Canada to the United States - Permanent

Horses will need An official health certificate of physical examination performed within 30 days of travel, endorsed by a salaried veterinarian of the Canadian government.

The standard Health Certificate statements for importing horses into the United States from Canada should state that the horse has:

• Been in Canada for 60 days preceding importation. If resident for less than 60 days, the horse will be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of each country in which the horse has been during the 60 days immediately preceding shipment to the U.S. with associated residency dates.
• Been inspected and found free of contagious diseases or any known exposure to any diseases immediately preceding exportation or during the period of residency in the exporting country or countries stated above.
• Not been vaccinated during the 14 days prior to exportation.
• Not been on a premises where African horse sickness, dourine, glanders, surra, epizootic lymphangitis, ulcerative lymphantis, equine piroplasmosis, equine infectious anemia, contagious equine metritis, vesicular stomatitis, or Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis has occurred during the last 60 days immediately preceding exportation, nor have these diseases occurred on any adjoining premises during the previous 60 days.
• Not been in a country where contagious equine metritis (CEM) is known to exist, nor have had any contact, breeding or otherwise, with horses from any such country, for the last 12 months preceding exportation.
• Been found negative to EIA within 180 days prior to export on a sample tested by a laboratory approved by CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) or the U.S. Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). Both AGID and ELISA tests are accepted for Canadian horses.

Horses staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days are considered a permanent entry. Each horse must be inspected by an APHIS port veterinarian.  Inspections should be scheduled at least 3 business days in advance of arrival at the land border port. A broker and formal entry may be required for any horse—both commercial and noncommercial—at the direction of Customs and Border Protection. Contact the port veterinarian directly to make an appointment and to find out if there are any additional requirements for entry at that port.

Due to the dynamic nature of security requirements and inspection personnel, you *MUST* contact the port at least *3 business days prior to crossing*.  Each port has may have it's own additional requirements - contact them for the latest information.  

Available Ports