Colombia – Export requirements for milk and dairy products

1. Eligible/ineligible product

1.1 Eligible

All dairy products. However, it is recommended that you work with your importer to confirm this information through the "Health Information System for the Import and Export of Agriculture and Livestock Products" (SISPAP) of the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuarion (ICA).

Examples of dairy products that have already been exported to Colombia (CO) :

cheese (processed cheese, speciality cheese, fresh cheese)
ice cream (dairy based edible ice)
condensed milk
skim milk powder
whey products
products consisting of natural milk constituents
others (for example: lactose and lactose syrup, milk albumin and buttermilk products)

1.2 Ineligible

No information is known regarding ineligible products.

2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country

2.1 Country

Canada is authorized to export dairy products.

2.2 Establishments

Dairy establishments must be under the official oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).

This country maintains a list of approved foreign establishments. Dairy product establishments wishing to export to this country must obtain prior authorization from the Colombian authorities.

The manufacturer must follow the procedure established by the competent authority by submitting an authorization request to the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario. To this end, the foreign facility from which exports will be carried out must be registered in the SISPAP, the platform, which facilitates sanitary procedures related to foreign trade. Refer to the link mentioned in Section 7.

To be on this list, the manufacturer must contact the local CFIA office and provide the following documents:

Completed CFIA form: Request for addition to the Canadian dairy establishments list sent to third countries (accessible only on the Government of Canada network – RDIMS 8225610).
Copy of the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR) licence for food
Completed ICA form: Authorization of milk and dairy product processing establishments (form 3-947). This form must be obtained from the importer to ensure it is the most up-to-date version. ICA applies fees for the approval process, which must be paid directly to the competent authority. The Canadian embassy may be contacted for clarification on the steps involved in the registration process.

The inspector will submit the package to the Food Import Export Division (FIED) following the Operational procedure: Procedure for maintaining food export eligibility lists. FIED will be responsible for forwarding the required documents to the Canadian embassy.

Note: an establishment may commence exports to Colombia once it has received approval from the ICA. All approved establishment may be subject to an on-site audit conducted by the competent Colombian authorities.

Furthermore, the registration of establishments is subject to a validity period and the manufacturer is required to keep the information provided to the Colombian authorities up to date. The exporter must also ensure that the information regarding the establishment on the health certificate issued by the CFIA fully match the information provided to the Colombian authorities. The list of approved establishments is available at the link Consulta Fincas O Establecimientos Registrados (in Spanish only).

2.3 Products

Product registration may be required at the same time as the establishment's approval. It will also be necessary to indicate the animal species from which the milk used to manufacture the product originates (for example: bovine, ovine, caprine). The exporter must work with the importer to verify this requirement. See the link in Section 7 regarding the platform to facilitate sanitary procedures related to foreign trade.

2.4 Import permit

An import permit may be required. The exporter must work with the importer to verify this requirement.

3. Product specifications

No information is known regarding product specifications. Microbiological requirements and maximum residue limits in Colombia may differ from those in Canada. Failure to comply with these standards could result in a shipment being rejected at the border control port.

4. Production controls and inspection requirements

The manufacturer must be aware of the standards and requirements of the importing country. An export control plan (ECP) must be in place to demonstrate that your products meet the requirements of the importing country.

Manufacturer's declaration

All export requests for milk and dairy products must be accompanied by a Manufacturer's declaration completed and signed by an authorized person of the food manufacturing establishment/facility
To request a template of the Manufacturer's Declaration (accessible only on the Government of Canada network – RDIMS 15576674), contact your local CFIA office
The product(s) must be clearly identified on the manufacturer's declaration and match exactly the product(s) that are part of the export shipment

The exporter is responsible for demonstrating that the manufacturer complies with the minimum time, temperature, or ripening requirements mentioned in Statement 4. This information must be recorded in the duly completed manufacturer's declaration. Supporting documents may also be attached to the export request. Below applicable treatments:

Ultra-Hight Temperature (UHT) pasteurization at a minimum temperature of 132°C for at least one second
High Temperature Short Time (HTST) pasteurization at a minimum of 72°C for at least 15 seconds if the pH is below 7
Double HTST pasteurization applied consecutively if the pH is equal to or greater than 7
Low Temperature Long Time (LTLT) pasteurization at a minimum of 63°C for at least 30 minutes
Ripening for at least 60 days at a temperature equal to or above 2°C

Note: Inspectors will verify that the manufacturer's declaration is completed appropriately and reserve the right to request any other information that they think is necessary for the final certification of the product.

Certification requirements

The health certificate CFIA/ACIA FA1008 contains animal health and public health requirements.

Animal health attestations

The animal health attestation (statement 1) in the health certificate CFIA/ACIA 5813 is met based on Canadian and Colombian regulations. In Canada, diseases such as foot and mouth disease, and rinderpest are reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act.

Public health attestations

The public health attestations (statements 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) of the CFIA/ACIA FA1008 sanitary certificate are met based on Canadian and Colombian regulations.

Dairy products manufactured in Canada and intended for the Columbian market are also subject to pasteurization or any combination of control measures with equivalent level of performance, in accordance with the recommendations of World Organization for Animal Health and/or as indicated in the Codex Alimentarius Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and Milk Products.

5. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

It is the exporter's responsibility to meet all labelling, packaging and marking requirements of the importing country.

The Colombian government has specific requirements for milk powder (skim milk powder, part skim milk powder and whole milk powder):

commercial name of the milk and its type
country of origin
production date and/or batch production number
date of expiration, which has to be greater than 12 months after the time it arrives in Colombia
storage recommendations
gross and net contents expressed in grams or kilograms
production date or batch number and expiry date must be printed on the original packaging in Canada. The use of stickers is prohibited.

6. Documentation requirements

Canada does have a negotiated certificate with Colombia. Requests for any additional statements must be confirmed by CFIA's Food Import Export Division (FIED).

Certificate

Health certificate for export of milk and dairy products from Canada to Colombia (CFIA/ACIA FA1008)

Note

The health certificate is signed by the CFIA official veterinarian and official inspector
The health certificate is written in three languages: Spanish, English and French.
Export certificates cannot be issued for products that have left Canada

7. Other information

Exported products transiting through a country may require transit documentation. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the shipment will be accompanied by all necessary certificates. Work closely with your importer.

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