Health certification
There are 2 ways to certify horses for export to the United States (U.S.) – as a single animal (HA1964) or as part of a shipment containing more than 1 animal (HA1963).
In both cases, the applicable export health certificate must be issued by the accredited veterinarian who inspected the animal(s).
All the horses must be individually identified, and all requirements as listed on the export certificate must be fully met.
Export certificates must be completed in English.
The export certificate HA1964 Veterinary Health Certificate – Export of Horses to the United States of America
This certificate is used to certify individual animals to the U.S. for temporary or permanent entry.
Note regarding Temporary and Permanent entry to the U.S.
The time frames stated below as they relate to Temporary or Permanent entry in the U.S. (that is, 30 days or less/longer than 30 days) begin immediately after the date of inspection by an accredited veterinarian. They do not refer to the time actually spent by the horse within the U.S.
Horses entering the U.S. for a stay longer than 30 days after the date of inspection by an accredited veterinarian must be declared as permanent entry, even where there is known intention to return to Canada at a later date.
Animals exported for 30 days or less after the date of inspection by an accredited veterinarian may be considered as temporary exportation depending on the purpose of export.
- U.S. Customs have full authority to grant a "Temporary Customs Authorization" to exportations that qualify such as horses exported for racing, show or pleasure purposes
- these horses may enter without U.S. veterinary inspection and the certificate issued is valid for an unlimited number of importations into the U.S. during the 30-day period provided that the equine infectious anemia (EIA) test remains valid
- horses exported to the U.S. for purposes such as a claiming race, breeding or diagnostic testing and treatment may not be granted this temporary authorization, even if entering the U.S. for less than 30 days
- customs could then refer them for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinary inspection as a permanent entry
- exporters should verify with the U.S. Customs that their exportation is eligible for the temporary authorization
The export certificate HA1963 Veterinary Health Certificate – Export of Horses to the United States of America
This certificate is used to certify shipments of more than 1 animal for permanent entry only to the U.S. that meet the following criteria:
- all the animals are consigned by a single consignor and originate from the same premises where they were inspected
- all the animals are being consigned to the same destination premises in the U.S. and will be transported in the same conveyance
- all the horses in the shipment must be individually identified with "visibly numbered" back tags, mane tags, halter tags or necklace-type tags
- this number must be entered in the "Tag No." column on the HA1963 certificate
- the original of the most recent test certificate CFIA/ACIA 3937 – Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Serum Test Report and Certificate or a copy of a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)-approved digital EIA test certificate (colour or black and white), identifying each horse must be attached to the export certificate
- the laboratory reference number in the top right-hand corner of the CFIA/ACIA 3937 or the CFIA-approved digital EIA test certificate must be entered in the "EIA Laboratory Code" column on the HA1963 export certificate
- to reduce the risk of fraud after a completed certificate has left the control of an accredited veterinarian, the accredited veterinarian:
- initials the first page, signs and legibly prints or stamps his or her name at the bottom of last page of the health certificate
- initials below the last entry, and crosses through unused blank lines
- enters the total number of horses travelling under the certificate in the last page of the certificate
- refers to the instructions for foals at foot in the "Certification Procedure" section below
- only 1 truckload of horses may be certified by 1 HA1963 form
The horses must have been in Canada or the U.S. during the 60 days preceding the date of export to the U.S. If this requirement is not met, an import permit may be required. See the applicable section below or contact your district office for further information.
As far as it can be determined, no cases of African horse sickness, dourine, glanders, surra, epizootic lymphangitis, ulcerative lymphangitis, equine piroplasmosis, or Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis have occurred on the premises of origin or on adjoining premises during the 60 days preceding the date of shipment.
The horses have not been in a country that is considered affected with contagious equine metritis (CEM) during the 12 months immediately prior to its exportation, except for those horses that have met Canadian import requirements for CEM for permanent entry.
Some states have additional requirements, such as the need for an import permit or equine infectious anemia (EIA) test certificate. Exporters are responsible for determining whether any of such requirements apply and for complying with them.
Certification procedure
The horses were inspected within 30 days from the date of export and found to be free from evidence of communicable disease and, as far as it can be determined, have not been exposed to any such disease during the 60 days immediately preceding the date of shipment.
The inspection date must be written on the export certificate and must occur on or after the date the EIA blood sample is drawn.
All horses (except foals born after their dam was tested and are accompanying their dam) must test negative to an officially approved test for EIA within the 180 days before entry to the U.S.
