Importing birds into Canada can be challenging due to a variety of regulations and requirements set by different government agencies. These regulations are not centralized, making it difficult for importers to navigate the process smoothly. Additionally, the lack of a central authority can lead to confusion and inefficiency, as importers may be bounced around between different agencies in search of comprehensive answers. This decentralized approach can contribute to the perception that Canada is one of the most challenging countries to import goods, including birds, from the USA.
Here is what we have found out.
Bird exports from Canada to USA
According the the US APHIS authority – you should be able to bring able to bring a bird into the US from Canada without a permit. However…HPAI has changed all that.
For pet birds entering the United States (U.S.) from Canada, the requirements generally include:
- appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) certifications and permits; Usually CITES
- health certificate
- a Veterinary Services (VS) import permit; AND
- an examination at the first U.S. port of entry.
- Federal quarantine is not needed.
Due to a detection of high pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in an exhibition farm in Canada, exports of pet birds will now require an import permit issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a Canadian veterinary health certificate. Any pet birds originating from, or travelling through, the restricted zone will also require a 30 day quarantine in the US. see this list – Detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada – Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Note most of the Vancouver BC area is currently an HPAI zone
A bird is considered a pet for import purposes if it is:
- a personally owned and cared for bird
- a species commonly known as caged birds such as psittacines (birds in the parrot family), song birds, toucans, canaries, finches, cardinals, etc.
The form you need to complete will be available at customs when you arrive.
In the U.S., FWS regulates birds protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA). There are extensive U.S. entry and exit requirements for birds regulated under these laws, so it is critical that you contact FWS to discuss their processes and fees if your bird is regulated by them. To determine your pet bird is regulated by FWS, please visit their website at: http://www.fws.gov/permits/ and review the fact sheet. You may also contact FWS directly at 703-358-2104 or 800-358-2104.
All pet birds entering the U.S. at any port of entry, must have a VS import permit. For all Canadian origin pet birds, you will submit the permit application to the VS National Import Export Services (NIES) Staff in Riverdale, Maryland.
You must apply for a VS import permit approximately 30 days prior to departure. You need to know your route of travel and specify a travel date before applying. The import permit is valid for 30 days from your specified travel date. If your travel plans change and your pet bird will be arriving in the U.S. more than 30 days after the travel date specified on the import permit, you will have to apply for an amended permit or a new permit. Permits can only be amended (for an additional fee) before they expire. Once your permit expires, you will need to submit a new import permit application.
Bird imports from USA to Canada
- the bird must accompany the owner or a member of the immediate family
- the bird must be found to be healthy when inspected at the port of entry
- you must sign a declaration stating that:
- the bird was in your possession for the 90 day period preceding the date of importation and wasn’t in contact with any other birds during that time
- the bird is your personal pet and is not being imported for the purpose of re-sale
- you or any member of your family must not have imported birds into Canada under the pet bird provision in the past 90 days
- if the bird is less than 3 days old, you must declare that:
- you have been in possession of the mother and father for the 90 days preceding the birth of the imported bird
- both the bird’s parents have the same health status
It’s possible an Export Veterinary Certificate may also be required from the United States in cases where there is a disease outbreak.
When there are outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States, the CFIA will restrict the import of some poultry products or by-products from the United States.
The current list of affected states as of 2024-02-15 is:
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wisconsin
The following birds are not considered pets for import purposes:
- pigeons
- doves
- species of wild or domesticated fowl
- game birds
Here at Airborne Animals we have been shipping pets since 1991. We stay current on all the requirements. Birds are the most diffucult pets to ship due to the multi layered permits naviatation. Let us help you sort it out.
Call/email us for a quote today – info@airborneanimals.com