Policy on import (return) to Canada of meat products that were exported from Canada

We have revised the Meat return policy. For details, please refer to the Notice to industry.

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1. Legislative authority

Shipments of edible meat products returned to Canada that were originally exported from Canada are subject to the same controls as any other imported meat shipment. Accordingly, import requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and Regulations (SFCR), the Health of Animals Act (HAA) and Regulations (HAR), the Food and Drug Act (FDA) and Regulations (FDR) apply.

However, the requirements of the SFCA and the SFCR in relation to import do not apply in respect of an edible meat product that is imported after having been exported from Canada if, and only if, the meat product is in its exported condition and if:

  • the import (return) is authorized by a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspector, and
  • the meat product is immediately delivered to an establishment where it is stored and handled in its imported condition by a licence holder and kept in that establishment until a CFIA inspector has completed an inspection on the meat product

As per the section 22 of the SFCR if the 2 above conditions above are not met, the return of the edible meat product will be considered as an import and all requirements under the SFCA and the SFRC in relation to import will apply.

The food products regulated under the sections 25 (a) and (b) of the SFCR are not considered as a meat product. The food being returned to Canada is to be returned to the person who exported it from Canada, if that person holds a licence to export, or to the person who was last in possession of it before its export, from among the persons who manufactured, processed, treated, preserved, graded, packaged or labelled it.

2. Returned meat product shipments exported from Canada

A shipment of meat products is considered exported when it has physically left the country, even if it did not reach the country of destination.

This policy applies to meat products shipments returned from all destinations. For operational procedures, please refer to Operational Procedure: Return (import) of exported meat products from the United States, pending the results of US laboratory analysis and Operational procedure: Processing applications for the import (return) of edible meat products that were exported from Canada.

For returns from all countries other than the United States (US), the meat products shipments must have remained under official government control (supervision) at all times while outside of Canada, regardless of the reason why the shipment is being returned. The shipment cannot have been released from official control to the importer or market in the destination country (except for the US).

Examples of meat products shipments under control:

  • shipment remained on the vessel
  • shipment remained in the port, at the border or in the airport (custom control)

For the US returns, a meat product shipment may be authorized to return to Canada even if it has left the port, border or airport and has not remained under government control. Certain requirements may be applicable for those returns, see section 6 – Return of customer refusals / voluntary returns (passed Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection) (US returns only) for more details.

Reasons for the return may include, but are not limited to:

  • customer refusal
  • changes in market conditions
  • voluntary return
  • animal disease outbreak in Canada
  • refusal by foreign competent authority due to non – compliance
  • recall by the exporter

The applicant must meet the following requirements before initiating the process to return an exported meat product shipment to Canada:

  • the applicant must be the consignor/exporter on the CFIA official export meat inspection certificate that the shipment was exported on. If not, the application will be automatically denied
    Note: Any variation to this scenario will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by CFIA.
  • the product type being imported must be the same product type that was exported. If not the application will be automatically denied
    Note: If the size of the shipment has decreased, the applicant must provide an explanation (refer to section 5 of the Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980)
  • only sealed conveyances (for example container, truck) exported from Canada to a country other than US are eligible to be considered by CFIA for return. To be considered by CFIA for a return, the meat products shipment must:
    • has been exported with a CFIA or a company seal which is documented on the Official Meat Inspection Certificate (OMIC)
    • be returned with the seal documented on the OMIC or with a seal applied by a competent authority in a foreign country
    • be subjected to an examination of the seal at the first port of entry conducted by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector
      • if the seal number on the conveyance is different from the seal number documented on the authorization and/or on the animal health import permit, the release may be denied. The importer may provide a detailed explanation to CFIA for review.

The following meat product shipments will not be considered for return:

  • Canadian meat products that have left official government control in countries other than the US
  • Canadian meat products that have left the US official government control (for example, goods that have entered the US retail market), and which are not in the original state as exported, or in the original intact, sealed, clean and undamaged shipping cartons

The following meat product shipments qualify for return:

  • Canadian meat products that have remained under official government control in countries other than the US
  • Canadian meat products that have left the US official government control and entered the US retail market could be considered for return provided they are in the original state as exported, sealed, clean and in undamaged shipping cartons

In this policy, the term sealed/sealing means:

  • sealing must be such that a container cannot be opened without breaking the seal on container (seal) or destroying the tape or strap or sticker on shipping containers (tamper-resistant sealed)
  • type of the meat product that reduces the risk of introducing animal disease or fraud
    • prepacked ready-to-eat meat product (for example: cans, pizzas, sandwiches)

3. Application process for meat product return shipments

This table provides a summary of the five steps process to be followed by the applicant in order to return an exported meat product shipment to Canada.

