Importing terrestrial animals to Canada

Pet imports

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has prepared basic guidelines for importing or travelling with pets.

Travellers are required, by law, to declare all plant, animal, and food items they bring into Canada. For more information visit Travellers: what you can bring into Canada.

Import 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.

• Animal products and by-products
• General
• Live animals
• Semen and embryos

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 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).

Requesting import permits online

If you've determined that you need a permit to import animals, it can be requested through the agency's online service portal, My CFIA. By signing up for a My CFIA account, you can submit a new service request, track the status of your application and pay for the service online.

If you do not have access to My CFIA, a completed application can also be faxed or mailed to CFIA, Centre of Administration.

Advance notice needed for CFIA inspections of live animals at border ports of entry

Some animals, including livestock, require inspection by the CFIA at border ports of entry. In most cases, this inspection must be completed by a CFIA veterinarian at the first point of arrival in Canada. If a CFIA inspection is required, this is indicated in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). It is the importers responsibility to arrange an appointment for an inspection at least 24 hours prior to the expected arrival of the animal at the port of entry. This ensures a veterinarian is available for the inspection and minimizes delays.

For further information, please contact your local CFIA office.

Notices to industry

• Changes to import requirements for live poultry and raw fresh/frozen poultry products and by-products from France, due to vaccination for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
  2023-09-26
• New measure prohibiting the entry of commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies
  2022-07-28
• Changes to import requirements for raw fresh/ frozen poultry products and by-products from the United Kingdom
  2021-08-12
• Changes to import requirements for raw fresh/ frozen poultry products and by-products from the European Union
  2021-06-16
• Updates to the import requirements for commercial dogs less than 8 months of age for breeding and resale (which includes adoption) end uses
  2021-05-04
• Changes to import requirements for raw inedible animal by-products from the European Union
  2020-08-17
• Changes to plant and animal import permit application forms
  2019-11-01
• Changes to the permit to import animals form
  2019-09-04
• New import policy framework for terrestrial animal products and by-products
  2018-07-13

News Release

• Importing dogs to Canada: Government introduces updated import requirements for commercial dogs less than eight months old (for the breeding and resale/adoption end uses)
  2021-05-04

Statement

• CFIA Statement on Dog import from Ukraine incident
  2020-06-23

Additional import information

• Animal health status by country
• Animal health status by disease
• Application for permit to import
• Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)

Programs and services for commercial importers

• National Import Service Centre
• Info kit for brokers (available on request)