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Instructions for completing the animal health certificate for in-transit and commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets to the European Union (EU) and Northern Ireland from Canada

General information

It is important to thoroughly read and follow all the information included in the Notes section of the certificate. The guidance below is for additional information purposes only and does not replace the instructions provided in the certificate.

Part I: Description of consignment

Box I.1 – Consignor/Exporter: This is the person responsible for the animal(s) in Canada. Enter the required information for this person in Canada:

Box I.2 – Certificate reference: Leave this section blank as a certificate reference number will be assigned and entered by the CFIA District Office at the time of endorsement.

Box I.3 – Central Competent Authority: As the CFIA is the competent authority in all cases, this section has been pre-filled.

Box I.4 – Local Competent Authority: Leave this section blank as it will be entered by the CFIA at the time of endorsement.

Box I.5 – Consignee/Importer: This is the person responsible for the animal(s) in the EU. If the animal(s) will be transiting through the EU, this is the person responsible for the animal(s) in the destination country. Enter the required information for this person in either the EU or the destination country:

Box I.6 – Operator responsible for the consignment: This is the person who will be in charge of the animal(s) and make the necessary declarations to the EU authorities, either as the importer or on behalf of the importer, when they are presented at the Border Control Post (BCP). This may be the same person indicated in Box I.5. Enter the required information for this person:

Box I.7 – Country of Origin: As it is Canada in every case, this section has been pre-filled:

Box I.8 – Region of origin: Not applicable – do not complete this box

Box I.9 – Country of destination: Enter the name and ISO code of the EU Member State of destination. If the animal(s) will be transiting through the EU, enter the name and ISO code of the destination country.

Box 1.10 – Region of destination: Not applicable – do not complete this box

Box I.11 – Place of dispatch: This is the place in Canada where the animal(s) is/are regularly kept prior to export. Enter the required information about the Canadian owner/facility:

A Registration/Approval Number is required whenever Article II.2. of Part II of the certificate must be certified for the shipment. When required, either enter the number given by the District Office or leave this space blank for entry by the CFIA. In all other cases, leave the Registration/Approval Number blank.

Box I.12 – Place of destination: This is the place the animal(s) is/are being shipped to. Enter the required information for the final destination place in the EU. If the animal(s) will be transiting through the EU, enter the required information for the final destination place in the destination country. Leave the Registration/Approval Number blank:

Box I.13 – Place of loading: This is the place in Canada where the animal(s) is/are first loaded for export to the EU. In most situations this will be the same place indicated in Box I.11. Enter the required information for the location.

Box I.14 – Date and time of departure: Enter the date and time the animal(s) is/are scheduled to leave Canada.

Box I.15 – Means of transport: Select the means of transport the shipment will be taking to the EU and enter all of the associated details about the transport (for example, flight number, ship name and number, etc.):

Box I.16 – Entry Border Control Post: This is the Border Control Post (BCP) where the animal(s) will enter or transit through the EU. The owner/exporter will need to work with the transporter and/or importer to determine the name and code for the BCP that will be used. Additional information about BCPs can be found on the EU website.

Box I.17 – Accompanying documents: Not applicable – do not complete this box

Box I.18 – Transport conditions: Not applicable – do not complete this box

Box I.19 – Container number/Seal number: It is not mandatory to seal the crates of animals exported to or transiting through the EU. However, if the crate has been sealed the number must be entered here:

If the crate has not been sealed cross out this box.

Box I.20 – Certified as or for: Specify the end use of the animal(s). Select only 1 option.

Box I.21 – For transit: Select this box when the animal(s) is/are transiting through the EU to another country. Enter the name and ISO code of the destination country:

If the animal(s) is/are remaining in the EU, cross out this box.

Box I.22 – For internal market: Select this box when the animal(s) is/are remaining in the EU. If the animal(s) is/are transiting the EU, cross out this box.

Box I.23 – Blank box: Not applicable – do not complete this box

Box I.24 – Total number of packages: Enter the total number of cages in the shipment.

Box I.25 – Total quantity: If the certificate is used to export a single species, enter a single number corresponding to the total number of animals being exported (for example, 1, 2, 3, etc.). If the certificate is used to export more than 1 species, enter the number of animals of each species being exported (for example, 1 dog, 2 cats).

Box I.26 – Total net weight/gross weight (kg): Not applicable – do not complete this box

Box I.27 – Description of consignment: Each animal must be listed individually in this section on a separate line. Cross out any unused space in this box.

