Import of Personally-Owned Pet Birds from the United States

Also see: Pet Birds from Countries Other than the United States

For import purposes, the expression pet bird means a personally owned and cared for bird, and applies only to species commonly known as caged birds such as psittacines (birds in the parrot family), song birds, toucans, canaries, finches, cardinals, etc. The expression does not apply to pigeons, doves, species of wild or domesticated fowl, or game birds.

It is possible to import personally-owned pet birds under the following conditions:

1. the birds must accompany the owner or be in the possession of an immediate family member;
2. the birds must be found to be healthy when inspected at the port of entry;
3. the owner must sign a declaration stating that the birds have been in his/her possession for the 90 day period preceding the date of importation and have not been in contact with any other birds during that time;
4. the owner must sign a declaration stating that the birds are the owner's personal pets and are not being imported for the purpose of re-sale; and
5. the owner or any member of the family must not have imported birds into Canada under the pet bird provision during the preceding 90 day period.

Note: In the case of the importation of a bird less than three (3) days old, you must declare that you have been in possession of the mother and father for the 90 days preceding the birth of the imported bird and that both the bird's parents have the same health status. If you cannot meet these conditions, the importation of the birds less than three (3) days old is prohibited.

The necessary certification to clear Customs will be made by filling out the form which is available at Customs. Under the above arrangement, no import permit or quarantine period is required. If these conditions cannot be met, it will be necessary for you to obtain an import permit from the CFIA Area Import Office in the province into which you will be entering.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

It is the importer's responsibility to determine whether the species for importation is subject to the controls imposed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which are administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Please contact the Canadian Wildlife Service for information.

Comments or requests for additional information.