Equine Imports - Returning to the United States from Canada

Last Modified: March 27, 2024

U.S. origin horses exported to Canada with A U.S. issued export health certificate

U.S. origin horses exported to Canada with a U.S. issued export health certificate (valid for 30 days) may reenter the U.S. for an unlimited number of times during the 30 day period without an USDA Veterinary Services port inspection. The importer must present the original export health certificate to customs at a land border port of entry designated for animals from Canada. View a list of all US Ports of Entry.

The importer will need:

  • The original U.S. international health certificate of examination and
  • A negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test drawn within 180 days prior to return to the U.S.

U.S. origin horses exported to Canada for recognized competitions or events for less than 90 days with a U.S. issued health certificate

Horses from the U.S. that have exhibited or competed in Canada and have not been in the region for more than 90 days are eligible to return to the U.S. without a Canadian health certificate, if the accompanying original U.S. export health certificate was issued and endorsed in accordance with the export regulations for traveling to Canada. These horses must have resided only at events with horses with similar health requirements.

They will need:

  • The original U.S. international health certificate of examination. If they have overstayed the 90 day limit these horses will need a Canadian issued health certificate to return (see health certificate requirements below).
  • A negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test drawn within 180 days prior to return to the U.S.
  • A veterinary inspection at the U.S. port of entry. Associated fees for inspection and travel time by port personnel will be needed as for any permanent entry. Call to make an appointment with the land border port of entry at least 3 business days before arrival at the port.

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

All Contacts

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.

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