How much Pet food can I bring into Canada?
Restricted
You can bring Pet food into Canada only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 20 kilogram (44.09 lb)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Import of pet food, treats and chews containing animal products and by-products Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Questions about Pet food in Canada
- How much pet food can I bring into Canada?
- Canada allows 20 kilograms of pet food per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare pet food at Canada customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 20 kilograms of pet food there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare pet food in Canada?
- Under Memorandum D2-3-1, Tariff item No. 9804.30.00, Note 1, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act, section 124, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed. Under Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the Canada allowance for pet food?
- Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
- Can I post or ship pet food to Canada instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Can I take pet food out of Canada?
- Canada publishes no separate rule for taking pet food out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the Canada limit for pet food apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states it in Import of pet food, treats and chews containing animal products and by-products. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Travellers may bring into Canada a personal import of pet food (limit of 20 kg per animal), if the import meets all the following requirements:”
- How does Canada compare with other countries on pet food?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit pet food, 13 limit it and 6 let it through. Canada is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Import of pet food, treats and chews containing animal products and by-products · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Import of pet food, treats and chews containing animal products and by-products · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Memorandum D2-3-1, Personal Exemptions for Residents Returning to Canada · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Postal Imports Remission Order (SI/85-181) · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Postal Imports Remission Order (SI/85-181) · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Import of pet food, treats and chews containing animal products and by-products · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Import of pet food, treats and chews containing animal products and by-products · verified 2026-09-19