Import / Export

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Resources

- Sanitary Requirements for the Export of Horses from Canada to the U.S.
  HA1964 (Amended 2019-07-17)
- Sanitary Requirements for Export of Horses (Multiple) from Canada to the U.S. HA1963 (Amended 2019-07-17)

European Union

Canadian exporters are required to use the Trade Control and Expert System New Technology (TRACES NT) as of January 15, 2022, for export certificates for all food and animal commodities destined to the EU. For more information about TRACES, refer to the CFIA web page Exporting food and animal products to the European Union.

Exporters are required to complete Part I of the appropriate certificate in TRACES NT and continue to request export services (inspection and certificate issuance) from their local CFIA office.

Export certificates are accessed through the TRACES NT and are listed below.

If you are planning an export, please contact the Animal health offices in your area to get further information.

Import conditions for horses from the European Union Member States for permanent stay in Canada: Breeding horses, racing horses, horses for riding and pleasure, horses for non-competitive entertainment, and Andalusian horses

Transporting horses in Canada

Make sure animals are fit for the journey

Anyone wanting to transport horses must first ensure that the animals are healthy enough to handle the stress of transportation. When in doubt, seek the advice of a veterinarian or contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) before loading animals.

To help protect horses during travel, transporters must:

be knowledgeable and skilled about the handling and transporting of horses
have contingency plans in place to address unusual or unexpected transport events
assess and monitor horses during loading and throughout in their capacity to withstand transportation
provide feed, water and rest at required intervals.
horses must not be without feed and water for longer than 28 hours, after which they must have a rest period of at least 8 consecutive hours before resuming their journey
provide immediate attention to animals that become unfit for transport, including veterinary care or euthanasia at the scene if necessary
handle animals during loading, confinement, transport and unloading in a manner that does not cause or is not likely to cause suffering, injury or death
use appropriate loading and unloading facilities and equipment, such as chutes with break-out walls, self-aligning loading docks, and ramps with slopes that do not exceed 30° and are properly lit
use suitable vehicles that provide adequate ventilation, non-slip footing surfaces, appropriate bedding and protection from the weather
ensure that horses are not subjected to unnecessary suffering or death due to overcrowding
ensure horses are:
- able to stand at all times with all feet on the floor, with head elevated
- with sufficient space to permit a full range of head movement
- without any part of its body coming into contact with a deck, roof or top of the conveyance or cover of the container
ensure horses are not transported in conveyances with multiple decks

Everyone responsible for transporting horses must follow Canada’s animal transport requirements. The CFIA recognizes that the majority of transporters treat animals with care. The few who do not may face fines or prosecution. As well, imported loads of improperly transported animals may be refused entry into Canada.