Pet Transport from India to Canada

Canada is one of the more accessible destinations for pets relocating from India, compared to the UK's unlisted-country requirements or Australia's complete ban on direct Indian imports. The Canadian …

Get your free quote

6-12

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Days quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The India to Canada import process

First step. Required by most airlines for cargo. Recommended before vaccinations.

Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Responsible: Your veterinarian in India

After microchipping. Check that the vaccination will still be within its validity period on arrival in Canada. If the last vaccination is more than 3 years old, re-vaccinate.

Rabies vaccination (for dogs)

Responsible: Your veterinarian in India

4-6 weeks before planned travel. Apply to the relevant AQCS regional office.

Apply for AQCS No-Objection Certificate (NOC)

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent

Approximately 7 days before departure.

First clinical examination and health certificate preparation

Responsible: AQCS-registered official veterinarian

Within 2 days of departure. Certificate valid 14 days from issue.

Second clinical examination, health certificate completion and AQCS endorsement

Responsible: Official veterinarian and AQCS

4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance and crate size requirements.

Book cargo or cabin space with airline

Responsible: You or your pet transport agent

Arrive 3-4 hours before departure for cargo check-in; 2 hours for cabin.

Travel day: present all documents at check-in or cargo desk

Responsible: You and airline desk

Requirements

Canada entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 microchip strongly recommended. Not federally mandated by CFIA for entry, but required by most airlines for cargo transport.

Rabies vaccination

Required for dogs from India. Proof of valid rabies vaccination must accompany the dog. If the most recent vaccination is more than 3 years old, re-vaccination is required before travel. Source: CFIA, inspection.gc.ca

Rabies titre test

Not required by CFIA for personal pet imports from India.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for personal pet dogs and cats arriving with correct documentation. Pets that appear unhealthy or lack documentation may be detained at the border at owner's expense.

Import permit

Not required for personal pet imports (1-2 animals for personal use). Commercial imports (for sale, breeding, adoption, or 3 or more dogs) require a CFIA import permit.

Health certificate

Required. Official health certificate from a registered Indian vet, endorsed by AQCS. Must confirm: microchip number, rabies vaccination details (date, vaccine, batch number), pet is free from infectious disease, fit to travel. Cats: health certificate required; no rabies vaccination requirement for Canada. Source: CFIA, inspection.gc.ca

Leaving India

Export requirements

Export permit

No-Objection Certificate (NOC) required from AQCS before travel. Apply to the AQCS regional office nearest your departure city. Allow 4-6 weeks. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in

Health certificate

Required. Health certificate from a registered Indian vet, endorsed by AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services, aqcsindia.gov.in). Two clinical examinations required: first approximately 7 days before travel, second within 2 days of departure. Certificate valid 14 days from issue date. Format must meet CFIA requirements.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo fees (India to Canada): typically CAD 700-1,600 depending on pet size, crate dimensions, and route

IATA-compliant travel crate: CAD 100-350 depending on size

Veterinary fees in India: microchip, vaccinations, clinical exams, health certificate preparation

AQCS NOC application and health certificate endorsement fees

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for this route): CAD 400-700

Potential CBSA inspection fee at Canadian border if documentation is queried

Pet registration and licence fees in Canadian province of arrival

Critical points

The AQCS NOC is required for all pet exports from India. Without it, the health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and airlines will not accept the pet.

Rabies vaccination for dogs must be valid on arrival in Canada. If the most recent vaccination is more than 3 years old, re-vaccination is required before travel. Source: CFIA, inspection.gc.ca

Canada suspended commercial dog imports from high-risk rabies countries in 2022. Personal pet imports with correct documentation are not affected, but verify current CFIA guidance at inspection.gc.ca before travel.

All documentation should be in order before arrival at the Canadian border. CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) inspects pets on arrival. Incomplete paperwork can result in detention or return.

