Fly a Chow Chow from France to Malta on Air France
Step-by-step veterinary timeline and airline rules for flying a Chow Chow from France (Controlled/Low-Risk) to Malta under VRD (Veterinary Regulation Directorate). Pre-filled in the calculator below—set your flight date to see your exact paperwork schedule.
Enter Your Trip & Pet Details
Choose your origin, destination, airline, breed, and target flight date to get every vet step in reverse order.
Min: 22d • Ideal: 40d
FEASIBILITY WARNING: Veterinary Timeline Valid (60 Days), But Airline/Breed Restricted
You have sufficient calendar time (60 days vs. 22 days minimum), but Air France restricts Chow Chow (25 kg) on France -> Malta. Switch airlines or entry ports to avoid check-in rejection.
Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breed Alert: Chow Chow
Chow Chow is classified as a Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breed prone to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) under cargo stress and heat. Air France enforces a strict cargo/hold embargo on Chow Chows.
💡 Because Chow Chow exceeds Air France's 8 kg cabin cap, standard airline holds are closed; consider private pet charter or IPATA BOAS-certified ground/sea routing.
At 25 kg, your Chow Chow exceeds Air France's 8 kg cabin limit, and Air France (Air France KLM Martinair Cargo) enforces a strict Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) embargo in all cargo holds due to respiratory risk.
Step-by-Step Vet & Travel Schedule
Counting backward from France (FR) Malta (MT) arrival.
📅 On or before Wed, Dec 9, 2026
Implant or scan-verify a non-encrypted ISO 11784/11785 15-digit. Any rabies vaccination administered BEFORE the microchip implantation date is legally invalid for Malta.
⚠️ Ensure the exact 15-digit barcode sticker is affixed to all vaccination and health certificates.
📅 No later than Thu, Dec 10, 2026
Administer WHO/WOAH-approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (pet must be >= 12 weeks old). Triggers 21-day primary immunity wait required by VRD (Veterinary Regulation Directorate).
⚠️ Record vaccine manufacturer, product name, batch/lot number, administration date, and valid-until date.
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See your exact hour-by-hour tapeworm treatment window, DDPP Official Veterinarian endorsement cutoff, Printable Vet Sign-Off PDF, and Apple/Google .ics Calendar Sync with 48-hour alerts.
- Exact 24–120h tapeworm and parasite treatment times
- Printable Vet Sign-Off & 15-Digit Microchip PDF Packet
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Confirm requirements with a government-accredited vet before travel.
Side-by-Side Route, Customs & Airline Summary
Side-by-side comparison of DDPP Official Veterinarian export steps, VRD (Veterinary Regulation Directorate) import rules, and Air France pet policies.
| Requirement | Origin (France) | Destination (Malta) | Air France & Chow Chow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies Risk Tier | 🇫🇷 France: Controlled/Low-Risk | 🇲🇹 Malta: Step-Free/Rabies-Free | No 90/180-day blood test wait (21-day vaccine wait applies) |
| ISO Microchip Rule | Scanned by DDPP Official Veterinarian vet before rabies shot | ISO 11784/11785 15-digit | 15-digit barcode must match AF booking and health certificate |
| Rabies Blood Test () | Origin tier: Controlled/Low-Risk | Not required for direct low-risk entry | 22 days minimum vet lead time |
| (Tapeworm) Rule | Given and timestamped before departure | Strict 24–120 hours before arrival (Praziquantel) | Vet must record exact date and 24-hour HH:mm time |
| Government Health Certificate | Endorsed by DDPP Official Veterinarian | EU Non-Commercial Pet Health Certificate (within 10 days) | Original signed certificate checked at Air France counter |
| Cabin vs. Cargo & Breed Policy | Book pet space 7+ days ahead | Allows Cabin, Checked Hold (), or Cargo | Snub-nosed breed (Chow Chow): Banned in cargo/hold on Air France |
Arriving in Malta: Customs & Border Check
- Pre-notify Malta VRD via online TRACES/Pet Pre-Notification portal at least 3 working days prior to Malta Luqa (MLA) arrival.
- Dogs require Echinococcus tapeworm treatment strictly 24 to 120 hours before scheduled arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chow Chow (France → Malta)
Can a Chow Chow fly in the cabin on Air France from France to Malta?
Breed Embargoed: Air France Bans Chow Chow in Cargo/Hold. At 25 kg, your Chow Chow exceeds Air France's 8 kg cabin limit, and Air France (Air France KLM Martinair Cargo) enforces a strict Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) embargo in all cargo holds due to respiratory risk.
How many days in advance do I need to prepare my Chow Chow to enter Malta from France?
Entering Malta from France (Controlled/Low-Risk) requires a strict biological minimum of 22 days and a recommended 40-day pre-clearance lead window via VRD (Veterinary Regulation Directorate).
Does Malta require a Rabies Titer Test (FAVN) or 24–120h Tapeworm treatment from France?
No — because France is classified as Controlled/Low-Risk, direct travel to Malta is exempt from the 90/180-day blood titer wait, requiring a 21-day post-microchip rabies immunity wait. Additionally, dogs must receive Praziquantel tapeworm treatment strictly 24 to 120 hours before landing.
When must DDPP Official Veterinarian endorse the health certificate for Malta?
Your accredited veterinarian must issue "EU Non-Commercial Pet Health Certificate" and obtain official government endorsement from DDPP Official Veterinarian within 10 days prior to departure.