Puppy from US to Ontario

Hey guys,

I have the opportunity to get a puppy from a breeder in the US in 8 weeks. Neither I or the breeder have a passport (though she was certain she could get one quickly and I don’t know how fast I’d get one here in Canada)...she was thinking possibly flying into Toronto (pup in crate in cabin under seat) or driving to Buffalo and either crossing into Canada or me crossing into US through Buffalo.

Anyone have any experience with either possible situation - a fly in from US to Can, pick up US dog in Can at border or pick up dog in US at border and then cross right back over to Can?

What fees (hst or taxes or duties am I looking at potentially getting hit with? Do I have to call anywhere to make arrangements?
What paperwork do I need in place?
The breeder had never done this either and she refuses to fly the pup as cargo by itsself.

Any help appreciated!

This may shed some light ....
http://inspection.gc.ca/animals/terr.../1331876307796

I bought my Brittany from a Pennsylvania breeder. I needed certificate of proof of health from the vet and I paid HST on entry. Don't try and scam them they will actually look for prices on websites. As for passports only the Feds can answer that one.

Declare it upon re entry into Canada and have a bill of sale for the dog. Sometimes you pay duty and sometimes you don't it just depends on the officer. I can't remember if you need a health certificate or not . I seem to think I didn't on the last pup and it wasn't an issue but if you can get as much paperwork as possible it never hurts.
If you cross into Buffalo use the 405 and cross at the peace bridge.
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As others have said you will need a bill of sale to pay duty, no other paperwork is required for a puppy/dog under 3 months old. If the pup was older than 3 months then you would need a rabies vaccine certificate for entry into Canada.

Get your passport application filled out.

Have every one of your references waiting by the phone so they can answer on the first call.

Be at the passport office "FIRST THING" in the morning. Tell them you need the passport today for a trip to the States. It will cost you more but if you have your ducks in a row, you walk in that morning and walk out with the passport the same day.

Try and get a nice picture to use. I can not believe how many passport pictures I see that look like the person slept in their clothes for a week and forgot to bathe.

Dress business casual, and don't smile..

Good luck.

P.S. Remember some times "I'm from Government, and I am here to help you" is true.

Taken from https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...-residents-%2F

By Land and Sea (including ferries) - Canadian citizens traveling to the U.S. by land or sea are required to present one of the travel documents listed below, and may generally visit the U.S. for up to six months. CBP will accept: Canadian passport, Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card, NEXUS, FAST/EXPRES and SENTRI enrollment cards

You can get a passport expedited within a day if you pay extra. Or fly the dog in.

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Originally Posted by Cass

You can get a passport expedited within a day if you pay extra. Or fly the dog in.

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Do not fly the dog in. It will likely be left on the tarmac with the rest if the luggage, and if it does not die of exposure, being exposed to 120db+ sound next to the aircraft for a couple hours will make it deafer then a post.

People fly dogs places all the time.

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The bigger issue with flying the dog right now is many of the airlines that do fly animals as cargo, put flight restrictions on dogs as cargo due to temperatures during the summer months. To fly the pup back with you onboard, check the airline to ensure that they will allow the pup as carry on.

I picked my Lab up in Michigan and brought it back. My 2 girls were in the back seat holding the pup. The officer waved me through no questions asked after seeing the smiles on my girls faces!! :)

If you know someone with a passport have them go get the pup for you. Worst case is you will have to pay the tax. Most border guards will just waive you through..

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Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

I picked my Lab up in Michigan and brought it back. My 2 girls were in the back seat holding the pup. The officer waved me through no questions asked after seeing the smiles on my girls faces!! :)

If you know someone with a passport have them go get the pup for you. Worst case is you will have to pay the tax. Most border guards will just waive you through..

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You mean like someone that drives across the border five or six times a week?

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Originally Posted by Snowwalker

You mean like someone that drives across the border five or six times a week?

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Not sure what your asking. I cross the border a few times per month with zero issues & it helps to not have a criminal record... lol

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Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

Not sure what your asking. I cross the border a few times per month with zero issues & it helps to not have a criminal record... lol

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yes like you or I, we know the routine...

