Equine Imports - Canada to the United States, except Alaska, Permanent
*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)
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, unless transporting by air. In that instance they will need a permit issued by USDA APHIS.
Requirements Prior to Crossing the Border
STEP 1: Gather Required Documents
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.
STEP 2: Determine Your Border Crossing Point and Set Appointment
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 may have it's own additional requirements - contact them for the latest information.
Ports of Entry
Crossing the Border
The importer should call and schedule an appointment 72 hours in advance of crossing. The Port Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) or Animal Health Technician (AHT) or Program Assistant (PA) will be able to answer all their questions and ensure they have everything they need for a smooth import.
Fees
The processes and fees involved with importing horses and other equids, as well as equid germplasm (semen, embryos and cloning tissue) depend on the conditions of entry.
APHIS charges to issue an import permit, and for amending and renewing a permit if applicable.
Costs are associated with providing services for importing and transiting horses at airports, ocean ports, rail ports, land border ports, and southern border port and animal import center quarantines.
The fees billed are per individual horse. Charges for combined shipments may be split between brokers.
Overtime rates apply for after duty hours, weekends and holidays for inspection services. 9CFR 130.30
Hourly rates also cover the costs of monitoring in-bond or transiting horses passing through the United States and exporting to other countries.