Lead time needed
8-12 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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RS
CA

Pet Transport from Serbia to Canada

Bringing your dog or cat from Serbia to Canada takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect around 8-12 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Serbia to Canada typically takes around 8-12 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Step by step

The Serbia to Canada import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
Start of planning.
Confirm ISO microchip implanted before or on the day of rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Serbian vet.

2
Before booking travel.
Rabies vaccination, given after the dog is at least 3 months old.

Responsible: Serbian vet.

3
As early as possible; processing and designated-airport logistics both need lead time.
Apply for the CFIA import permit.

Responsible: Owner.

4
Before booking, checking whether Air Serbia's May-September window applies.
Decide cabin (Air Serbia's seasonal Toronto route, 8kg limit) versus cargo (Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines) based on size and travel dates.

Responsible: Owner.

5
4-6 weeks before travel.
Book the flight into a CFIA-designated airport.

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent.

6
Within days of departure.
Serbian vet exam and Veterinary Directorate endorsement of the export certificate, built to CFIA's format.

Responsible: Serbian vet and Veterinary Directorate.

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Canada

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip required, implanted before or on the same day …
Rabies vaccination
Required, given after the microchip and after the dog reaches 3 months of age. …
Rabies titre test
Not required for a personal pet under CFIA's current policy, even from a …
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for a dog that arrives correctly documented through a …
Import permit
CFIA import permit required in advance for dogs from high-risk countries. Apply …
Health certificate
Serbian export health certificate, built to CFIA's import format, confirming the …
Export permit
No formal export licence needed for a non-commercial move of your own pet. …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Serbian veterinary fees: microchip if needed, vaccination, exam and …
Veterinary Directorate endorsement fee for the export certificate
Air Serbia cabin pet fee, Belgrade to Toronto direct (May-September …
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 150-500, larger sizes for cargo …
Cargo airline fee via Frankfurt or Istanbul for larger dogs: CAD …
Pet transport agent fee, recommended for a cargo booking or a CFIA …

Critical points

Serbia sits on the CFIA's high-risk list for dog rabies, which is a different classification from the US CDC's, where Serbia is not treated as high-risk. Don't assume the two countries apply the same rules just because they're neighbouring markets.

Air Serbia's Belgrade-Toronto flight is seasonal, twice weekly and cabin-only. Outside May to September, or for a dog over 8kg, it isn't an option and a Frankfurt or Istanbul cargo routing is needed instead.

Entry from a high-risk country is restricted to a handful of designated Canadian airports with animal inspection facilities. Flying into a non-designated airport is not an option regardless of paperwork.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Air Serbia
Launched a twice-weekly seasonal Belgrade-Toronto (YYZ) service in May 2026, its third …
Cabin and Hold
Lufthansa Cargo
Routes larger dogs via Frankfurt (FRA) into a CFIA-designated Canadian gateway, booked as …
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines Cargo
Alternative via Istanbul (IST), useful outside the May-to-September window when Air …
Cargo Only

What Canada requires

The requirements for Canada are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.

Avoiding the common mistakes

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency lists Serbia as high-risk for dog rabies, a different classification from the US CDC, which does not treat Serbia the same way. This means a CFIA import permit, entry via a designated airport, and confirmation of the dog’s age are all required.
No, not under CFIA’s current personal pet policy, even though Serbia is on the high-risk list. A valid rabies vaccination certificate, the correct microchip-before-vaccination order, and the CFIA import permit are the operative requirements, not a blood antibody test.
Yes, but only from late May to late September and only if the dog is small enough. Air Serbia runs a twice-weekly seasonal Belgrade-Toronto service, cabin only, up to 8kg combined weight with the carrier. Outside that window, or for a larger dog, a Frankfurt or Istanbul cargo routing is needed.
Entry is restricted to a small number of designated airports with animal inspection facilities: Toronto Pearson, Montreal Trudeau, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax. A dog from a high-risk country cannot enter through a regular border crossing or a non-designated airport.
Airline guides
  • Air Serbia
  • Lufthansa Cargo
  • Turkish Airlines Cargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Canada.

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RS CASerbia to Canada
International pet transport route
Lead time8-12 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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