BRINGING A DOG FROMCanada →to Switzerland

ISO 11784/11785 microchip (HDX or FDX-B) implanted before the rabies vaccination; with another chip type the owner must bring a reader. A readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 is accepted instead.

before the rabies vaccination (and before any titer test)

Inactivated (≥1 IU) or recombinant rabies vaccine, given after the microchip and at 12 weeks of age or older. A primary vaccination is valid from the 21st day after the vaccination protocol is completed; a booster given within the manufacturer's validity period is valid immediately. Validity as stated by the manufacturer and entered in the passport by the vet — otherwise one year.

primary vaccination valid from the 21st day after completing the protocol; no wait after an in-date booster

Pets that cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons need an FSVO exemption permit (form 07/23, at least 3 working days, CHF 60, vet's confirmation not older than one year); the passport and microchip are still required.

Veterinary certificate (EDAV-Ht Annex 4 no. 3 refers to the EU third-country model; the FSVO publishes the 2026/705 Annex III model with the owner's declaration) completed and signed by an official vet of the origin country, or by an authorised vet and endorsed by the competent authority, confirming the valid rabies vaccination and containing the owner's signed declaration that the pet is not imported for a change of owner. For a direct flight it is valid until the check at the Swiss airport, at most 10 days from issue; when entering via the EU, Iceland, Norway or Northern Ireland, the certificate stamped at that entry is accepted instead of a passport for 4 months from issue or until the rabies vaccination expires.

for direct air entry, at most ten days from the issue date (EDAV-Ht Art. 10(4))

The rabies vaccination must be entered in the certificate.

Direct flights from third countries (no full border-veterinary check in the EU/Iceland/Norway/Northern Ireland first) may only land at Zurich, Geneva or Basel. Accompanied pets (cabin or excess baggage) via Basel, Geneva or Zurich; unaccompanied pets (air waybill, cargo) only via Zurich or Geneva. By land: any manned customs office during tourist-traffic hours.

Mandatory entry check: present the pet and documents at the red customs exit (airport) or to the customs officers at a land border; customs records the check in the passport or certificate. Pets with missing documents are refused. Unaccompanied pets go to the airport animal facility and must be proven to have belonged to the owner already in the origin country.

At most five dogs, cats or ferrets per trip; more only with an FSVO permit for temporary stays to attend or train for competitions, shows or sporting events (animals registered for the event and at least six months old), otherwise the commercial import rules apply to all animals. If an authorised person travels with the pet instead of the owner, the owner must travel within five days before or after and a written owner's declaration must accompany the passport.

Dogs with cropped ears or a docked tail are refused at the border. Exceptions: (1) cropped/docked for medical reasons or a naturally short tail — Swiss residents must obtain an FSVO confirmation before import (file at least 3 weeks ahead: photo, passport copy, vet certificate, authority confirmation; X-rays or a gene test for natural bobtails); (2) the dog moves with its owner as household effects (customs relocation conditions); (3) owners living abroad bring the dog for holidays or short stays against a customs deposit. Such dogs may not be shown, advertised or sold in Switzerland.

Puppies under 8 weeks may only enter with their mother or a wet nurse; dogs under 15 weeks may not be imported commercially or for a change of owner.

Enter through a manned customs office during the opening hours for tourist traffic and present the pet with its documents to the officers; not every border crossing admits animals (see the entry points). A pet bought abroad is duty-free but subject to 8.1% VAT on its value — bring the receipt. A pet moving with its owner can be declared as household effects (form 18.44) if it has been owned and used for at least six months.

Pets not declared at the border can only be declared retroactively through the customs Competence Center for Pets (KoHe), at extra cost and with possible prosecution.