Notice to industry: Updates to the import requirements for commercial dogs less than 8 months of age for breeding and resale (which includes adoption) end uses
May 4, 2021
Effective May 15, 2021, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will be implementing new import requirements for commercial dogs under 8 months of age for breeding and resale (which includes adoption) end uses. The changes are designed to improve compliance with the CFIA's humane transport and animal health requirements, making sure that animals imported into Canada, including dogs, are healthy and travel humanely.
While the CFIA prepares to implement these new requirements, no new import permits for breeding and resale (which includes adoption) end uses will be issued for the period of May 4 to 14, 2021. The CFIA will resume issuing import permits on May 15, 2021 under the new measures.
The requirements for importing personal dogs and commercial dogs under other uses will not change.
Effective May 15, 2021, the CFIA will:
- Check Require import permit applications to be submitted using the My CFIA online service
- Check Cease issuing multiple entry import permits and issue only single entry import permits
- importers will be required to specify the number of dogs to be imported and the complete travel route from the country of origin to the final destination in Canada, including the airport or land border crossing that will be used to enter Canada
- Check Require importers to schedule a CFIA inspection at the airport or land border crossing where the animals will enter Canada before the shipment leaves the country of origin
- Check Clarify the current requirement that an official veterinarian of the country of origin must certify that the animals were born in the kennel of origin and that the kennel meets specific animal health criteria
- the requirement for a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kennel License will continue to apply for dogs imported for resale (which includes adoption) from the United States
- Check Require dogs to be vaccinated for rabies at least 28 days before export to Canada (there will be an exception for recognized breeders)
- Check Require dogs to be treated for internal and external parasites prior to export to Canada
- Check Require that importers transporting dogs by air have a post-import quarantine facility that has been pre-approved by the CFIA in case arriving animals require further inspection and/or quarantine
Details about the new import requirements will be available in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) by May 15, 2021.
A "then and now" summary of the import requirements is available.
Import permits issued prior to May 4, 2021
Import permits issued before May 4, 2021 will continue to be valid for the time frame specified on the permit or until August 2, 2021 (whichever comes first).
As of August 3, 2021, all commercial shipments of dogs under 8 months of age for breeding and resale (which includes adoption) end uses will enter Canada under the new requirements.
Applying for import permits to be issued after May 14, 2021
When import permit issuance resumes on May 15, 2021, all applications for an import permit must be submitted through the My CFIA online services portal.
Additional information
To help importers prepare for the changes which will come into effect on May 15, 2021:
- "Then and Now" summary of changes to import requirements
- Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)
- Criteria for Quarantine Facilities for Commercial Dogs less than 8 Months of Age Entering Canada by Air
- Model veterinary certificates of health and model kennel of origin certificates (Choose the options: Dog / Commercial import / Import requirements)
- Notice to industry: New measure prohibiting the entry of commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies
- Contact information for local CFIA animal health offices
- Date modified: