Methods and apparatuses for enabling sub-seconds link failure detection in a multi-chassis link aggregation group (MC-LAG) system are described. A first network device of a packet network transmits a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) encapsulated packet over a first link that is part of the MC-LAG, where the MC-LAG couples the first network device with a second network device and a third network device and the second and third network devices are part of an inter-chassis redundancy (ICR) system. The MPLS encapsulated packet includes a generic associated channel header (ACH) and a payload, and where the payload includes a bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) control packet.