Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
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
Check winter temperature embargo dates if travelling November to March
Responsible: Owner to check with airline
Before booking. Cold-weather embargoes affect cargo acceptance.
2
Official Veterinarian issues health certificate
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet
Close to travel date, per airline and CFIA requirements
3
CFIA / CBSA inspection on arrival. Rabies certificate verified.
Responsible: Canada Border Services Agency / CFIA
On arrival. No quarantine. Released to owner.
Which Canada rules depend on a pet coming from the United Kingdom?
Canada sorts countries into 3 groups, and the United Kingdom falls in “Countries recognized as rabies free”.
Rabies-free origin; cats and dogs can meet the rabies condition by origin and residence instead of vaccination. List under review. Official source
The rules that apply to every pet entering Canada, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Canada guide.
What does the United Kingdom require before your pet leaves?
We are still checking the export rules of the United Kingdom against official government pages, so they are not shown here yet.
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.
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
FAQ
Common questions about United Kingdom to Canada pet transport
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.
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.