Due to the significant amount of information to write in a relatively small space, it is acceptable to provide all the required information as a "sentence" divided by forward slash symbols (/). As an example, a dog could be entered as follows:

01061900/Canis lupus familiaris/Nova Scotia Duck Toller/M/Microchip/123456789101112/25/12/2010/1

Part II – Certification

This section contains all the requirements imposed by the EU for animals to either enter the EU commercially or transit through the EU to another country. Careful attention must be paid to ensure that all the timelines and requirements specific to the purpose of travel are met and appropriately documented on the certificate.

This part of the certificate uses the term "official veterinarian". This wording is imposed by the EU and is based on the EU definition of an "official veterinarian" (which also includes authorised veterinarians) and is different from Canada's definition of "official veterinarian" (which means only a veterinarian employed by the CFIA). The required treatments, vaccinations and examinations for export to the EU will continue to be administered by licensed Canadian veterinarians. The licensed veterinarian will complete the certificate and sign as the "authorised veterinarian". The exporter will then present the certificate to an official CFIA veterinarian for endorsement by the competent authority prior to export.

Article II.1

Requirement: come from a country, territory or zone thereof with code: __ __ – __ which, on the date of issue of this certificate is authorised for the entry into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets and is listed in Part 1 of Annex VIII to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404;

Information: The code for Canada is CA-0.

Article II.2

Note: This Article is only applicable to animals that are being exported to the EU for the purpose of being sold or transferred to another owner, or entering an approved EU confined or quarantine establishment. It is not applicable to animals transiting through the EU, non-commercial movements of more than 5 animals or non-commercial movements of animals that will not be travelling within 5 days of the owner. If this Article is not applicable to the shipment, strike out both options for Article II.2 and go to Article II.3.

Requirement option 1: [II.2. have been dispatched directly from the establishment of origin to the Union without passing through any other establishment];

Instructions option 1: Keep this first option. A Registration/Approval Number must be assigned by the CFIA and recorded in Box I.11 of Part I.

Requirement option 2: [II.2. have undergone one single assembly operation in the country, territory or zone thereof of origin which took place for not more than 6 days in an establishment fulfilling the following requirements:

Information option 2: Strike out this second option. There are currently no approved assembly operations for exporting dogs, cats or ferrets to the EU. If an exporter would like to pursue exporting commercial dogs, cats or ferrets to the EU under this option, they will need to contact the CFIA animal health office in their area for assistance to determine if all the requirements can be met, before starting the export process.

Article II.3

Note: This Article is only applicable to animals that are being exported to the EU for the purpose of being sold or transferred to another owner, or entering an approved EU confined or quarantine establishment. It is not applicable to animals transiting through the EU, non-commercial movements of more than 5 animals or non-commercial movements of animals that will not be travelling within 5 days of the owner. If this Article is not applicable to the shipment, strike it out and go to Article II.4.

Requirement: [have been loaded for dispatch to the Union on ___/___/____(dd/mm/yyyy) in a means of transport which was cleaned and disinfected prior to loading with a disinfectant authorised by the competent authority in the third country or territory and constructed in such a way that:

Information: On the day of export, the licensed veterinarian must perform a visual inspection of the animal(s) in the cage(s) to confirm the requirements have been met, then complete and sign the certificate. The exporter must then immediately present the certificate to CFIA for endorsement before proceeding to the port of exit from Canada. Animals should not be removed from their cage after they have been loaded and certified, except to relieve themselves as necessary and as long as they will not come into contact with other animals. It is the exporter's responsibility to arrange the travel and certification of the shipment to ensure the timing requirements can be met and that CFIA will be available during regular business hours for endorsement.

Article II.4

Requirement: have been subjected with negative result to a clinical inspection, carried out by an official veterinarian in the third country, territory or zone thereof of origin within 48 hour period prior to loading for dispatch to the Union for the detection of signs indicative of the occurrence of diseases, including the relevant listed diseases referred to in Annex 1 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 and emerging diseases.

Information: The clinical inspection is to be completed by the licensed veterinarian. Consult Annex 1 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 for the most current list of diseases.

Loading for dispatch is defined as when the animal(s) is/are first loaded to leave the place of dispatch and be exported to the EU.

Article II.5

Requirement option 1: [II.5. are destined for direct entry into the Member State of destination to be isolated in:

either
[a confined establishment;]]
or
[an approved quarantine establishment;]]

Information option 1: This option is applicable if the animal(s) in the shipment are destined for either a confined establishment (for example, a laboratory/research facility) or a quarantine establishment, as defined and approved by the EU.