Step Action Meat product shipment returning from country other than the US Meat product shipment from the US SFCR Section 25 (a) and (b) products returning from a country other than the US SFCR Section 25 (a) and (b) products returning from the US
Step 1 Obtain authorization (CFIA/ACIA 5980) from the CFIA to return the meat product shipment before arrival in Canada Required Required Not required Not required
Step 2 Obtain an animal health import permit (CFIA/ACIA 5859) before arrival in Canada Required Not required Required Not required
Step 3 Submit the documentation to the National Import Service Center (NISC) before arrival in Canada Required Required Required Required
Step 4 Seal examination at the first port of entry in Canada Required Not required Required Not required
Step 5 Deliver the returned meat product shipment to an establishment where it must be stored and handled in its imported condition by a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence holder until the CFIA inspection Required Required Not required Not required

As per the provisions of section 22 of the SFCR, steps 1 and 5 are not required for the return of section 25 (a) and (b) products. For more details, see section 4 – Return of SFCR section 25 products.

Canadian meat products (other than SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products) cannot be returned to Canada until all applicable/required documents are reviewed and approved by the AOS where the OMIC was issued at the time of export (for all destinations) and an animal health import permit is issued by the NCP (for countries other than US). SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products cannot be returned to Canada until an animal health import permit is issued by the NCP (for countries other than US).

Step 1 – Obtain authorization from the CFIA to return the meat product shipment before arrival in Canada

To return a meat product shipment to Canada, the applicant must obtain authorization from the CFIA area operational specialist (AOS) for all returned meat products. In order to obtain the authorization, the applicant must provide the documents required depending on the country where the meat product shipment is located at the moment the request is presented to the AOS. This step does not apply for SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products.

The table provides details about the required documents to obtain the authorization from the AOS.

Required documents Meat shipment returning from a country other than the US Meat shipment returning from the US
Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980) – for CFIA review and approval Required Required
Copy of the OMIC (copy of CFIA/ACIA 1454 or other) issued at the time of export Required Required
Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority If applicable Not required
Letter of guarantee from the exporter/applicant explaining the reasons why the meat product did not remain under official government supervision (US only) Not required If applicable
Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods Subject to CBP Inspection and Permit (CBP form 7512) (for shipments returning from Mexico or any other country with seals changed by the US Customs Border Protection (CBP)) If applicable Not required
Refused Entry Notification (FSIS form 9840-3) Not required If applicable*
Official Receipt for Samples of Foreign Products Collected for Laboratory Analysis (FSIS form 9770-1) Not required If applicable**

*will be required if the Canadian meat product shipment is refused entry into the US
**will be required if the Canadian meat product shipment has been sampled by FSIS

The applicant must send a completed Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980) along with supporting documents as mentioned in table, by email to the CFIA area office where the OMIC was issued to be reviewed by the AOS:

The email subject line should be:

  • Urgent: Return of Canadian meat product exported under the certificate (OMIC number) from establishment (number) to (country), presently located in (city), (country)

Any foreign official government document presented to the AOS in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by an official government translation in either French or English.

All the applicable steps of this policy must be completed for a final decision to be rendered. Just obtaining the authorization to return the meat product to Canada from the AOS does not mean the application to return a meat product shipment is approved.

Step 2 – Obtain an animal health import permit before arrival in Canada to return the meat product shipment from countries other than the US

An animal health import permit is required for all meat product shipments returning from all countries other than the US, including SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products.

The applicant must obtain an animal health import permit prior the return of the shipment to Canada. For meat products requiring authorization, the application and documentation package must be approved by the AOS before an animal health import permit can be issued.

In order to obtain an animal health import permit, the applicant must complete an Application for Permit to Import Animal Products and By-Products (CFIA/ACIA 5859).