- an EIA test result from a U.S. laboratory used to import a horse in Canada meets the requirements of article 5 of the export certificate HA1964, if the test is still valid and the laboratory form contains signatures from a a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited veterinarian and a laboratory technician
- an EIA test certificate (CFIA/ACIA 3937) that has an inaccurate description or diagram of the horse, or a CFIA-approved digital EIA test certificate with digital photographs that do not match with the narrative description or diagram on the export certificate, cannot be used to support certification for export
- an accredited veterinarian is not authorized to modify any information written on an EIA test certificate once test results have been recorded
- in order to certify a horse in this situation, the accredited veterinarian may, at the owner's request, re-sample the horse for testing and wait for the new result before export certification may be completed
- in situations where a horse's appearance has changed since the time that the EIA test certificate was completed (for example, has acquired a significant scar or cryo therapy marks, has been gelded, etc), consult with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) district veterinarian
Horses must not have been vaccinated with a live or attenuated or inactivated vaccine during the 14 days preceding the date of export.
Foals born after the mare has been tested for EIA are exempt from the EIA test requirement, provided that they accompany their dam. To ensure that every animal in the shipment is properly identified, the accredited veterinarian must:
- describe the foal on a separate HA1964 form and indicate that the EIA test date is the same as for the dam; and on the dam's certificate must write "plus foal at foot, born"
- The description should be sufficient to identify the foal
- on the HA1963 multi-horse certificate, describe the foal by linking it to its dam by her visible number and EIA certificate code
- date of birth must be included
How to complete the Canadian health certificates
The accredited veterinarian must use the most recent version of the export certificate.
Animals must be consigned to a single U.S. destination premises and indicate the person who will be responsible for the horse while in the U.S.
The narrative description and diagram indicated on the HA1964 and the description indicated on the HA1963 must match those indicated on the EIA test certificate CFIA/ACIA 3937 Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Serum Test Report and Certificate, or the digital photographs on the CFIA-approved electronic EIA test certificate.
- the animal's marks must be indicated in red on the export certificate and described in the appropriate sections
- The physical description includes marks, scars, brands, tattoos, whorls, cowlicks, etc.
- if available, the microchip number or tattoo should be recorded on the export certificate and EIA test form in the appropriate dedicated section
- the accredited veterinarian must verify the microchip number in situ with a compatible reader
- in the case of a tattoo, the characters must be legible. Any questionable characters should be represented by a "?"
- as noted in module 2.2 and it's associated references, the animal's white markings must be indicated in red on the export certificate and described in the appropriate sections
- red may only be used for white markings
- the physical description must also include marks, scars, brands, tattoos, whorls, etc. on the diagram as well as in the appropriate fields of the Test Report or Certificate
- non-white markings should be indicated in black ink (preferable, but blue ink can be accepted)
- the signing of either the health certificate or CFIA/ACIA 3937 must be completed in blue ink
Note regarding EIA test certificates from U.S. laboratories
An EIA test certificate from a U.S. laboratory may use different terms in the written description portion of the certificate than those that accredited veterinarians are required to use for identification of horses on the HA1964 (see module 2.2 of this manual). If the accredited veterinarian can attest to the identity of the horse, the U.S. EIA certificate may be used to endorse the HA1964. This discrepancy should be highlighted to the CFIA veterinarian before endorsement.
The date on which the horses were inspected must be indicated and this date must be on or after the date the EIA blood sample is drawn. The United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Inspection Services (USDA-APHIS) will not accept an inspection date that is before the EIA blood test date.
The date on which the blood sample for the EIA test was taken and the date on which the laboratory result was obtained must be indicated.
- if the inspection was done at the same time as the EIA blood sample was drawn, then these dates will be the same on the export certificate
- the date beside the accredited veterinarian signature block is the date of inspection, and does not necessarily correspond to the date on which the certificate was signed by the accredited veterinarian
The current export certificate does not show the signature date from the accredited veterinarian. However, the export certificate must not be signed by the accredited veterinarian before negative EIA results are received and the date result indicated.
Note: the accredited veterinarian must pay attention to the date format used when entering various dates on the export and EIA Test certificates. Be sure to use the date format specified by the field in the form (for example, YYYY-MM-DD). If no format is indicated, the best practice would be to indicate the month using letters to avoid any potential uncertainty (for example, Mar 31, 2022)
The HA1964 export certificate may be used more than once if:
- the "Temporary" box is checked off, the exportation meets the "Temporary Customs Authorization", and
- each entry is made within 30 days of the date of inspection and,
- the EIA test is valid prior to entry
Only the first destination needs to be specified on the export certificate.
The exporter/importer retains the original of the certificate and presents it to customs each time the horse crosses the border.
- as customs officers often want to keep a copy of the certificate, it is advisable to make photocopies if the animal will be making several border crossings.
