FR
France
✈️
CA
Canada
Pet Transport France to Canada: 2026 Guide
See key factsQuarantine on arrival
Low-Medium routeExpert coordination essential
4-8 weeksPreparation lead time
Fully managedDoor to door service available
Official rules on this page checked
Step by step
The France to Canada pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip is ISO standard
Responsible: Your vet
Verify now.2
Book airline cargo or cabin space
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead.3
Travel to Canada. CFIA inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline/owner
On travel date.Which Canada rules depend on a pet coming from France?
Canada sets different rules for 3 groups of countries, and the official wording does not settle on its own which group covers France. Check the group table in our Canada guide before you plan.
These rules apply to pets from France, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Rabies vaccination: An EU pet passport is accepted in place of the rabies vaccination certificate if it contains all the required details. Applies to dogs and cats with an EU pet passport.
Pet import tool content (results behind Bringing animals to Canada: importing and travelling with pets), checked 2 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Canada, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Canada guide.
What does France require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: For travel to a non-EU country, where the destination country's health rules cannot be found, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (updated 27 July 2026) gives default conditions: an international health certificate drawn up by the owner's own vet holding the 'mandat sanitaire' in the week before leaving France. Otherwise the destination's own rules set the timing and content. Applies to dogs and cats leaving France for non-EU countries.
Animaux domestiques (mis à jour le 27 juillet 2026), checked 1 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Under the same default conditions, the owner must then book an appointment with the 'Santé et protection animales' service of the Ministry of Agriculture veterinary services covering that vet, which validates the documents the vet has drawn up. Applies to dogs and cats leaving France for non-EU countries.
Animaux domestiques (mis à jour le 27 juillet 2026), checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Owners of Category 1 or Category 2 dogs must check in advance whether the dog can travel with them and be admitted by the destination country. Applies to Category 1 and 2 dogs leaving France.
Voyager à l'étranger avec son animal de compagnie, checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: For travel from France to a country outside the EU, service-public.gouv.fr (checked 28 April 2026) lists the conditions for the dog, cat or ferret: microchip identification (or a tattoo made before 3 July 2011 that is still legible), a European pet passport issued by a vet, and rabies vaccination. Applies to dogs, cats and ferrets leaving France for a non-EU country.
Voyager à l'étranger avec son animal de compagnie, checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Rabies vaccination is possible from 12 weeks of age and takes effect at least 21 days later (service-public.gouv.fr, conditions for travel outside the EU). Applies to dogs, cats and ferrets leaving France for a non-EU country.
Voyager à l'étranger avec son animal de compagnie, checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Some destination countries require the documents validated by the Ministry of Agriculture veterinary services to be legalised or apostilled afterwards; the apostille is obtained from the courts of appeal (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, updated 27 July 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving France for a non-EU country.
Animaux domestiques (mis à jour le 27 juillet 2026), checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Allow at least ten days for the export formalities, or several months for destinations that require quarantine (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, updated 27 July 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving France for a non-EU country.
Animaux domestiques (mis à jour le 27 juillet 2026), checked 1 October 2026
Costs
What this route typically costs
Health certificate from French official vet: approximately EUR 100-280 (GBP 85-240)
Airline cargo Paris CDG to Canada: EUR 400-1,200 depending on carrier and crate size
Travel crate (IATA-compliant): EUR 60-220
Total typical range: EUR 600 to EUR 1,800
Critical points to read before you book
France has its own breed-specific legislation (Category 1 and Category 2 dogs under French law). Category 1 dogs (Pit Bull types) cannot be imported back into France. For export to Canada, Canada has no national breed ban, but confirm the rules for your specific Canadian province.
Paris CDG is the primary departure hub. France also has Lyon-Saint Exupery and other international airports, but the majority of transatlantic pet cargo moves via CDG.
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 FRANCE
Air France
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Montreal (YUL), Toronto (YYZ), and Vancouver (YVR). Small pets in cabin on some transatlantic routes. Air France Cargo for larger animals. Strong option for this corridor.
AIR CANADA
Air Canada
Paris CDG to Canadian cities. Air Canada Cargo for larger pets.
AIR TRANSAT
Air Transat
Seasonal leisure carrier. Paris to Montreal and Toronto. Check current policies.
FAQ
Common questions about France to Canada pet transport
Yes, you can move to Canada with a Category 1 breed from France, provided Canada’s national or provincial rules permit the breed. France bans Category 1 dogs (including Pit Bull types), but Canada has no federal ban. Check provincial rules for your destination: Ontario, for example, has its own pit bull legislation. The dog will not be able to return to France.
Air France Cargo offers direct Paris CDG to Montreal service with a well-established cargo pet programme. This is generally the simplest option for the France-to-Montreal corridor. Air Canada also flies the route and handles pet cargo. For other Canadian cities (Toronto, Vancouver), both carriers operate services from CDG.
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Route at a glance
FromFrance
ToCanada
Prep time4-8 weeks
ComplexityLow-Medium
Country and airline guides
Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.