The applicant must send all relevant documentation including the approved authorization form where required (refer to Step 1) and the completed Application for Permit to Import Animal Products and By-Products (CFIA/ACIA 5859) to the National Centre for Permissions (NCP) by submitting it online through My CFIA portal.

Note: The applicant submitting the application for an animal health permit to import must be a Canadian citizen/company.

Important

The animal health import permit must be issued before the arrival of the shipment in Canada.

Each import permit application submitted will be examined by CFIA to determine if an animal health import permit is required or not. If the examination concluded that an animal health import permit is require, a valid animal health import permit will be delivered.

Submitting an Application for Permit to Import Animal Products and By-Products does not guarantee than an import permit will be delivered. The request might be denied.

Step 3 – Submit the documentation package to the NISC before arrival of the shipment

This step applies to all meat products returning to Canada including products under section 25 (a) and (b) of the SFCR. The applicant must submit the required documents listed in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to the NISC before the arrival of the meat product shipment in Canada and to Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) as per regular clearance procedures.

  • For meat product shipment returning from countries other than the US, the applicant must submit all required documents listed in AIRS and the completed form Request for Documentation Review (CFIA/ACIA 5272) by email (preferred method) or facsimile.
  • For meat product shipment returning from US, the applicant must declare the meat product returned using the Integrated Import Declaration (IID)

Step 4 – Examination of the seal at the first port of entry

This step applies to all meat products returning to Canada including products under section 25 (a) and (b) of the SFCR. As per the animal health import permit, a seal verification on the returned meat product shipment is required. The seal must be verified at the first port of entry in Canada (for example the port or land crossing).

The seal on the conveyance will be examined by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector at the first port of entry (for example the port or land crossing). If the seal on the conveyance corresponds to the seal number captured on the OMIC or in the official declaration of the foreign competent authority (in the case that the original seal has been broken and a new seal has been applied under their supervision), the conveyance can be released and authorized to move inland.

The examination of the seal at the first port of entry does not apply for meat product shipments returning from the US. If a seal is applied on the conveyance, the examination will be conducted at the establishment selected for inspection.

Note: The applicant must inform the AOS by email that an animal health import permit has been issued for the meat product shipment to be returned and the applicant must attach a copy of the animal health import permit.

Step 5 – Delivering the meat product shipment to a SFC license holder for inspection

This step applies to all meat products returning to Canada except products under section 25 (a) and (b) of the SFCR.

The returned meat product shipment must be immediately delivered to an inspection facility holding a SFC license to store and handle the meat product in its imported condition and store in it until the inspection has been completed by a CFIA inspector. The licence holder must have the facilities, the space and the equipment to perform an inspection and maintain the safety of the product.

The licensed inspection facility cannot break the seal on the conveyance (for example container, truck) if the seal number is different than the seal number captured on the OMIC or on the official declaration of the foreign authority if the original seal has been broken and replaced. If the seal is different, the licence holder must inform the CFIA inspector in charge of the inspection facility.

The returning shipments that have been refused by the foreign competent authority for non-compliance (for example for processing defects) should be put under detention after the inspection and ideally return to the processing establishment listed on the CFIA export certificate to be reprocessed. The detention will be lifted only when the meat products are brought into compliance and found satisfactory by the CFIA inspector.

4. Return of SFCR section 25 products

The products covered by paragraphs 25 (a) and (b) of the SFCR are not considered to be meat products and they do not have to meet the requirements set out in section 22 of the SFCR. The return of a SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products does not have to be authorized by an inspector (Step 1) and the shipment does not have to be immediately delivered to an establishment where it is stored and handled in its imported condition by a licence holder and kept in that establishment until the inspector has completed the inspection on the returned shipment (Step 5).

The applicant must meet the following requirements before initiating the process to return an exported SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products to Canada:

  • the product type being imported must be the same product type that was exported. If not the application will be automatically denied
  • only sealed conveyances (for example container, truck) exported from Canada to a country other than US are eligible to be considered by CFIA for return. To be considered by CFIA for a return, the meat products shipment must:
    • have been exported with a CFIA or a company seal which is documented on the OMIC
    • be returned with the seal documented on the OMIC or with a seal applied by a competent authority in a foreign country
      • if the seal has been broken by a foreign competent authority, then the applicant must provide a Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority from the competent authority. If not the return will be denied.
    • be subjected to an examination of the seal at the first port of entry conducted by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector. If the seal on the conveyance is different from the seal number documented on the authorization and/or on the animal health import permit, the release may be denied. The applicant may provide a detailed explanation to CFIA for review.