The HA1964 and HA1963 export certificates are valid for entry to the U.S. for 30 days from the inspection date written on the certificate, provided that the EIA test is valid on entry to the U.S. (negative result within the preceding 180 days).
The completed certificate along with either a copy of the EIA test certificate (CFIA/ACIA 3937) or a black and white or colour printed copy of the CFIA-approved digital EIA test certificate will be submitted to a CFIA veterinary inspector to review and, if all requirements are met, the certificate will be endorsed.
The "Reference number" is assigned by the CFIA district office.
Any incomplete export certificates will be returned to the accredited veterinarian for completion.
Note regarding endorsement of export certificates
The USDA have confirmed that they do not require an original signature from the accredited veterinarian on the export certificates HA1963 and HA1964. Therefore, accredited veterinarians may choose to transmit these certificates for endorsement to the CFIA district office according to the regular method described in module 4.1 (personal or sealed envelope delivery), or transmit these export certificates electronically as long as the following conditions are met:
- accredited veterinarians who wish to send export certificates to a district office via email must first inform the district veterinarian of their intention and must provide the email address that will be used
- only email addresses associated with the issuing accredited veterinarian will be accepted
- the health certificate must be scanned in color to allow for white markings (that is, red ink) to be identified
A faxed copy (black & white) is not acceptable.
- certificates received electronically must be printed on legal size paper in color
- before signing these certificates, endorsing CFIA veterinarians will ascertain that they contain a valid issuing signature and that it originated from an approved email address
- the USDA has confirmed that certificates bearing a copy of the accredited veterinarian's signature will be accepted by their port of entry veterinarians
- they must still bear an original stamp and an original signature from the CFIA veterinarian
A fee is charged for CFIA endorsement.
Inspections at U.S. ports of entry
Horses certified on the multi-horse certificate HA1963 and horses certified on HA1964 entering the U.S. for a permanent stay require USDA veterinary inspection upon entry.
Exporters are responsible to verify availability of the USDA port veterinarian and make an appointment if required.
Horses certified with export certificate HA1964 entering the U.S. for a temporary stay (a period of 30 days or less after their inspection by the accredited veterinarian and that are granted Temporary Stay Authorization) are inspected at ports of entry by U.S. Customs officials.
They will not require a USDA veterinary inspection, if they meet the temporary stay authorization
In cases where a USDA veterinary inspection is required, the original of the export certificate will be retained by the veterinary inspector.
Exporters should bring the original or a certified copy of their EIA test certificate (CFIA/ACIA 3937) to the border.
- final CFIA-approved digital EIA test certificates are also recognized as official EIA test results if they are produced using a CFIA-approved digital EIA certification system
- black and white or colour printed copies of the digital EIA test certificate are both acceptable and can be used as proof of a negative EIA test result for export purposes
Effective May 1, 2018, the USDA APHIS requires USDA import permits for shipments of permanent entry horses entering via a land border port between Canada and Alaska.
- there are no designated land border ports on the Canadian/United States border to Alaska, thus import permit is required prior to entry into Alaska in order to facilitate process of inspections
- Canadian horses may enter the U.S. temporarily without a USDA import permit, but must exit the U.S. by the 30th day post inspection as listed on the health certificate (HA1964)
- consult section 5.1 General for permit application
Return/entry to Canada
Horses entering Canada from the U.S. are inspected by Canada Border Services Agency officials as long as their paperwork is in order. Under certain circumstances – such as a disease outbreak in the U.S. – veterinary inspection may be required.
Horses can return to Canada at any port of entry if they do not require a veterinary inspection at the Canadian border.
The CFIA conducts a border inspection in the following situations:
- horses have been imported to the U.S. from a third country and presented for import into Canada less than 60 days after their arrival in the U.S.
- horses entering Canada are in transit to another country
- horses being imported for immediate slaughter
Horses can return to Canada accompanied by the Canadian Zoosanitary Export Certificate (HA1964 or HA1963), provided that they return within 60 days of the date of entry to the U.S.
There must be proof of the date of entry to the U.S. (this may be in the form of a USDA import inspection certificate [Veterinarian Services (VS) Form 17-30] or a customs stamp, or, as a last resort, the date of endorsement of the certificate can be used as the last day in Canada)
The CFIA will accept a photocopy of the CFIA export certificate for the return entry process into Canada.
A valid EIA test result is not required
It is important to note that if horses have visited or transited any States where there are current Canadian import restrictions related to disease (for example, Equine Piroplasmosis in Texas and New Mexico, Vesicular Stomatitis in affected states etc.) will be subject to additional requirements in order to return to Canada.
