Pet Transport from Vietnam to Canada: No Titre Test, MARD Certificate
Taking your dog or cat from Vietnam to Canada comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Expect about 8-14 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Vietnam to Canada
typically takes around 8-14 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Vietnam to Canada import process
01
At least 30 days before travel to ensure vaccination is current and valid.
Implant microchip and administer rabies vaccination in Vietnam.
Responsible: Vet in Vietnam
02
Within 10 days of departure from Vietnam.
Obtain official health certificate from MARD-authorised vet, countersigned by DAH.
Responsible: MARD-authorised official vet
03
6-8 weeks before departure to secure space.
Book cargo space on connecting flight to Canada (e.g. via Seoul, Taipei).
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
04
After health certificate is issued.
Fly to Canada via hub. CBSA inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, CBSA
Requirements
Canada entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Microchip strongly recommended. Canada does not mandate microchipping for import, but it is required by most airlines and is standard practice.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required for dogs aged 3 months or older. Vaccination must have been given in Vietnam or another country recognised by the CFIA. Source: CFIA, inspection.gc.ca.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Canada does not require a titre test or quarantine period for personal pet imports from Vietnam. Source: CFIA, inspection.gc.ca.
Quarantine
No quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Import permit
No import permit required for personal pet dogs and cats. The health certificate serves as the entry document.
Health certificate
Official health certificate in Canadian government-approved format, issued by a MARD-authorised official vet and countersigned by DAH. Presented to CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) on arrival.
Leaving Vietnam
Export requirements
Export permit
No separate export permit required for pet dogs and cats. MARD-endorsed health certificate is the export document. Departure from major international airports including Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN).
Health certificate
Official health certificate from a MARD-authorised official vet, countersigned by the Department of Animal Health (DAH). Issued within 10 days of departure. Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, cucthuy.gov.vn.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Rabies vaccination and microchip in Vietnam: approximately VND 500,000-2,000,000
MARD health certificate and DAH endorsement: approximately VND 500,000-1,500,000
Cargo fees Vietnam to Canada via hub: approximately CAD 800-2,500 depending on pet size and routing
Pet transport agent fee: CAD 300-800 if used
Realistic total: CAD 1,500-4,000
Critical points
No direct cargo flights operate between Vietnam and Canada. All routings involve at least one hub connection. Each leg must accept live animals: confirm with both carriers before booking.
CFIA does not require a titre test from Vietnam. This makes Vietnam-Canada considerably simpler than Vietnam-to-EU routes, which do require a titre test and 90-day wait.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the Canadian arrival date and must be in a format accepted by the CFIA. A generic Vietnamese veterinary certificate is not sufficient.
Dogs aged 3 months or older must have a current rabies vaccination. Dogs under 3 months are subject to additional restrictions at Canadian entry.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines connects HAN and SGN to Canadian cities via hub connections (typically Seoul ICN or other Asian hubs). No direct Vietnam-Canada cargo service. Advance booking and full documentation required.
Cargo Only
Korean Air Cargo
Via Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Vancouver (YVR) or Toronto (YYZ). A common connecting option from Vietnam. Korean Air Cargo handles live animals. Documentation must be valid for both legs.
Cargo Only
Air Canada Cargo
Air Canada Cargo accepts live animals into Canada. Does not operate its own direct services from Vietnam but can be part of a connecting arrangement with partner carriers.
Cargo Only
EVA Air Cargo
Via Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) to Vancouver or Toronto. An option for owners departing from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
Cargo Only
What Canada requires
The path into Canada is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. Canada (CFIA) does not require a titre test for personal pet imports from Vietnam. A current rabies vaccination and an official health certificate are the key requirements. Source: CFIA, inspection.gc.ca.
No. There is no quarantine for compliant pets arriving in Canada from Vietnam. CBSA will inspect the documentation on arrival, but compliant pets are released without a holding period.
Allow 8-14 weeks total. Most of this time is for booking cargo space, completing vaccinations, and obtaining the MARD health certificate within the required 10-day window before Canadian arrival.
No. There are no direct cargo services from Vietnam to Canada. All routings require a hub connection, typically Seoul ICN via Korean Air or Taipei TPE via EVA Air. Confirm live animal acceptance on both legs before booking.
Canada: no titre test, no quarantine, total preparation 8-14 weeks. Germany (EU): titre test required, 90-day wait from blood draw, total preparation 20-28 weeks. Canada is considerably simpler in terms of documentation and timeline.
Airline guides
Vietnam Airlines
Korean Air Cargo
Air Canada Cargo
EVA Air Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.