The applicant must apply for an animal health import permit to return the shipment from countries other than the US. See Step 2 for more details on how to apply.

The applicant must send all relevant documentation to the NCP by submitting it online through My CFIA portal.

  • copy of the OMIC (Copy of CFIA/ACIA 1454 or other) issued (required)
  • completed Application for Permit to Import Animal Products and By-Products (CFIA/ACIA 5859) (required for all countries other than US)
  • Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority (if applicable)
  • Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods Subject to CBP Inspection and Permit (CBP form 7512) (for shipments returning from Mexico or any other country with seals changed by the US CBP) (if applicable)
  • letter of guarantee from the exporter/applicant explaining the reasons why the meat product did not remain under official government supervision (US only)
  • Refused Entry Notification (FSIS form 9840-3) if the meat product has been refused entry into the US (US only) (if applicable)

The applicant must submit the documentation package to the NISC (Step 3) before the arrival of the shipment in Canada.

A seal verification is still required as per the animal health import permit for all meat product shipments (including SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products) returning from countries other than the US. The seal on the conveyance will be examined by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector at the first port of entry (Step 4). The conveyance will be released if the seal number on the conveyance corresponds to the seal number captured in the animal health import permit. For SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products shipment returning for the US, the seal examination is not required.

5. Return of a meat product shipment refused entry by a foreign competent authority

The applicant must follow Section 3 – Application process for meat product return shipments.

Meat products returned because of failure to meet requirements of the foreign country or defects found during the inspection shall not be sold, distributed or re-exported unless the product has been reconditioned and/or reprocessed and subsequently packaged and labelled to the satisfaction of the CFIA inspector.

The conveyance of such meat product shipment should be sealed by the foreign competent authority and the seal number must be captured on the Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980) and the applicant must provide a Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority from the competent authority. This step does not apply to returns of SFCR section 25 (a) and (b) products.

For returning a refused entry meat product shipment from the US, the applicant must include the FSIS form Refused Entry Notification (FSIS form 9840-3) in the supporting documents with the completed Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980) to the AOS for review and approval (Step 1).

Note: A confirmation of the return of the shipment can be provided at the request of the foreign competent authority once the shipment arrives in Canada.

6. Return of customer refusals / voluntary returns (passed FSIS inspection) (US returns only)

The applicant must follow Section 3   Application process for meat product return shipments.

Only meat product shipments exported to the US can be returned following a customer refusal or returned voluntarily after being inspected and released by the FSIS.

When the FSIS cannot certify that the product has been under their continuous supervision while in the US, a written guarantee letter must be provided by the applicant and stating:

  • the product is not condemned in the US;
  • the product is in its original, fully marked containers; and
  • the immediate product containers do not show any evidence of deterioration or temperature abuse.

The guarantee letter must be provided with other required documents to the AOS to be reviewed and authorized prior to the return (see section 3 for the application process and other documents required).

7. Return of a lot of meat product sampled by the FSIS (US returns only)

The applicant must follow Section 3 – Application process for meat product return shipments.

The applicant must send a completed Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980) along with supporting documents as mentioned in the table under the Step 1, by email to the CFIA area office where the OMIC was issued to be reviewed by the AOS (see Step 1 for details). The documentation package to be sent to the AOS must include the Official Receipt for Samples of Foreign Products Collected for Laboratory Analysis (FSIS form 9770-1).

For all meat products returning after sampling by the FSIS, the conveyance must be sealed and the seal number will be captured on the Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980).

