Lithuania to Canada is a short process compared to Australia or many Asian destinations. No titre test, no quarantine for compliant arrivals, and Canada's CFIA accepts VMVT-endorsed Lithuanian health certificates. The main constraint is the …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Verify ISO microchip and current rabies vaccination
Responsible: Lithuanian vet
Check ahead of time. Vaccination must be valid at Canadian entry.
2
VMVT-endorsed health certificate from authorised vet
Responsible: VMVT-authorised vet + VMVT
Within 10 days of arrival in Canada. Allow time for VMVT endorsement within the window.
3
Book cargo from Vilnius or Kaunas via hub to Canadian city
Responsible: Owner or agent
6-8 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance on all legs.
4
Travel via European hub to Canada
Responsible: Airline + owner
Travel day. 12-18 hours total.
5
CBSA and CFIA inspection on arrival
Responsible: CBSA and CFIA
On arrival. Present all original documentation.
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 standard. Required by most airlines for cargo.
Rabies vaccination
Required for dogs. Current at time of entry. For cats: not federally mandated but recommended.
Rabies titre test
Not required from Lithuania. Canada does not require a titre test from EU-origin pets.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant arrivals.
Import permit
Not required for personal pets (dogs and cats).
Health certificate
VMVT-endorsed official vet certificate. Issued within 10 days of Canadian arrival.
Export permit (Lithuania)
No formal export permit required for personal companion pets from Lithuania.
Costs
What this route typically costs
VMVT-endorsed health certificate: EUR 80-200
Cargo Lithuania to Canada via hub: EUR 600-2,000
IATA travel crate: EUR 80-300
Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 400-900
Total typical range: EUR 800-3,200
Critical points to read before you book
Lithuania has two main airports (Vilnius VNO, Kaunas KUN) but both require hub connections for transatlantic routes. Confirm cargo pet acceptance on the Lithuanian airport to hub leg specifically.
The 10-day certificate validity window is strict. Plan the VMVT endorsement step before booking your travel date.
Check the provincial animal import requirements for the specific Canadian province you are entering, in addition to CFIA federal requirements.
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.
LOT POLISH
LOT Polish Airlines
Warsaw (WAW) is accessible from Vilnius (VNO) and Kaunas (KUN). LOT Cargo to European hubs from Warsaw. Warsaw is a practical staging point for transatlantic routes.
Cargo Only
AIR CANADA
Air Canada
Via Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or London to Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. Air Canada Cargo in heated and pressurised hold. Access from Lithuania via connecting flights to European hubs.
Cargo Only
KLM ROYAL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Via Amsterdam Schiphol from Lithuanian airports. KLM Cargo transatlantic routes to Canada. Established live animal cargo programme from AMS.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt or Munich from Lithuanian cities. Lufthansa Cargo to Canada from FRA. Frankfurt Animal Lounge available for live animal transit.
Cargo Only
CFIA requirements for Lithuanian pets: what you need and what you don't
Compared to routes like Lithuania to Australia or the USA, the Canada process is relatively clean. CFIA does not require a titre test from Lithuania. It does not require a quarantine period if your documents are correct.
What CFIA requires is a health certificate from an official VMVT-authorised vet, endorsed by the VMVT itself. For dogs, a current rabies vaccination. For cats, rabies is not federally required but all major cargo airlines require it.
The certificate is valid for 10 days from the signing date. That window includes the time for VMVT endorsement (1-3 working days) and then the actual travel date. Plan the vet appointment so that you have at least 6 days of certificate validity remaining after you receive the endorsed document.
Airports and routing options from Lithuania
Vilnius International Airport (VNO) is Lithuania’s main hub. Kaunas Airport (KUN) serves mainly low-cost carriers. For pet cargo to Canada, VNO is the more practical starting point.
From Vilnius, connections to European hubs operate via Lufthansa (to Munich or Frankfurt), LOT Polish Airlines (to Warsaw), KLM (to Amsterdam), and others. Warsaw is one of the better connection points given LOT’s cargo network. Amsterdam via KLM is another reliable option.
Once at the European hub, the transatlantic leg to Canada operates via Air Canada, KLM, or Lufthansa cargo services. Toronto (YYZ) is the most common entry point. Vancouver (YVR) suits western Canada destinations.
FAQ
Common questions about Lithuania to Canada pet transport
Your authorised vet completes and signs the official health certificate. The signed certificate then goes to the VMVT (State Food and Veterinary Service of Lithuania) for the official government endorsement, which confirms the issuing vet is authorised and the certificate meets international standards. VMVT endorsement typically takes 1-3 working days. Your vet or a transport agent can manage this step.
The health certificate is issued for the Lithuania-to-Canada journey. If you are transiting through EU countries as part of the cargo routing, the certificate covers the journey. You do not need separate EU transit documentation for a cargo pet moving from one EU country through another EU country as part of an international journey.
At the federal CFIA level, Canada does not maintain a banned breed list for dog imports. However, several Canadian provinces have their own breed-specific legislation, notably Ontario (pit bull restrictions) and several municipalities. Check the rules for your destination province before travel.