As a Canadian exporter, it is important to make sure that your food, plant and animal products meet all requirements of an importing country.
Use My CFIA to prepare and apply for an export certificate online.
Service standards for export certificate applications
Current service channels remain open. There are no changes to existing service standards.
For more information, contact your local CFIA office.
Find an export certificate
It is your responsibility to determine the export documentation required for your consignment.
My CFIA allows you to submit your service requests through a single portal. Answer questions in My CFIA to identify the export certificate and other requirements, for example, if an inspection is needed.
Benefits of My CFIA
- Access immediate and consistent export requirements
- Upload documents to support service requests (for example, lab results)
- Copy a previous application for a new request
- Get access to "draft" export certificates to support business needs (for example, preclearance into an importing country)
- Request modifications or withdraw a service request
- Access an issued certificate instantly through the portal and avoid delays picking up a physical copy from a CFIA office
- Receive a certified true copy of your certificate at no charge
- Request replacement certificates
- View and pay invoices
Establish a third-party relationship
If your business completes export activities with a third party, establish a third-party relationship to facilitate the application process. A business or organization with a valid My CFIA account can act on your behalf within the system to submit and pay for export applications.
To learn more, explore third party representation in My CFIA.
Report a change of requirements from an importing country
It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that their shipment meets the importing country's requirements before the consignment and application for certification is submitted to the CFIA.
If you are notified of a change in requirements that affect your shipment, contact your local Inspector as soon as possible.
Get your export certificate
Electronically signed certificates
Print electronically signed certificates from your portal dashboard in My CFIA. It must be printed to accompany your shipment.
For more information, see how to print a permit, licence, registration or certificate issued through My CFIA.
Certificates with ink signatures
Certificates with ink signatures are issued at CFIA offices. The current process in place to pick up your certificate will continue to be available.
For more information about export certification, visit:
Electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhytos)
Phytosanitary certificates issued from My CFIA are ePhytos.
ePhytos are sent automatically when they are issued to the destination country through the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) ePhyto HUB. A certified copy can be printed from your My CFIA account.
Offline process for export certification
While the incremental uptake of electronic export certification through My CFIA continues, the offline process for export certification will remain available.
CFIA inspectors, CFIA veterinarians and Alternative Service Providers will sign export certificates, as required.
Contact us
For questions about My CFIA enrolment, call 1-800-442-2342.
For questions about export service requests, contact CFIA.ECODCT-ECLOCE.ACIA@inspection.gc.ca.