Frequently Asked Questions: Importing Domestic Dogs

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Does Canada quarantine imported pet dogs?

Domestic dogs entering Canada do not have to be quarantined.

Do the import requirements apply to all dogs?

Canada's import requirements apply to pet dogs or those described as "personal importations". They apply to pet dogs entering Canada permanently, as well as pet dogs passing through Canada on their way to a final destination.

Different import requirements apply to commercially imported dogs. The commercial categories of dogs are as follows:

• dogs for immediate sale;
• dogs to be used for breeding but not for immediate sale;
• dogs for show and exhibition;
• dogs for use in research;
• dogs destined for animal welfare organizations;
• dogs undergoing special training; and
• Canadian dogs returning to Canada.

For additional information, please refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Assistance dogs are exempt from import requirements, including rabies requirements, when the person assigned to the dog accompanies it to Canada. This includes dogs certified as vision or hearing dogs.

Do all dogs have to be vaccinated against rabies?

Dogs do not require a rabies vaccination or certification if they are less than three (3) months of age at the time they are imported into Canada. You may be asked to show documentation confirming that your dog is less than three (3) months of age.

Dogs three (3) months of age or older arriving from a country officially recognized by Canada as being rabies-free do not have to be vaccinated against rabies, although vaccination is strongly recommended.

• These dogs can enter Canada with a signed veterinary certificate from the country of origin that identifies the dog and states that it has been in that country since birth or for at least six (6) months immediately preceding shipment to Canada.
• The certificate must be accompanied by documentation from a competent government authority*, stating that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the animal's shipment to Canada.

*Note: a "competent government authority" means a veterinary agency or other government agency that manages a country's animal health and welfare situation, as well as handles the responsibility of veterinary certification for international trade. The document can be either:

• a letter issued on the competent government authority's letterhead, which must be dated, stamped, and signed by an official of the competent government authority in the country of origin; or
• a letter written by the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate, which must be endorsed by the competent government authority.

Why does Canada have different requirements for rabies-free countries and non rabies-free countries?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) protects human and animal health by minimizing and managing risks. Dogs coming from a country recognized by Canada as being rabies-free are not considered as a risk for introducing the disease into Canada.

You can protect yourself and your pet, as well as help reduce the spread of rabies by having your pet vaccinated against rabies.

Please refer to the Rabies Fact Sheet for more information.

Why are some countries that are considered rabies-free not recognized by Canada?

Canada officially recognizes a country as rabies-free when the exporting country:

• made an application to Canada to be recognized as such; and
• was assessed to the satisfaction of the CFIA.

Do I have to accompany my dog to Canada?

No, you do not have to accompany your dog to Canada.

Dogs that are eight (8) months of age or older must meet the same import requirements, whether or not they are accompanied by their owners. Please refer to Importing Domestic Dogs for more information.

However, dogs less than eight (8) months of age that are not accompanied by their owners require the following:

• a signed rabies vaccination certificate or a signed veterinary certificate, declaring that the dog is originating from a country recognized by Canada as being rabies-free;
• a signed veterinary certificate of health; and
• an examination within 72 hours of importation.

Does my pet dog need a health certificate?

Only dogs less than eight (8) months of age that are not accompanied by their owners require a signed veterinary certificate of health.

Dogs of any age may require additional documentation when flying. Please check with your airline to determine whether you meet its requirements.

Will I be charged a fee to import my dog?

Inspection fees may apply.

Dogs entering Canada are inspected by the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA). The CBSA agent will require an additional inspection by the CFIA if the dog does not meet the import requirements or if it appears unhealthy or in distress.

For those dogs that do not meet the import requirements relating to rabies certification, owners will be required, at their own expense, to do the following:

• have the animal vaccinated against rabies within a specified period of time; and
• provide the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.

Please refer to Inspection Fees for more information.

Do I need to contact the authorities before my dog's arrival?

No, there is an inspector on duty at all times at points of entry into Canada.

Do I need an import permit for my dog?

All dogs less than eight (8) months of age being imported for commercial purposes require an import permit.

If you frequently import dogs or import several dogs at once, it may be considered as commercial. For additional information, please refer to AIRS.

It is possible to import dogs less than eight (8) months of age on a temporary basis without an import permit if, at the time of importation, proof is provided that:

• the dog is registered in a competition, a show, or a trial organized by a recognized association; and
• any dog three (3) months of age or older at the time of importation into Canada is vaccinated against rabies or accompanied by a signed veterinary certificate, declaring that the dog is originating from a country recognized by Canada as being rabies-free.

If these conditions are not met, an import permit is required.

If I buy a pet dog in a foreign country to bring back to Canada, will I have to pay any taxes or duty?

For more information, please contact the Canada Border Service Agency.

Does my dog require a tattoo or microchip identification?

Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for pet dogs. However, dogs that are being imported for breeding or commercial purposes must have a microchip.

Comments or requests for additional information.