FSIS will only allow the return of a meat product sampled for laboratory analysis under the following conditions:

  • the product is fresh, not frozen, and packaged in a manner that will compromise the quality of the product (for example: open combos, not vacuum packed) if held in the US pending reporting the result of the laboratory analysis
  • the sampling is assigned at the normal level of inspection (for example not sampled at intensified level of inspection)
  • a copy of the Application/authorization form to return exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada (CFIA/ACIA 5980) authorized by CFIA area office is presented to the FSIS inspection staff at the inspection establishment where the meat shipment has been sampled and stored

Once the CFIA inspection is completed, the returned meat product must remain under a SFC licence holder's controls (for example a licence for meat inspection, processing, export). The returned meat product must not be divided into multiple lots (the returned lot must remain intact) and must not be released into commerce until acceptable laboratory results are received from FSIS. The options for the management of the shipment pending receipt of the acceptable results from FSIS are outlined below:

  • the returned meat product may be stored as fresh/frozen or can be frozen at the inspection establishment selected by the applicant, or
  • the returned meat product can be processed in an establishment of a SFC licence holder, if the licence includes processing activities. The processing establishment may be the one documented on the OMIC or it may be any other processing establishment of a SFC licence holder to process meat products

Regardless of the option selected by the applicant for product that has returned to Canada, FSIS requires that CFIA maintain official control of the product, including any that is further processed in Canada, until the FSIS laboratory results are received. When satisfactory lab results are received the shipment may be released.

In order to maintain official control of the product, it is the SFC licence holder's responsibility to develop, implement and maintain effective written procedures in their preventive control plan (PCP) to prevent further distribution before FSIS has provided acceptable laboratory test results. The written procedures must be reviewed and found acceptable by a CFIA inspector prior to the request to return the product. The following minimum components must be included in the licence holder's PCP:

Possible scenarios on the meat products shipment while waiting the FSIS laboratory results Components to include in the SFC licence holder's PCP
To store the meat products Segregation procedures to follow during the storage
  • The meat product must be clearly identified, put on hold and be isolated in a designated storage area until receipt of FSIS laboratory test results
To process the meat products Traceability and segregation procedures
  • Method to trace the product during the processing steps
  • Segregation procedures to follow during the storage of the meat products, the processing and the storage of the finished products
To ship the meat products to another SFC licence holder (establishment) for further processing or storage The control procedures at the shipping step
  • The name and establishment number of the receiving establishment must be provided to the CFIA before shipping. The receiving establishment must meet the same requirements as described above

The table provides actions to be taken on the FSIS sampled meat product depending on the laboratory results provided by the FSIS.

Laboratory results (FSIS reports) Actions on the sampled meat product
Positive or unsatisfactory results
(Failed the tests)

The meat product would not meet the importing country's requirements and would be ineligible for re-export to the US, regardless of the options chosen.

The CFIA must provide FSIS with written assurances that all product is accounted for and will not be re-exported to the US.

The meat product will be subjected to a case-by-case assessment to evaluate the risk of the non-compliance.
Negative results

The meat product can be re-exported or processed and released into Canadian commerce.

If the meat product will be re-exported, then it must be recertified for export. The meat product may be exported to the US or any other country of destination. The CFIA will verify that import conditions of the country of destination are met and issue a certificate in accordance with established procedures.

