Equine Imports - Canada to the United States, except Alaska, Temporary
*Horses from Canada who have been in Canada less than 60 days must be accompanied by an original copy of export health certificate from country of origin. If original is not available, a copy endorsed by Canadian government veterinary officials is acceptable. In addition, they must be accompanied by certification from Canadian government veterinary officials that the horses have been tested for dourine, glanders equine infectious anemia, piroplasmosis, and have been released from quarantine. Import testing requirements for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) if required have been met in Canada, and the horse should be accompanied by documentation certifying to the testing. The official export health certificate statements in i. – v. above will certify the horses for the time period they have been in Canada.
Horses from Canada who have been in Canada less than 60 days (19.51 KB)
Horses imported into the United States from Canada for Temporary Entry (Less Than 30 Days)
Canadian horses imported into the United States from Canada that have resided in Canada for at least 60 days and that meet U.S. import requirements do NOT require a permit.
These 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. Se Canadian health certificate requirements below.
- A negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test drawn within 180 days prior to export.
Horses staying in the U.S. for less than 30 days from the date of issues of the health certificate are considered a temporary entry and will not require a veterinary inspection. [See 9CFR 93.317, (b)]
Canadian Health Certificate Requirements
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.
Ports of Entry
Horses imported from Canada entering the United States temporarily may enter through any land border port designated for animals from Canada.
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 directly to find out if there are any additional requirements for entry at that port.