Canada

✈️

France

Pet Transport from Canada to France

6-10 weeks

Typical preparation

None

No quarantine required

Moderate

Route complexity

✓ Managed

Full door-to-door service

Regulations verified June 2026

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview

Pet transport from Canada to France is a moderately complex route. The documentation is specific and there are a few stages to work through, but families who plan ahead get their pets there without major issues.

At minimum, your pet needs a microchip (ISO 11784/11785 standard), a current rabies vaccination, a rabies titre test with a waiting period after the result, and a government-endorsed health certificate issued close to your travel date. Allow 6-10 weeks from starting preparation to travel day.

Use the step-by-step timeline below to plan your preparation, and get in touch if you want us to coordinate the process for you.

Step by step

The Canada to France process

Before any vaccinations. Must be done first.

Get your pet microchipped (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

At least 21 days before travel (after microchip)

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (RNATT blood test)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirements)

Obtain health certificate / veterinary clearance

Responsible: Official veterinarian

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space availability.

Book IATA-compliant flight and arrange pet cargo/cabin booking

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation

Responsible: You + airline cargo desk

Checklist

France: entry requirements

Requirement	Detail
Microchip	Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or at same time as rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination	Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Standard EU protocol. 21-day wait from first vaccination.
Rabies titre test	Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries. Not required for: Pets from EU and listed third countries (all P1 countries listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait after blood draw
Quarantine	No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant
Import permit	No formal import permit. EU pet passport or AHC serves as documentation.
Health certificate	Required

Leaving Canada

Export requirements

Requirement	Detail
Export permit	No CFIA export permit required for personal pet exports. Some destination countries may require CFIA endorsement of health certificate.

Costs

What this route typically costs

1	Airline cargo/cabin fees (varies by carrier, pet weight, and crate size)
2	IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
3	Veterinary fees (vaccinations, health certificate, microchip)
4	Government endorsement/USDA endorsement fee (if applicable)
5	Pet transport agent fee (if using a relocation service)

Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face cargo restrictions on most airlines. Check breed-specific policies before booking.

⚠ Microchip MUST be implanted before rabies vaccination. Vaccination given before microchip is invalid and the clock restarts.

Carriers

Airlines on this route

United Airlines

Small pets allowed in cabin

Cabin Only

American Airlines

Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport

Cabin and Cargo

Air Canada

Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Air Canada Cargo handles pet transport in heated/pressurized hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round

Cabin and Cargo

FAQ

Common questions

The process takes 6-10 weeks from start to finish. The rabies titre test requires a 3-6 month waiting period after the blood draw before your pet can travel, so start early.

No routine quarantine for pets entering France with the correct documentation. No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant

No formal import permit. EU pet passport or AHC serves as documentation.

Required Your Canada vet must be approved to issue official veterinary certificates. The certificate must be issued within the timeframe required by France: usually 10 days before travel. Present the original at check-in.

Yes. Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries. Not required for: Pets from EU and listed third countries (all P1 countries listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait after blood draw The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination to be valid. Start this process as early as possible.

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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