On this page
- Overview
- Standards of identity and grades
- Labelling requirements
- Import requirements for specific egg and processed egg products
- Tariff rate quota and import permits
- Resources
Overview
Importers are responsible for ensuring that they import egg and processed egg products that meet all applicable food safety and consumer protection requirements outlined in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR).
These requirements are for eggs from domestic chickens (Gallusdomesticus) or processed egg products from domestic chickens (Gallusdomesticus) or domestic turkeys (Meleagrisgallopavo). Eggs from other bird species and animals are covered by the general food requirements of these regulations.
The Health of Animals Act restricts the importation of eggs and processed egg products from countries where the presence of animal diseases pose a threat to Canadian agriculture and health. There are certain requirements that must be met to import egg products that carry the risk of introducing exotic avian diseases into Canada. Information on these requirements can be found on the Animal Health Egg Products – Import Procedures page.
Standards of identity and grades
- Canadian Standards of Identity Volume 2, Processed Egg Products
- Canadian Grade Compendium Volume 5, Eggs
- Grade Names for Imported Food (item 2 in the table)
Labelling requirements
- Labelling requirements for shell egg products
- Labelling requirements for processed egg products
- Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods
Import requirements for specific egg and processed egg products
In addition to the general import requirements the following conditions relate to imported eggs and processed egg products:
- all imported eggs and processed egg products must be accompanied by an official document, signed by the responsible government official in the exporting country, stating that the eggs meet the requirements set out in the SFCR
- imported prepackaged eggs or processed egg products must have a label that says "Product of" followed by the country of origin
- for shelled eggs:
- eggs that were pasteurized in shell must have been graded A before pasteurization
- grade C, Grade nest run or ungraded eggs must be delivered to an establishment where eggs are processed and treated by a licence holder
- imported ungraded egg must be packaged in a container that is labelled with the expression "Ungraded Eggs" or "oeufs non classifies"
Tariff rate quota and import permits
Eggs and processed egg products are one of the many agricultural commodities that are subject to controls under Canada's Export and Imports Permit Act (EIPA). Accordingly, an import permit is required for shipments of eggs and processed egg products to enter Canada. Import permits for shipments of eggs and processed egg products destined to the Canadian market are issued to allocation holders under Canada's tariff rate quota (TRQ) for eggs and processed egg products, which is administered by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Meaning that under the EIPA, a quota holder can import a specific quantity of egg and processed egg products at a lower rate of duty while imports not covered by a quota are subject to higher rates of duty. Please refer to the GAC website regarding Canada's supply-managed tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for more information.