Terresterial Animal Health - Imports

Pet Imports

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency 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 the "Be Aware and Declare"! website.

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.

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 Canadian Food Inspection Agency (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).

Additional import information

Programs and services for commercial importers