Terresterial Animal Health - Imports

Pet Imports

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has prepared basic guidelines for frequently imported pets.

• Import guidelines

Travellers are required, by law, to declare all plant, animal, and food items they bring into Canada. For more information visit the "Be Aware and Declare"! website.

Policies

The Health of Animals Act and Regulations provide the legislative and regulatory authority for the animal health import program, which includes live animals, animal products and by-products, semen and embryos.

• Import Policies - Animal Products and By-Products
• Import Policies - General
• Import Policies - Live Animals
• Import Policies - Pet Food
• Import Policies - Semen and Embryos

• Application for Permit to Import
• Automated Import Reference System

Import requirements are based on the disease status of where a shipment originated.  The evaluation of a country, or a region(s) or zone(s) within a country is reviewed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on a case-by-case basis.

• Diseases of concern for international trade in animals, animal products and by-products
• Country animal health status as evaluated by Canada

Some animals and products must also meet the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Programs and services for commercial importers

• Import Service Centres
• Info Kit for Brokers
• Pre-Arrival Review System