Bringing your dog or cat from South Africa to Canada takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Plan on roughly 6-10 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. There is no routine quarantine, provided …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Africa to Canada
typically takes around 6-10 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 South Africa 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 and pre-dates the rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet
Verify now.
2
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and valid
Responsible: Your vet
Verify vaccination dates and validity period.
3
Apply for DALRRD export permit
Responsible: Owner, DALRRD State Vet
3-4 weeks before travel.
4
Book cargo space on chosen route (Emirates via Dubai or BA via London)
Responsible: Owner or agent
6-8 weeks ahead.
5
DALRRD-authorised vet issues health certificate in CFIA format
Responsible: DALRRD-authorised vet
Within 10 days of travel. State Vet endorsement obtained.
6
Travel to Canada. CFIA inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, CFIA
On travel date. No quarantine for compliant pets.
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. Required for dogs that need to comply with US transit requirements (if connecting via the USA). ISO 11784/11785.
Rabies vaccination
Required for dogs (dogs must be vaccinated for rabies). Valid within manufacturer's stated period.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for pets arriving with correct documentation.
Import permit
Not required for personal pets (1-2 dogs). Commercial imports require CFIA import permit.
Health certificate
Required. Issued by a South African official vet within the timeframe specified by CFIA (typically 10 days). Must meet CFIA format requirements.
Export permit (South Africa)
Veterinary Export Permit required from DALRRD (Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) via the provincial State Veterinarian.
Pet transport agent (South Africa side): ZAR 5,000-15,000
Total typical range: CAD 1,500 to CAD 4,500 (GBP 900 to GBP 2,700)
Critical points to read before you book
There are no direct flights from South Africa to Canada. All routes involve a connection, most commonly via Dubai (Emirates) or London (British Airways). The connection city adds travel time and, depending on the airline, may require the pet to clear customs in transit.
Tick and parasite treatment before departure is strongly recommended. South Africa has significant tick-borne disease risk. While Canada does not formally require tick treatment as an entry condition, arriving with an infested pet is a welfare concern.
DALRRD processing times can vary. Start the export permit application 4-6 weeks before your intended travel date.
Commercial dog import to Canada is subject to a moratorium on dogs imported for resale. This does not affect personal pets but clarify your situation with CFIA if you have more than 2 dogs.
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.
EMIRATES
Emirates
Johannesburg or Cape Town to Toronto/Vancouver via Dubai. Emirates SkyCargo. Commonly used for this route.
Cargo Only
BRITISH
British Airways
Johannesburg to London Heathrow, then connect to Canada. IAG Cargo. Two-leg journey.
Cargo Only
AIR CANADA
Air Canada
No direct South Africa service. Connections via London or other European hubs.
Cargo Only
Canada entry requirements at a glance
The path into Canada is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Getting the details right
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about South Africa to Canada pet transport
No. Canada does not require a rabies titre test for personal pets from South Africa. The requirements are a current rabies vaccination, an ISO microchip, and a CFIA-format health certificate from a DALRRD-authorised South African vet. No quarantine is required for compliant arrivals.
Emirates via Dubai to Toronto or Vancouver is the most commonly used route for this journey. Emirates SkyCargo has experience with South Africa to North America pet moves. British Airways via London and then Air Canada to the Canadian city is another option. Both involve a connection; discuss the transit conditions with the carrier when booking.
Canada does not formally require tick treatment as an entry condition. However, South Africa has significant tick-borne disease risk, and a dog that leaves South Africa with a tick infestation or active tick-borne infection may become seriously ill after arrival. Tick prevention and, ideally, tick-borne disease testing before departure is strongly recommended by pet transport agents who work on this route.
Allow 3-4 weeks for the export permit from DALRRD. The health certificate itself is issued within 10 days of travel by the DALRRD-authorised vet. In total, start the DALRRD process 4-6 weeks before your travel date.
Airline guides
Emirates
British Airways
Air Canada
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.