If this option is applicable to the shipment, indicate the facility the shipment is destined for by striking out the other facility type and strike out option 2. If this option is not applicable to the shipment, strike it out.

Requirement option 2: [II.5. were at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination against rabies and at least 21 days have elapsed since the completion of the primary anti-rabies vaccination carried out in accordance with the validity requirements set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and any subsequent revaccination was carried out within the period of validity of the preceding vaccination, and

either
[they come from, and in the case of transit are scheduled to transit through, a territory or third country listed in Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 and details of the current anti-rabies vaccination are provided in columns 1 to 7 in the table below;]]
or

[they come from or are scheduled to transit through a territory or third country not listed in Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, and

  • details of the current anti-rabies vaccination are provided in columns 1 to 7 in the table below, and
  • a rabies antibody titration test, carried out on a blood sample taken by the veterinarian authorised by the competent authority not less than 30 days after the preceding vaccination and at least three months prior to the date of issue of this certificate, proved an antibody titre equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml and any subsequent revaccination was carried out within the period of validity of the preceding vaccination, and the date of sampling for testing the immune response are provided in column 8 in the table below:]]

Information option 2: This option will apply to most exports. If this option is applicable to the shipment, strike out option 1 and indicate the routing the shipment will take from Canada to the EU by striking out the non-applicable routing sub-option.

Annex II to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 577/2013 lists Canada so it is expected that the first sub-option will apply to most shipments as the majority of movements are direct to the EU, without travelling through other countries. It should be noted that the United States (US) is also listed in Annex II so the first sub-option will also apply when the shipment will transit through the US on the way to the EU.

The EU does not have a residency requirement for dogs, cats or ferrets so the first sub-option also applies to animals that were legally imported into Canada from a country not listed in Annex II, irrelevant to the length of stay in Canada, provided that the certificate can be adequately completed. However, if the animal(s) have been imported from a country not listed in Annex II and will only stay in Canada for a short period of time before being re-exported to the EU, meaning they will be travelling with documentation from both Canada and a country not listed in Annex II, it is recommended to contact the EU authorities at the intended BCP to confirm the shipment will be accepted and whether or not additional requirements will apply.

The second sub-option will apply if the shipment will transit through a country not appearing in Annex II before arriving in the EU.

The EU's requirements regarding administration and timing of the rabies vaccination are very specific and must be met for the vaccination to be considered valid in order for the animal to be eligible for export.

Completion of the table:

Transponder – Alphanumeric code of the animal: Enter the microchip (transponder) number of the animal. The number must match the number recorded in Box I.27 of Part I.

Transponder – Date of implantation and/or reading [dd/mm/yyyy]: Enter the date the microchip (transponder) was implanted or read. This date must predate all other procedures listed in the certificate for them to be considered valid. The rabies vaccination(s), titre test (if applicable) and parasite treatment must all be done on or after the date the microchip (transponder) was implanted into the animal or read by the licensed veterinarian. The EU does not consider any procedure that was done before the implantation of a microchip (transponder) to be valid. In cases where the date of implantation is not known, a reading by the licensed veterinarian before any other procedures are completed will qualify.

Date of vaccination [dd/mm/yyyy]: Enter the date the rabies vaccination was administered.

Name and manufacturer of vaccine: Enter the trade name and manufacturer of the rabies vaccine that was administered.

Batch number: Enter the batch/lot/serial number of the rabies vaccine vial that was administered.

Validity of vaccination – From [dd/mm/yyyy]/To [dd/mm/yyyy]: If the rabies vaccination is a primary vaccination (for example, the very first vaccination in the life of the animal, the first vaccination after the implantation of the microchip, or a re-vaccination that was given after the manufacturer's specified validity period of the previous rabies vaccination expired), the "From" date is the date protective immunity is established (in other words, the time needed by the immune system to adequately develop defense against the rabies virus), which cannot be less than 21 days after vaccination. If the rabies vaccination is a booster vaccination, and was administered before the end of the manufacture's specified validity period of the previous vaccination, the "From" date is the date of the booster vaccination was administered. The "To" date is the date the rabies vaccination will expire (in other words, no longer be valid), based on the manufacturer's recommendation, and a booster vaccination will be due. It is not the expiry date of the vial of vaccine.

