United States

✈️

Canada

Pet Transport USA to Canada: One of the Simplest Routes

1-4 weeks

Typical preparation

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

✓ Managed

Full door-to-door service

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Lead time needed

1-4 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Low

Airlines

3 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to Canada typically takes around 1-4 weeks.

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Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →

Overview

Bringing your dog or cat from United States to Canada takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 1-4 weeks to be comfortable.

Map your dates against the steps below and you will stay on track.

Step by step

The United States to Canada process

Verify now. The rabies certificate is the core document.

Confirm rabies vaccination is current (dogs 3 months and older)

Responsible: Vet

Driving is common and simple for US to Canada moves.

Decide: drive across the border or fly

Responsible: Owner

Few weeks ahead. Air Canada allows cabin for small pets.

If flying: book cabin or cargo space

Responsible: Owner or agent

Within the airline-required window

Vet health certificate for the airline (if flying)

Responsible: Licensed US vet

On travel date.

Travel to Canada (drive or fly)

Responsible: Owner / airline

At the border or airport. No quarantine. Released to owner.

CBSA inspection. Rabies certificate verified.

Responsible: Canada Border Services Agency

Checklist

Canada: entry requirements

Requirement	Detail
Microchip	Recommended and required by airlines. ISO microchip advised.
Rabies vaccination	Required for dogs 3 months and older. A valid rabies vaccination certificate is required at the border.
Import permit	No import permit required for personal pet dogs and cats from the USA.
Health certificate	Rabies certificate is the core document for personal pets. Airlines require a health certificate for cargo or cabin booking. Commercial imports face stricter rules.

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Leaving United States

Export requirements

Requirement	Detail
Export permit	No formal US export permit required.
Health certificate	Health certificate from a licensed US veterinarian for the airline booking. Not federally required for the land border but advisable.

Costs

What this route typically costs

1	Driving: minimal cost beyond the rabies certificate (vet fee $50 to $120)
2	Air Canada cabin pet fee: approximately CAD 50 to CAD 120 per leg for small pets
3	Air cargo fee (larger pets): CAD 500 to CAD 2,000 depending on route and crate size
4	Vet health certificate for the airline: $50 to $200
5	IATA-compliant travel crate (if cargo): $100 to $400

Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Canada's core requirement for dogs 3 months and older is a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Ensure it is current and properly documented.

⚠ Provincial and municipal breed rules vary. Ontario has had restrictions on pit bull types. Check your destination province and city.

⚠ Commercial imports (animals being sold or transferred) face stricter CFIA rules, including a health certificate within 3 days. Personal pet moves are simpler.

⚠ If driving in winter, plan for cold weather and ensure the pet is comfortable for the journey.

Carriers

Airlines on this route

Air Canada

Cabin for small pets on many routes, cargo for larger. US to Canadian cities.

Mixed

WestJet

US to Canada routes. Cabin and cargo options. Check current policy at booking.

Mixed

Land border (own vehicle)

Many US to Canada pet moves are by car across the land border. Present the rabies certificate to CBSA.

Cargo Only

Canada entry requirements at a glance

The requirements for Canada are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.

Getting the details right

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

Yes. Many US to Canada pet moves are by car. At the land border, CBSA checks the rabies vaccination certificate for dogs 3 months and older. There is no quarantine. Driving avoids cargo handling and is the simplest option for cross-border moves. Keep the rabies certificate accessible to present at the border.

For personal pets, a valid rabies vaccination certificate is the core requirement for dogs 3 months and older. The certificate must identify the animal and confirm the vaccination is current. If flying, the airline will also require a health certificate for the booking. There is no quarantine and no titre test for the USA to Canada route.

Yes, on Air Canada and WestJet on many routes. Air Canada allows small pets in the cabin provided they meet the under-seat carrier size and weight limits. This is convenient for small pets on longer cross-country moves. Larger dogs travel in cargo. Confirm cabin availability for your specific route and pet size when booking.

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, and some cities have their own bylaws. Check the rules for your specific destination province and municipality before the move.

Airline guides

Air Canada
WestJet
Land border (own vehicle)

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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United States to Canada?