- it is strongly recommended that horse owners consult with their Accredited Veterinarian, prior to returning to Canada, regarding any such restrictions that may be in place during their travel period for state(s) in which they will have resided or transited
- more detailed information and guidance can be found in the module 14 Notice to Accredited Veterinarians
- disease alerts and associated conditions for re-entry into Canada can change on short notice and Accredited Veterinarians should contact their local CFIA veterinarian for the most up to date information
The requirements for the certification of foals to enter Canada differ from the U.S. requirements. Occasionally, foals under 5 months of age can enter Canada without testing, but will be refused entry when returning to the U.S. because the dam's test was done after the foal was born. The USDA port veterinarian should be consulted.
U.S.-origin horses returning to the U.S.
Horses with a USDA certificate may return to the U.S.:
- without veterinary inspection, if they return to the U.S. within 30 days of the date of issuance indicated on the certificate
- with USDA veterinary inspection, if they return to the U.S. within 90 days of the date of entry to Canada for the purposes of participating in a recognized show in accordance with 5.10 U.S. – Origin Animals Returning from a Recognized Exposition in Canada to the U.S.
- the EIA test must be valid upon entry to the U.S.
Export of horses to the United States of America imported from countries other than the United States of America that have been resident in Canada less than 60days
Horses imported into Canada from countries other than the United States (U.S.) that have been resident in Canada for less than 60 days (excluding any post-import quarantine period) may be exported to the U.S. without an import permit, provided they are accompanied by the following documentation:
- the original health certificate from the country of origin (or a "true copy" endorsed by a CFIA official veterinarian) that accompanied the horse when it was imported into Canada
- an official Canadian health certificate (HA 1964) issued by a CFIA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by CFIA
- this certificate covers the time frame that the horse has resided in Canada
- statement 1 of the certificate should be struck out and initialed
- certification that the horse has tested negative for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), Equine Piroplasmosis (EP), Dourine and Glanders while in Canada and the horse has been released from post-import quarantineFootnote 1
- this certification may be in the form of a supplementary declaration endorsed by an official CFIA veterinarian
- a copy of the declaration can be obtained from your district veterinarian
- for the above listed 4 diseases, the USDA APHIS recognizes laboratory results from an official laboratory in either Canada or the U.S.certification regarding Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)
Permanent and temporary import horses requiring post-import quarantine and testing in Canada
For permanent and temporary import horses which require post-import quarantine and testing for EIA, EP and Glanders (only for horses imported from countries for which post-import testing for Glanders is required), blood samples can be collected by CFIA staff at the same time for both CFIA import requirements and export to the U.S. (for example additional blood samples can also be collected for Dourine and Glanders export testing).
While the blood samples for post-import testing must be submitted by CFIA staff to official CFIA laboratories right away, the additional samples for export must be maintained under CFIA regulatory control until all required CFIA post-import testing has been successfully completed and the animal is released from post-import quarantine.
Once CFIA post-import requirements are met, the additional export blood samples can be released and submitted by the accredited veterinarian to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Ames, U.S. If post-import testing for Glanders is required (for example horses imported from Germany), the negative test results can be used for export to the U.S.
Temporary import horses which do not require post-import testing in Canada
If temporary import horses do not require post-import testing (that is horses from certain countries participating in competition/show/racing), blood samples for export testing for all 4 diseases (EIA, EP, Glanders and Dourine) can be collected by the accredited veterinarian (under CFIA supervision) and submitted by the accredited veterinarian to the NVSL laboratory at any time after arrival in Canada.
It should be noted that the Canadian health certificate (HA 1964) used under these circumstances cannot be used to return to Canada within 60 days as would be the case for Canadian origin horses.
This statement in the "Notes" section of the certificate will be crossed out at the time of CFIA endorsement
Certification regarding Contagious Equine Metritis
All mares and stallions originating from countries affected by Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) that have not completed CEM requirements in Canada must be accompanied by an import permit issued by the USDA APHIS.
- they are required to complete CEM testing upon arrival in the U.S. at a state approved CEM quarantine facility
- state import permits must be obtained from the destination state where CEM quarantine will be completed
If CEM requirements have been met in Canada, then this fact should be certified and endorsed by the CFIA veterinarian on the declaration "for export of horses to the United States imported from third countries that have been resident in Canada for less than 60 days" (available from the local CFIA District Office)
- the CEM test results should either be listed on the declaration or a copy of the laboratory report should accompany the shipment
- if CEM testing was not required prior to release from post-import quarantine, the reason the horse was not required to undergo CEM testing must be indicated on the supplementary declaration document
These requirements do not apply to horses transiting Canada by air that will be quarantined in the U.S. after their arrival.
For more information, please contact your CFIA district veterinarian.
References
Copies of export health certificates HA1963, and HA1964 are available at the CFIA district office.