Cats have no rabies vaccination requirement for Canada, but still need a health certificate for airline cargo and CFIA border inspection.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Air Canada	Small pets (up to 10kg including carrier) in cabin on some international routes. Larger pets as cargo via Air Canada Cargo in heated/pressurised hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round. Operates India routes via connections.	Cabin and Cargo
Air India	International cargo from Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and other major Indian airports. Canada routes typically via Air India's North America services or connections. Pets in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. No cabin pets on international routes.	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Cargo from Indian cities via Frankfurt (FRA) hub to Canadian gateways. Pets in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round. Good option for Toronto (YYZ) or Vancouver (YVR) routing.	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo via London Heathrow (LHR) hub. IAG Cargo handles live animal transport from India to Canada. Connecting route adds transit time but provides coverage for multiple Canadian cities. No cabin pets on any BA route.	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo via Dubai (DXB) hub from Indian airports to Canadian gateways. Emirates SkyCargo handles pets in temperature-controlled hold. Temperature restrictions apply in Gulf summer. Connecting option.	Cargo Only

CFIA requirements: what Canada needs from Indian pets

CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) manages all live animal imports to Canada. For personal pet dogs from India, the requirements are: a valid rabies vaccination (the vaccination must not have lapsed; if the most recent rabies vaccine is more than 3 years old, re-vaccination is required before travel), and an official health certificate from a registered vet, endorsed by AQCS. Microchipping is not federally mandated by CFIA for entry, but ISO 11784/11785 chips are required by all airlines for cargo transport and are strongly recommended regardless.

Cats entering Canada from India require an official health certificate but no rabies vaccination. The health certificate confirms the cat is free from infectious disease and fit to travel. Both dogs and cats are inspected by CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) on arrival. If documentation is incomplete or the pet appears unwell, CBSA can detain the animal at the owner’s expense while the issue is resolved.

No import permit is required for personal pet imports of 1-2 animals intended for personal use. If you are importing 3 or more dogs, or importing for any commercial purpose, a CFIA import permit is required. Check the current CFIA rules at inspection.gc.ca before travel.

AQCS export documentation: what India requires on departure

All pet exports from India require an AQCS No-Objection Certificate. Apply to the AQCS regional office nearest your departure city: offices are in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Allow 4-6 weeks. Two clinical examinations are required as part of the AQCS process: the first approximately 7 days before travel, the second within 2 days of departure. The health certificate is issued by an AQCS-registered vet following the second examination and endorsed by AQCS. It is valid 14 days from issue.

The health certificate must be in a format that satisfies CFIA’s requirements. An IPATA-registered agent based in India with experience on the India-Canada corridor will know the correct format and can manage the AQCS process from application to endorsement. First-time exporters often underestimate the processing time, so starting the NOC application as soon as you have a firm travel date is advisable.

Keep original copies of all vaccination records, the AQCS NOC, and the health certificate. CBSA inspectors may want to see original documents. Laminated or photocopied certificates are not acceptable.

Airline options for India to Canada pet cargo

No airline accepts pets in the cabin on India-Canada international routes. All pets travel as cargo. Small pets that meet airline size and weight limits for cabin travel may have options on short connecting domestic sectors, but the long-haul India-Canada segment is always cargo. Your pet will travel in a pressurised, temperature-controlled hold in an IATA-compliant crate.

Air India operates direct services between Indian cities and Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR), making it a straightforward option for the cargo booking. Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Emirates offer connecting options via their respective hubs. Connecting routes add journey time but can offer better scheduling flexibility.

Canadian winters are cold, and summer in India and the Gulf can be hot. Both extremes create potential temperature embargoes on live animal cargo. Check the restrictions for your travel month with your chosen carrier before booking. Your pet transport agent will flag seasonal restrictions as part of the route planning.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. Canada does not require a titre test for personal pet imports from India. Your dog needs a valid rabies vaccination and an official health certificate. If the vaccination is more than 3 years old, re-vaccinate before travel. Source: CFIA, inspection.gc.ca

No routine quarantine is required for personal pets arriving with correct documentation. CBSA inspects pets on arrival. If documentation is incomplete or the pet appears unwell, CBSA may detain the animal at the owner’s expense while the issue is resolved. Arrive with all original documents in order.

AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services) issues the No-Objection Certificate required for all pet exports from India. Without it, the health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and airlines will not carry your pet on an international flight. Apply to the AQCS regional office in your city at least 4-6 weeks before travel. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in

No. CFIA does not require rabies vaccination for cats entering Canada. Cats still need an official health certificate for both airline cargo transport and CBSA border inspection. Check with your airline for their specific cat documentation requirements.

Allow 6-12 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. The AQCS NOC process takes 4-6 weeks and the two clinical examinations must be timed around your departure date. There is no titre test or long waiting period required for this route, making it one of the faster India-origin international pet moves.

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet
to Canada.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. We map the complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.

Get my free quote