There are only two types of border crossings-successful or unsuccessful, as anyone who has ever argued with a customs official well knows. The rules are simple and proper preparations are essential. If your documents are in order and correct procedure is followed, you will have no problems at either border.

Every horse crossing the US/ Canada border must have a current Coggins and Health Certificate. Plan ahead - these documents take time to complete.

1) Coggins Test

• A blood sample must be taken and a Coggins for (EIA Serum test report) filled out by an accredited veterinarian. Tests are run at 11:00AM Monday through Saturday. Results are available 28 hours later, at which time a Coggins certificate is issued. The Coggins certificate is delivered back to our office the following day. Because of delivery times and potential delays please allow 3 working days.
• Coggins certificates are valid for 6 months from the date that the blood sample was taken.

2) Health Certificate

• For export, to be filled out in conjunction with a current Coggins certificate by a veterinarian.
• If a Coggins has just been taken, it must be back in the hands of the veterinarian before a Health Certificate can be issued.
• Must be signed by a Department of Agriculture Veterinarian prior to shipping.
• The health certificate is valid for 30 calendar days from the date of issue and multiple crossings can be made with the same certificate within this 30 day period.

Border crossings with livestock fall into two basic categories depending on the length of stay outside the country of origin.

Less than 30 days:
1) Documentation

• Negative Coggins certificate
• Signed Health certificate

2) Procedure (Canada to US)

• Go to US Border/any lane
• Give documentation to customs officer, stating that intended duration of animals stay outside Canada is less than 30 days.
• Within 30 days return to Canadian border (no inspection is required)

More than 30 days:

The horse must be presented to the US veterinarian for inspection when entering the US and the Canadian veterinarian when entering Canada.

1) Documentation

• Negative Coggins certificate
• Signed Health certificate

2) Procedure (Canada to US Crossing)

• Go to US Border Customs office to clear immigration
• Proceed to US Veterinary Inspection Station with documentation during hours outlined below.
• Border Vet will examine horses and verify their identification (warts and/or girth disease may be a problem as may excessive uncleanness in your trailer).
• Health certificate will be stamped by vet and returned to you.
• Proceed out of compound

When returning to Canada after an absence of more than thirty days a new health certificate issued by an American veterinarian is required.

Permanent Entry:
Documentation

• Negative Coggins certificate
• Signed Health certificate

3) Procedure

• Veterinary examination is required as for entry over 30 days

The procedure for US to Canada crossings is the same as above except that you should start at the Canada Customs Office on the agricultural side.

Canadian Veterinarian (for US to Canada crossings or for signing of health papers)

• 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 p.m. top 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (Pacific Border Crossing at 176th St.)

US veterinarian (for Canada to US crossings)

• 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (Sumas Crossing)

Hours of operation for both the Canadian and American Border veterinarians are subject to change and it is therefore advisable to call ahead to confirm these times. Some border crossings will also examine horses by appointment outside of office hours or on weekends, however, there is a fee for this service.

Agriculture Canada:

• Pacific Border Crossing (604) 541-3364
• Sumas Border Crossing (604) 854-8034

US Veterinary Inspection Station:

• Sumas (360) 988-5715

Both Canada and the United States now have a users fee for crossing the border with horses. Agriculture Canada charges for the service of signing health papers. This is billed directly to the issuing veterinarian and is included in the cost of your health certificate.

The US Veterinary Inspection Station collects this fee at the border.

Hang on to your Coggins Certificate! It is the only valid copy of the document that is acceptable at all border crossings.

Happy traveling and remember - you will rarely win an argument with a customs official. It is much easier to be properly prepared