Importing fish and seafood products

Overview

Importers are responsible for ensuring that they import fish and seafood 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).

Certain aquatic animal species from certain countries may be classified as "susceptible" to diseases of concern in Canada and may require an Aquatic Animal Health Import Permit. For more information on susceptible fish and aquatic animal health import requirement refer to Susceptible species of aquatic animals and Aquatic animal imports web pages.

Standards of identity and grades

Imported fish that declare a common name as stated in the Canadian Standards of Identity document must meet the corresponding standard and any grade declarations must be in accordance with the grades set in the Canadian Grade Compendium. Refer to:

Canadian Standards of Identity Volume 3, Fish
Canadian Grade Compendium Volume 8, Fish
Grade Names for Imported Food (items 36-52 in the table)

Labelling requirements

The label of imported prepackaged fish must bear the name of the foreign state of origin in addition to the core labelling requirements outlined in the Industry labelling tool.

Import requirements for specific fish products

Fish products containing meat

Import requirements for specific shellfish products

Only approved species of live or raw (frozen or unfrozen) molluscan shellfish harvested in authorized countries are eligible for import. Further information can be found on the Importing Live and Raw Molluscan Shellfish webpage.

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