Relocating a pet from France to Canada follows a clear path once you understand what Canada asks for. This is one of the more straightforward routes, and roughly 4-8 weeks is usually enough. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from France to Canada
typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
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
Confirm rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Your vet
Verify vaccination dates.
3
Book airline cargo or cabin space
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead.
4
DGAL-authorised French vet issues health certificate in CFIA format
Responsible: DGAL-authorised official vet
Within 10 days of travel.
5
Travel to Canada. CFIA inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline/owner
On travel date.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Canada
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Strongly recommended. ISO 11784/11785.
Rabies vaccination
Required for dogs. Must be valid on arrival.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant personal pets.
Import permit
Not required for personal pets (1-2 dogs).
Health certificate
Required. CFIA-format certificate from DGAL-authorised French vet within 10 days of travel.
Export permit (France)
No formal export permit required for companion pets leaving France.
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.
The EU pet passport is not valid for Canadian entry. A CFIA-format health certificate is required. Your French vet must be authorised by DGAL and must use the CFIA-specified certificate format.
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.
Cabin and Cargo
AIR CANADA
Air Canada
Paris CDG to Canadian cities. Air Canada Cargo for larger pets.
Cabin and Cargo
AIR TRANSAT
Air Transat
Seasonal leisure carrier. Paris to Montreal and Toronto. Check current policies.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Canada
Canada keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
How to keep this move on track
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about France to Canada pet transport
No. Canada does not require routine quarantine for personal pets with correct documentation. Your pet needs a CFIA-format health certificate from a French official vet within 10 days of travel, a valid microchip, and for dogs a current rabies vaccination. CFIA inspects on arrival.
No. The EU pet passport is for movement between EU countries and EEA-listed countries. For entry into Canada, you need a health certificate in the format specified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), issued by a DGAL-authorised official vet within 10 days of travel.
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.
Airline guides
Air France
Air Canada
Air Transat
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.