8. Possible scenarios surrounding the return of meat product shipments

Scenario Background CFIA requirements Decisions
A Shipment was in transit, did not reach country of destination or other foreign soil. The original seals are intact
or
Shipment has arrived at a port of transit but has not entered the official control of the competent authority. The original seals are intact
  • The original seal listed on the OMIC when the shipment left Canada must still be intact and on the conveyance
  • CFIA must authorize the return and issue an animal health import permit (if required) before the shipment can be returned to Canada. The seal number will be captured on the authorization form and on the animal health import permit (if required)
  • For shipment returning from countries other than US, the seal and container numbers will be verified at the first port of entry into Canada by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector. This must be done before the release of the conveyance by CBSA
  • For shipment returning from US, the seal number will be verified (if needed) at the establishment holding a licence to store and handle the meat product until its inspection
  • Return will be only authorized if:
    • documentation supplied is complete, correct and to the satisfaction of the AOS, and
    • an animal health import permit has been obtained before the arrival of the meat product shipment to Canada (if required)
  • If original seal is missing or broken (in the foreign country or at the arrival), shipment will be refused entry into Canada and a notice to remove will be issued
  • For shipment returning from the US, a case-by-case assessment will be conducted from the CFIA area office
B Shipment entered the control of a competent authority on arrival on foreign soil, was refused and remained at point of entry under official control (customs, agriculture). The original seals are intact
  • For shipment returning from countries other than US, submit the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority
  • For shipment returning from the US, submit the FSIS form Refused Entry Notification (FSIS form 9840-3) (if required)
  • CFIA must authorize the return and issue an animal health import permit (if required) before the shipment can be returned to Canada. The seal number will be captured on the authorization form and on the animal health import permit (if required)
  • For shipment returning from countries other than US, the seal and container numbers will be verified at the first port of entry into Canada by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector. This must be done before the release of the conveyance by CBSA
  • For shipment returning from the US, the seal number will be verified (if needed) at the establishment holding a licence to store and handle the meat product until its inspection
  • Return will be only authorized if:
    • documentation supplied is complete, correct and to the satisfaction of the AOS, and
    • an animal health import permit has been obtained before the arrival of the meat product shipment to Canada (if required)
  • Authorization to return will be based on information provided on the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority
  • In the absence of the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority containing the same information, the shipment will be refused
  • If original seal is missing or broken (in the foreign country or at the arrival), shipment will be refused entry into Canada and a notice to remove or destroy will be issued
  • For shipment returning from the US, a case-by-case assessment will be conducted from the CFIA area office
C Seal was broken by a competent authority or a third party officially recognized by the competent authority at port of transit and/or at destination and a new seal has been applied.
  • For shipment returning from countries other than US, submit the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority
  • If CBSA breaks and applies a new seal, the seal number must be identified on CBSA official document
  • If CBP breaks and applies new the seal in the US, the seals must be identified on the form Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods Subject to CBP Inspection and Permit (CBP form 7512)
  • If multiple seal changes have occurred, official documentation must be provided for each change.
  • CFIA must authorize the return and issue an animal health import permit (if required) before the shipment can be returned to Canada. The seal number will be captured on the authorization form and on the animal health import permit (if required)
  • For shipment returning from countries other than US, the seal and container numbers will be verified at the first port of entry into Canada by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector. This must be done before the release of the conveyance by CBSA
  • For shipment returning from the US, the seal number will be verified (if needed) at the establishment holding a licence to store and handle the meat product until its inspection
  • Return will be only authorized if:
    • documentation supplied is complete, correct and to the satisfaction of the AOS, and
    • an animal health import permit has been obtained before the arrival of the meat product shipment to Canada (if required)
  • Authorization to return will be based on information provided on the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority
  • In the absence of the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority, the shipment will be refused
  • If the seal is missing or broken or does not match with the seal applied by the foreign competent authority, shipment will be refused entry into Canada and a notice to remove will be issued
  • For shipment returning from the US, a case-by-case assessment will be conducted from the CFIA area office
D Shipment left point of entry in foreign country and was refused at receiving establishment. Shipment remained under official control of importing country at all times. If seal changes occurred, they are documented as per scenario C above
  • Shipment remained under official control of importing country at all times
  • Consideration to authorize a return under this provision will only be given to Canadian meat and /or meat products that are in their original sealed and undamaged packaging. Any packaging that has been opened (for example, for sampling) must have occurred under the control of, or by, the foreign competent authority of the re-exporting country and documented accordingly
  • For shipment returning from countries other than US, submit the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority
  • CFIA must authorize the return and issue an animal health import permit (if required) before the shipment can be returned to Canada. The seal number will be captured on the authorization form and on the animal health import permit (if required)
  • For shipment returning from countries other than US, the seal and container numbers will be verified at the first port of entry into Canada by a CBSA officer or a CFIA inspector. This must be done before the release of the conveyance by CBSA
  • For shipment returning from the US, the seal number will be verified (if needed) at the establishment holding a licence to store and handle the meat product until its inspection
  • Return will be only authorized if:
    • documentation supplied is complete, correct and to the satisfaction of the AOS, and
    • an animal health import permit has been obtained before the arrival of the meat product shipment to Canada (if required)
  • CFIA decides based on the container and seal condition and on the Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada or any official declaration form provided by the foreign competent authority
  • If the seal is missing or broken or does not match with the seal applied by the foreign competent authority, shipment will be refused entry into Canada and a notice to remove will be issued
  • For shipment returning from the US, a case-by-case assessment will be conducted from the CFIA area office
E Any other scenario not described above Case-by-Case Case-by-Case
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