Moving a dog or cat from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago is very doable with the right preparation. Plan on roughly 10-14 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago
typically takes around 10-14 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Canada to Trinidad and Tobago pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip implanted, then rabies vaccination administered.
Responsible: CFIA-accredited vet in Canada.
Start of planning. Vaccination must follow microchipping.
2
Titre test blood draw at an approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and approved laboratory.
At least 1 month after vaccination; allow 2-4 weeks for the result to reach the Chief Veterinary Officer.
3
Apply for the import permit from the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Responsible: Owner or agent.
At least 1.5 months ahead of the planned travel date.
4
Arrange the Brucella canis test for intact dogs, parasite treatment, and the CFIA-endorsed export health certificate.
Responsible: CFIA-accredited vet.
Parasite treatment within 10 days of travel; certificate within 7 days of travel.
5
Book Air Canada or Caribbean Airlines for the nonstop Toronto to Piarco sector.
Responsible: Owner or agent.
4-8 weeks before travel, earlier during Carnival season when Trinidad-bound seats tighten.
6
Notify the Veterinary Officer at the port of entry and travel.
Responsible: Owner or agent; Veterinary Officer, Piarco.
At least 2 working days before arrival for the notification; travel day for the flight itself.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Trinidad and Tobago
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 or Annex A to ISO 11785 compliant microchip required, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required, administered after microchipping, per the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet.
Rabies titre test
Required. Canada sits in Category 2 on the Chief Veterinary Officer's country list, the same category as the United States and mainland Mexico, so the Category 1 exemption used by rabies-free-listed origins does not apply here. FAVN or RFFIT titre test, blood drawn at least 1 month after vaccination at an approved laboratory, with the result sent directly to the Chief Veterinary Officer. Minimum result: 0.5 IU/mL. Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, country category list, revised 5 January 2023.
Quarantine
None required for a compliant pet, a policy in effect since April 2013. Non-compliant pets face a minimum of 6 months quarantine, extended holding until requirements are met, or re-export or euthanasia at the owner's expense.
Import permit
Required from the Chief Veterinary Officer. The general Category 2 lead time is 1.5 months; apply on that timeline rather than the shorter window sometimes quoted for Category 1 origins, and confirm current processing times directly with APHD before booking flights.
Health certificate
Official certificate dated within 7 days of the travel date. Also required: a negative Brucella canis test for intact dogs, internal and external parasite treatment within 10 days of travel, and a declaration of every country the pet resided in during the 6 months before export.
Export permit (Canada)
No CFIA export permit required for a personal pet export of one or two animals. Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), inspection.canada.ca.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Titre test at an approved Canadian laboratory: CAD 220-400.
CFIA-endorsed export health certificate and vet consultation: CAD 150-350.
APHD import permit fee: nominal, quoted in Trinidad and Tobago dollars, typically under TT$50 (roughly CAD 10) per animal.
Brucella canis test for intact dogs: CAD 70-140.
IATA-compliant travel crate: CAD 120-400.
Cargo or checked-baggage fare, Toronto to Piarco on Air Canada or Caribbean Airlines: CAD 900-1,800 depending on crate size and season.
Agent and handling fees at both ends: CAD 300-600.
Total typical range: CAD 2,000-4,000 over 10-14 weeks.
Critical points to read before you book
Canada's Category 2 status catches some owners off guard, since the CFIA import side for pets coming into Canada is genuinely simple. Trinidad and Tobago's own rules run the other way: a titre test and a formal import permit apply, on the same footing as a pet leaving the United States.
The import permit's stated 1.5-month lead time and the titre test's 1-month post-vaccination rule can run at the same time, but do not assume the lab result will beat the permit application. Start both in parallel rather than in sequence.
Intact dogs need a negative Brucella canis test on top of the titre. It is easy to miss if you are working from a standard pre-travel checklist built for a Category 1 destination.
Both nonstop carriers restrict brachycephalic breeds from the hold. If you own a French Bulldog, Pug or similar flat-faced breed, confirm acceptance with a specialist before assuming this route is available to you.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AIR CANADA
Air Canada
Air Canada flies nonstop between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Piarco (POS) on Boeing 737 equipment, currently around 4 times a week under flight numbers AC984 and AC1460, a sector of roughly 5 hours 45 minutes. Air Canada Cargo carries pets in a heated, pressurised hold, though brachycephalic breeds are restricted from the hold year-round regardless of season.
Cabin and Cargo
CARIBBEAN
Caribbean Airlines
Caribbean Airlines runs the same Toronto to Piarco nonstop sector more often, with roughly 10 to 13 flights a week across both directions combined. Dogs and cats travel as checked baggage in the hold, up to 70 lb (32 kg) combined pet and crate weight, and the airline asks for at least 72 hours' notice before departure.
Cabin and Hold
Trinidad and Tobago entry requirements at a glance
The path into Trinidad and Tobago is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Getting the details right
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions about Canada to Trinidad and Tobago pet transport
Yes. Canada sits in Category 2 on Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief Veterinary Officer country list, the same category as the United States. A FAVN or RFFIT titre test is required, with blood drawn at least 1 month after vaccination and a minimum result of 0.5 IU/mL.
Yes, and on two airlines. Air Canada flies nonstop from Toronto Pearson to Piarco around four times a week. Caribbean Airlines runs the same sector more often, roughly 10 to 13 flights a week combined across both directions.
Not if the paperwork is complete and correct. Trinidad and Tobago has operated without routine quarantine for compliant pets since April 2013. Missing or expired documents, or visible illness, can still mean a hold at a government facility at the owner’s expense.
At least 1.5 months, the standard lead time for Category 2 origins. Start the application alongside the titre test process rather than waiting for the lab result first, since both take weeks to complete.
Airline guides
Air Canada
Caribbean Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Canada to Trinidad and Tobago pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.