Date of blood sampling [dd/mm/yyyy]: A date is only entered if the second sub-option of Article II.5 was chosen, otherwise it should be struck out.

Article II.6

Note: This Article is only applicable to dogs. If the certificate is issued for only cats and/or ferrets, this entire Article can be struck out.

Requirement option 1: [II.6. the consignment includes dogs destined for a Member State listed in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/878 and those dogs have been treated against Echinococcus multilocularis, and the details of the treatment carried out by the administering veterinarian in accordance with point 2 of Annex XXI to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 are provided in the table below

Information option 1: This option is applicable if the dog(s) in the shipment are destined for Malta, Finland, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. If this option is applicable to the shipment, strike out option 2 and option 3. If this option is not applicable to the shipment, strike it out but do not strike out the table as the certificate can be used for further movement within the EU, which may require an EU veterinarian to administer and record anti-parasitic treatments.

The treatment must be administered by a licensed veterinarian within a period of not more than 48 hours and ending not less than 24 hours before the time of the scheduled entry of the dog(s) into the EU Member State. The product used must be a veterinary product that is approved/licensed in Canada, and must contain the appropriate dose of either praziquantel or an equivalent drug that bears a label claim against Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) in dogs. It is the exporter's responsibility to arrange the travel and certification of the shipment to ensure the timing requirements can be met and that CFIA will be available during regular business hours for endorsement.

Completion of the table:

Transponder – Alphanumeric code of the dog: Enter the microchip (transponder) number of the animal. The number must match the number recorded in Box I.27 of Part I.

Anti-Echinococcus treatment – Name and manufacturer of the product: Enter the trade name and manufacturer of the anti-echinococcus product that was administered.

Anti-Echinococcus treatment – Date [dd/mm/yyyy] and time [00:00] of treatment: Enter the date and time the anti-echinococcus treatment was administered. As the required timing of treatment is precise (24 to 48 hours before the time of scheduled entry into the EU Member State), it is mandatory to indicate the time. To avoid confusion use the 24 hour clock.

Administering veterinarian – Name in capitals, stamp and signature: The treatment must be administered by a licensed veterinarian or in the presence of a licensed veterinarian to be considered valid. It cannot be prescribed by a veterinarian and administered by the owner at home. A stamp is not required but a clinic stamp can be used if available. Enter the name, clinic stamp (if available), and signature of the administering licensed veterinarian.

Requirement option 2: [II.6 the dogs have not been treated against infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis.]

Information option 2: This option is applicable if the dog(s) in the shipment are destined for a Member State other than Malta, Finland, Ireland or Northern Ireland. If this option is applicable to the shipment, strike out option 1 (excluding the table) and option 3. If this option is not applicable to the shipment, strike it out.

Requirement option 3: [II.6 the dogs are destined for direct entry into the Member State of destination to be isolated in:

either
[a confined establishment.]]
or
[an approved quarantine establishment.]]

Information option 3: This option is applicable if the dog(s) in the shipment are destined for either a confined establishment (for example, a laboratory/research facility) or a quarantine establishment, as defined and approved by the EU.

If this option is applicable to the shipment, indicate the facility the shipment is destined for by striking out the other facility type and strike out option 1 (excluding the table) and option 2. If this option is not applicable to the shipment, strike it out.

Notes

The certificate contains a significant number of self-explanatory notes and instructions. It is important to thoroughly read and follow all the information included in the Notes section of the certificate, including references to the EU regulations.

Signature blocks

The certificate requires 2 different signatures before it is considered complete and valid.

  1. Official veterinarian/Authorised veterinarian: In Canada, for dogs, cats and ferrets being exported to the EU, a licensed veterinarian is considered an authorised veterinarian and completes this first signature block. The signing licensed (authorised) veterinarian is attesting to the fact that the animal(s) meet all the EU's requirements as specified in the certificate. The signing licensed (authorised) veterinarian must enter their information as outlined and sign the certificate in blue ink:
    • Name (in capital letters)
    • Qualification and title
    • Date
    • Signature
    • Stamp
  2. Endorsement by the competent authority: This means a veterinarian employed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). It is essential to obtain this signature before the animal(s) leave Canada as the CFIA cannot endorse or issue a certificate if the animal(s) are no longer in Canada. Please contact the CFIA animal health office in your area to schedule an appointment for endorsement. This signature is the very last entry on the certificate before the animal(s) depart from Canada. No modification to the certificate is allowed after CFIA endorsement. Each page of the certificate will also be stamped and signed at the time of endorsement.
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