transport cost? · CitizenShipper: Dog transportation cost (2026) · USDA APHIS: Endorsement fees · Paws Abroad: Health certificate costs (2026) · Hawaii Department of Agriculture · CitizenShipper: FedEx pet shipping. Airline fees from each airline’s pet policy; see our airline pages. Last checked October 23, 2026.
