Pet Transport UK to Canada: A Straightforward Route
Moving a pet from the UK to Canada is one of the simpler international routes. Canada does not quarantine pets, and the core requirement for dogs is a valid rabies vaccination certificate. There is no titre test. The main planning …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm rabies vaccination is current (dogs 3 months and older)
Responsible: Vet
Verify now. The rabies certificate is the core CFIA document.
2
Check winter temperature embargo dates if travelling November to March
Responsible: Owner to check with airline
Before booking. Cold-weather embargoes affect cargo acceptance.
3
Book cargo space on UK to Canada route
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead.
4
Official Veterinarian issues health certificate
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet
Close to travel date, per airline and CFIA requirements
5
Travel to Canada as cargo
Responsible: Airline cargo
On travel date.
6
CFIA / CBSA inspection on arrival. Rabies certificate verified.
Responsible: Canada Border Services Agency / CFIA
On arrival. No quarantine. Released to owner.
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
Recommended and required by airlines. CFIA accepts identification; ISO microchip advised.
Rabies vaccination
Required for dogs 3 months and older. A valid rabies vaccination certificate is required at the border.
Quarantine
Not required. Canada does not quarantine pets arriving with correct documentation.
Import permit
No import permit required for personal pet dogs and cats from the UK.
Health certificate
Health certificate required, especially for commercially imported animals. For personal pets, the rabies certificate is the core document. Airlines require a health certificate for cargo booking.
Export permit (United Kingdom)
No formal UK export permit required.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Cargo airline fee: £900 to £2,500 from Heathrow to a Canadian city depending on crate size
APHA health certificate: £150 to £400
Pet transport agent fee: £400 to £1,200
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £350
Canadian arrival handling: CAD 100 to CAD 300
Total typical range: £1,400 to £3,800
Critical points to read before you book
Winter temperature embargoes (approximately November to March) restrict live animal cargo on Canadian routes during extreme cold. Brachycephalic and cold-sensitive breeds are most affected. Plan winter moves carefully.
Canada's core requirement for dogs 3 months and older is a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Ensure it is current and properly documented before travel.
Provincial rules can vary. Some provinces and municipalities have breed-specific legislation (for example, Ontario has had restrictions on pit bull types). Check the rules for your specific destination province and city.
For commercially imported animals (not personal pets), CFIA requirements are stricter, including a health certificate within 3 days. Personal pet moves are simpler.
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 CANADA
Air Canada
Direct UK to Canada routes. Air Canada Cargo handles pets. Note: cabin pets allowed on some routes for small animals.
Cargo Only
BRITISH
British Airways
Heathrow to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal. Pets via IAG Cargo and PetAir UK for export.
Cargo Only
WESTJET
WestJet
UK to Canada routes. Check current cargo pet acceptance and seasonal embargoes at booking.
Cargo Only
Canada's CFIA requirements
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) governs pet imports. For personal pet dogs aged 3 months and older arriving from the UK, the core requirement is a valid rabies vaccination certificate. The certificate must identify the animal, confirm the vaccination is current, and be signed by a licensed veterinarian.
There is no quarantine and no titre test. Canada treats the UK as a low-risk origin. Cats face even lighter requirements, though airlines will require a health certificate for the cargo booking regardless.
Note that requirements are stricter for commercially imported animals (those being sold or transferred) than for personal pets travelling with their owner. This guide covers personal pet moves.
Winter temperature embargoes
Canadian winters are cold, and airlines impose temperature embargoes on live animal cargo when ground temperatures fall below safe thresholds, typically from November through March in many parts of the country.
These embargoes protect animals from extreme cold during loading, transit on the tarmac, and unloading. Cold-sensitive breeds and very young or old animals are most affected. If your move falls in the Canadian winter, check the embargo conditions with your airline. Options include choosing a warmer arrival city, timing the flight for the mildest part of the day, or adjusting the travel date.
Conversely, summer heat embargoes are less of a concern for most Canadian destinations than they are for, say, Dubai or Singapore, but always confirm with the airline.
FAQ
Common questions about United Kingdom to Canada pet transport
No. Canada does not quarantine pets arriving with correct documentation. For dogs aged 3 months and older, the core requirement is a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Your pet is released after the border inspection by the Canada Border Services Agency. There is no titre test and no facility stay.
A valid rabies vaccination certificate is the core CFIA requirement for dogs 3 months and older. The certificate must identify the animal (breed, colour, markings, ideally microchip number), confirm the vaccination is current, and be signed by a licensed vet. Airlines will additionally require a health certificate for the cargo booking. For personal pets, this is the main paperwork; commercially imported animals face stricter rules.
Canada has no federal breed-specific legislation, but provinces and municipalities can have their own rules. Ontario, for example, has had restrictions on pit bull type dogs. Some cities have their own bylaws. Check the rules for your specific destination province and municipality before the move. If your dog is a restricted type in your destination province, you need to understand the local requirements, which may affect whether the dog can be kept there.
Temperature embargoes vary by airline and by the specific ground temperatures at departure and arrival, but they are most common from November through March when Canadian temperatures fall well below freezing. Airlines restrict live animal cargo to protect pets from extreme cold. If you are moving in winter, check the embargo conditions with your airline early and consider a milder arrival city or adjusting your travel date to avoid the coldest periods.