Note
This process applies during an active outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada.
This is a new process for exporting refrigerated and frozen edible food products containing processed egg ingredients to the United States. Effective September 27, 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) will require an import permit and manufacturer's statement for food products containing egg ingredients entering the United States. However, in order to apply for an import permit, you are required to provide all the list of ingredients of animal origin to your US importer or broker.
Please note that this process does not apply when exporting shelf-stable, commercially labeled, packaged food products containing processed egg ingredients to the US. Shelf-stable is a condition used to describe a process applied to products rendering the products free of micro-organisms capable of growing in the products under non-refrigerated conditions. To meet the shelf-stable exemption, the label on the product should not mention that refrigeration or freezing is required. Shipments of such shelf-stable commodities must also be accompanied by documents (for example, foreign government certification, manufacturer statement) to confirm the products meet the criteria to be deemed "shelf-stable".
Note
- This process does not apply to bulk shipments of processed egg products such as liquid eggs, bulk egg powder, and other Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulated products which require certification by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
- CFIA will not be involved in the import permit process. If there is a change to this process, your importer should inform you of the updated requirements. While a company awaits issuance of an import permit by APHIS, as a transitional measure, the CFIA will continue to issue certificates as required and upon request. Certificates should be requested well in advance of export, and during regular business hours. The CFIA will not issue certificates once import permits have been issued to companies exporting these products to the US.
The U.S. importer, customs broker or the freight forwarder that is handling the logistics of uploading/manifesting the shipping documents into the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trade systems called Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will need to apply for the import permit using the Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant (VSPA). In VSPA, select that you cannot obtain certification, which will lead you to eFile to complete the permit application. Please provide a clear materials description including all ingredients of animal origin, and documentation of the pasteurization treatment (time and temperature) applied to the egg ingredients.
The US requires a signed document from the Canadian manufacturer on official company letterhead, attesting to one or more applicable conditions listed below:
The liquid egg ingredient in the exported material was pasteurized at the minimum time and temperature requirements below:
- Albumen (without use of chemicals): 56.6°C for 3.5 minutes OR 55.5°C for 6.2 minutes
- Whole egg: 60°C for 3.5 minutes
- Whole egg blends (less than 2% added nonegg ingredients): 61.1°C for 3.5 minutes OR 60°C for 6.2 minutes
- Fortified whole egg and blends (24-38% egg solids, 2-12% added nonegg ingredients): 62.2°C for 3.5 minutes OR 61.1°C for 6.2 minutes
- Salted whole egg (2% or more salt added): 63.3°C for 3.5 minutes OR 62.2 °C for 6.2 minutes
- Sugar whole egg (2-12% sugar added): 61.1°C for 3.5 minutes OR 60°C for 6.2 minutes
- Plain yolk: 61.1°C for 3.5 minutes OR 60°C for 6.2 minutes
- Sugar yolk (2% or more sugar added): 63.3°C for 3.5 minutes OR 62.2°C for 6.2 minutes
- Salted yolk (2-12% salt added): 63.3°C for 3.5 minutes OR 62.2°C for 6.2 minutes
Or
The dried egg white albumen in the exported material was pasteurized at a minimum time and temperature of 67°C for 10 days.
Or
The egg/egg products in the exported material were cooked throughout to reach a minimum internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
It is important to provide complete and accurate information to APHIS when applying for an import permit application to avoid delays in issuance. The processing time for an import permit may take several weeks.
Once issued, the import permit will be valid for a period of one year. Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the import permit and the manufacturer's applicable statement on their company letterhead. The exporter will be responsible for providing documentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for review and verification upon arrival at the U.S. port.
Please be advised that import requirements can change without notice. It is the exporter's responsibility to confirm the US import requirements with their importer prior to shipment.
For additional questions, please contact USDA, APHIS Animal Product Imports and Exports (APIE) at APIE@usda.gov.