Pet Transport from Thailand to Canada: No Titre Test, DLD Certificate

Canada’s import requirements for personal pet dogs and cats from Thailand are managed by the CFIA. The key requirements are: a current rabies vaccination (for dogs aged 3 months or older) on a certificate in English or French identifying the animal and the vaccine’s trade name, serial number and expiry, plus an official health certificate issued by a DLD-authorised official vet in Thailand and endorsed by DLD. No titre test, no quarantine, no import permit for personal pets. Source: CFIA, inspection.canada.ca.

The high-risk list matters for one group in particular. Thailand appears on the CFIA’s list of countries at high risk for dog rabies, and since 28 September 2022 all commercial dogs from those countries have been barred, where commercial includes dogs “given/transferred to another person, resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition and research” in the CFIA’s own words. A soi dog adopted in Bangkok and shipped to a new owner in Toronto is a commercial import and cannot enter. Your own pet, relocating with you, is personal and can.

Thailand’s DLD (Department of Livestock Development) manages live animal exports. The DLD export permit process takes 2-3 weeks. The health certificate is issued by a DLD-authorised official vet and countersigned by DLD. This is different from Vietnam’s process (which does not require a separate export permit) but is less complex than China’s GACC process. Budget 2-3 weeks for the DLD export permit and certificate process, plus the 10-day window for the health certificate itself.

The corridor gained its first nonstop: Air Canada’s Vancouver to Bangkok service became year-round in summer 2026, three times weekly on the 787-9, about 16 hours 25 minutes, and remains the only nonstop between North America and Thailand. Air Canada carries pets as checked baggage and through Air Canada Cargo in general, but published confirmation for this specific ultra-long sector is thin, so verify acceptance with the airline before planning around it.

The proven alternatives connect once: via Taipei Taoyuan on EVA Air (hold carriage, no animals under 4 months) or via Seoul Incheon on Korean Air Cargo, both reaching Vancouver and Toronto. The Hong Kong option changed in September 2025: Cathay Cargo now takes pet bookings only from IPATA members and IATA-accredited agents, so owners cannot book it directly. Confirm live animal acceptance on both legs, allow 6-8 weeks for cargo space, and remember Thai Airways can only ever fly the first leg.

The difference between Canada and EU destinations for Thailand-based owners is significant. Canada: no titre test required, no quarantine, DLD health certificate and current rabies vaccination are sufficient. Total preparation: 8-14 weeks. EU countries (Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain): Thailand is not on the EU Annex II approved third-country list. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory is required, blood draw at least 30 days after final vaccination, mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date. Total preparation: 20-28 weeks.

If you are relocating to Canada, the documentation process is manageable and the timeline is short. If you are relocating to an EU country from Thailand, plan at least 5 months ahead of your intended EU arrival date to allow for the titre test and 90-day wait.