Lead time needed
5-9 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Medium
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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CA
RS

Pet Transport from Canada to Serbia

Shipping a dog or cat from Canada to Serbia rewards owners who start planning early. Plan on roughly 5-9 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order. This route does not call …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Canada to Serbia typically takes around 5-9 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
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Step by step

The Canada to Serbia import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
4-6 weeks before travel.
Confirm microchip and current rabies vaccination with a licensed Canadian vet.

Responsible: Canadian vet.

2
As early as possible; the certificate cannot be endorsed once the pet has left Canada.
Book a CFIA endorsement appointment for the export certificate.

Responsible: Owner, via CFIA district office.

3
Before booking flights.
Decide cabin (Air Serbia's seasonal Toronto route) versus cargo (Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines) based on size and travel dates.

Responsible: Owner.

4
2-5 business days for CFIA processing, longer in peak season.
Vet completes the export certificate to Serbia's format; CFIA officially endorses it.

Responsible: Canadian vet, endorsed by CFIA.

5
4-6 weeks before travel for cargo; check seasonal availability for Air Serbia's direct route.
Book the flight and travel.

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent.

6
Day of arrival.
Present documents at the Serbian border veterinary check on arrival.

Responsible: Owner, checked by Serbian border veterinary control.

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Serbia

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip required, implanted before or at the same …
Rabies vaccination
Primary or booster rabies vaccination required, with at least 21 days between a …
Rabies titre test
Not required for pets arriving from Canada. Serbia reserves the titre test and …
Quarantine
No quarantine for a compliant pet arriving with a valid certificate and current …
Import permit
No import permit needed for a non-commercial move of a pet travelling with its …
Health certificate
Non-commercial health certificate, in Serbia's own import format, valid for four …
Export permit
No general export permit for a personal pet, but most destinations, Serbia …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Canadian veterinary fees: microchip if not already fitted, …
CFIA export certificate endorsement fee and appointment
Air Serbia cabin pet fee, Toronto to Belgrade direct (May-September …
IATA-compliant travel crate: CAD 150-600
Cargo airline fee via Frankfurt or Istanbul for larger dogs: CAD …
Pet transport agent fee, useful for booking the CFIA appointment or a …

Critical points

CFIA cannot endorse the export certificate once the pet has already left Canada. Book the appointment well ahead of travel rather than assuming it can be arranged at short notice.

Air Serbia's Toronto-Belgrade route only runs twice weekly from late May to late September, and cabin only up to 8kg. Outside that window or over that weight, a Frankfurt or Istanbul cargo routing is the only option.

Confirm Serbia's Annex 2 listing for Canada has not changed before relying on the 21-day pathway. Serbia reviews its own country risk categories independently of CFIA's export rules.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Air Serbia
Runs a new twice-weekly seasonal Toronto-Belgrade (YYZ-BEG) service, launched in May 2026 …
Cabin and Hold
Lufthansa Cargo
Routes a larger dog from a Canadian gateway via Frankfurt (FRA) into Belgrade, booked …
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines Cargo
Alternative via Istanbul (IST), useful year-round rather than only during Air Serbia's …
Cargo Only

Serbia entry requirements at a glance

The path into Serbia is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.

Getting the details right

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

FAQ

Common questions

No. CFIA is explicit that it cannot endorse an export certificate once the animal is no longer in Canada. Book the CFIA appointment well before departure, since processing takes 2 to 5 business days and slots can be limited in peak season.
Yes, from late May to late September, on Air Serbia’s new twice-weekly service, launched in May 2026. It is cabin only, for dogs and cats up to 8kg combined weight with the carrier. Outside that season, or for a larger dog, a Frankfurt or Istanbul cargo routing is needed instead.
No. Serbia’s Veterinary Directorate lists Canada on Annex 2, its non-European low-incidence-of-rabies group, which needs only a 21-day wait after rabies vaccination, not a titre test.
5 to 9 weeks is realistic, allowing time to book the CFIA endorsement appointment, complete the vaccination wait, and arrange the flight, whether that’s Air Serbia’s seasonal Toronto route or a Frankfurt or Istanbul cargo connection.
Airline guides
  • Air Serbia
  • Lufthansa Cargo
  • Turkish Airlines Cargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Serbia.

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CA RSCanada to Serbia
International pet transport route
Lead time5-9 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityMedium
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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