Your pet is an important part of your life and family, and if you are moving to Canada, you would want the pet to tag along. Crossing the border with your pet requires completing certain formalities. First and foremost, note that pets are also treated like imports, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) establishes the basic rules and regulations for pets and animal products entering the country. Working with a customs broker, such as Clearit Canadian customs clearance, can help you understand the ground rules better and simplify the process. In this post, we are sharing information about getting your pet into Canada.
The ground rules
‘Can my pet come along with my family to Canada?’
That is often the first question that people want to know about. Yes, you can bring your pet to Canada, as long as the requirements are pet. It depends on the pet you own, because in some cases, an import permit must be obtained in advance. Inspection is requested by CBSA and CFIA in some cases, for which a fee must be paid.
Importing dogs into Canada
As far as domesticated dogs are concerned, quarantine is not required. However, some ground rules do exist. The basic import requirements remain the same, including for dogs that passing through the country to another destination. The import requirements are based on certain factors, such as the dog’s age, overall status of rabies from the origin country, & purpose of import. If your dog is less than 8 months of age, you can import from any country that Canada recognizes as rabies-free. Note that importing dogs into Canada for commercial reasons, such as breeding, may have extra rules that must be followed. For instance, importing a bunch of dogs into Canada at one go may be considered as a commercial import. There are also province-related rules that must be followed, and if your dog is a service dog, hearing or vision dog, even the basic rules may not apply.
Importing cats into Canada
Domestic cats don’t need to be quarantined, and the basic import requirements do not apply for cats that are less than three months of age. Similar rules are applicable as with dogs, like the rabies status of the country of origin as recognized by Canada.
Final word
Consult a customs broker if you want to know the import requirements better or wish to avoid the common mistakes.