Be mindful of the rabies certificate.
I believe they require a rabies shot at 90 days, so you may need proof-; you may need special permit to import a pup that is not immunized.
I certainly know from experience- a CDN dog to the USA requires a unimmunized dog permit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Horridfiber101

Be mindful of the rabies certificate.
I believe they require a rabies shot at 90 days, so you may need proof-; you may need special permit to import a pup that is not immunized.
I certainly know from experience- a CDN dog to the USA requires a unimmunized dog permit.

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Permit? This is the first I am hearing about this... (pup will be under 12 weeks no rabies vacc required).

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Originally Posted by maplevizsla

Permit? This is the first I am hearing about this... (pup will be under 12 weeks no rabies vacc required).

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No permit required for entry into Canada the permit being mentioned is a USA requirement for inbound dogs from Canada.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Horridfiber101

Be mindful of the rabies certificate.
I believe they require a rabies shot at 90 days, so you may need proof-; you may need special permit to import a pup that is not immunized.
I certainly know from experience- a CDN dog to the USA requires a unimmunized dog permit.

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A permit is required for under-aged puppies (no rabies vaccine given) being exported from Canada (or any other country) into the US. Ensure you have a health certificate from the breeder's vet showing the pup is in good health and a receipt for the purchase price.

Hey guys,

Breeder wants to cross over to Canada with puppy....shouldn’t be any issues as long as her paperwork is up to snuff and I prepared her she may need to pay taxes/duties if yellow slipped.

My other question is: Lewiston-Queentson or Peace Bridge.....so many different opinions on why each is better than the other or worse.....but my question is - or suggestions very welcomed....
Where should we meet each other?
Once across....where should she go to meet us (either crossing).....
I had suggested at Peace to meet at the duty-free shopping centre but can I even get in there if I have no intention of crossing anywhere and can she get to it if she is entering into Canada to ‘the left side’ per map.
Or at Lewiston-Queenston...anywhere to meet once she is out and cleared?

I always prefer to cross queenston/lewiston. You can meet at the basspro at Niagara on the lake just off the 405 in Ontario or there is a husky truck stop around the corner.

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How far of a drive is that from the border? 20 minutes?

You will have to enter the us if you go into the duty free. She can not access coming into canada.

If she crosses at the peace bridge, there is a Flying J truckstop at exit five(5), and it is easier to find then the Husky. From the Flying J she only has to go 5 Km to get back to Buffalo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maplevizsla

How far of a drive is that from the border? 20 minutes?

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12 minutes And around 12km.
And safer then the truck stops.
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Is the Flying J travel centre accessible from either side of the QEW?
I’ll be coming from TO and she would be crossing from Buffalo so once she is out of the border agency does she jump on the QEW eastbound and get off at Gilmore Rd (I assume that is an exit?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snowwalker

You will have to enter the us if you go into the duty free. She can not access coming into canada.

If she crosses at the peace bridge, there is a Flying J truckstop at exit five(5), and it is easier to find then the Husky. From the Flying J she only has to go 5 Km to get back to Buffalo.

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I see that now on a map. Exit 5.

Why can she not back track into the canadian duty free shopping centre....she will have to turn around in any event to drive back home and cross back into Buffalo?
I have my passport so I could go into that Canadian duty free centre no??? Guess there is no where for me to turn around then and get out and get back on the hwy 405 to TO?

There is a old welcome centre that is now closed (accessible via the 1st exit coming in for the breeder and for you it would be the exit for the Fort Erie race track - Bertie St?) on the CDN side at the Peace Bridge. Met a puppy buyer there in May …. virtually no traffic on the side road and lots of grass to air. And easy for the breeder to turn around and head back into the US.

The duty free on the CDN side would not work for you as at that point you have committed to head into the US.

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Originally Posted by Dakota Creek

There is a old welcome centre that is now closed (accessible via the 1st exit coming in for the breeder and for you it would be the exit for the Fort Erie race track - Bertie St?) on the CDN side at the Peace Bridge. Met a puppy buyer there in May …. virtually no traffic on the side road and lots of grass to air. And easy for the breeder to turn around and head back into the US.

The duty free on the CDN side would not work for you as at that point you have committed to head into the US.

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Thanks for that heads up as another meating option.

Yes that makes sense about duty free place.

—- and it shouldn’t matter ‘who’ is bringing the puppy over...US citizen or CNd...I am the CNd buyer just not the body crossing over and then back, I’m the one staying on Cnd soil.