Pet Transport UK to Canada: A Straightforward Route
The journey from United Kingdom to Canada for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Give yourself roughly 4-8 weeks, though this route carries fewer hurdles than most. Pets with correct documentation skip …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Canada
typically takes around 4-8 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 United Kingdom to Canada pet import process
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 import rules, explained
Canada keeps its import requirements relatively light, which makes preparing easier. Even so, the basics still need to be right and in the correct order.
Practical tips for this move
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.
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.
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.
Airline guides
Air Canada
British Airways
WestJet
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.