Food export requirements library

The export requirements library outlines destination country requirements you need to meet when exporting. They include conditions the Canadian government has accepted for issuing export certificates. Their purpose is to facilitate access to overseas markets for Canadian exporters.

The destination country requirements provided below are based on information available to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) at the time of posting. You should confirm product requirements with the importer and the competent foreign authorities before commencing full scale production for export to a foreign market. The CFIA assumes no liability for the accuracy of this information.

Before you export your products, check for changes to regulatory or commercial requirements. You are responsible for ensuring that your exports comply with applicable Canadian requirements and those of the importing country.

Note: importing country requirements may relate to public health as well as animal health and plant protection.

What type of information is available

For each product sector/destination country combination, applicable requirements may be found under the headings as described below:

eligible / ineligible product
A description of the products that can be certified by CFIA for export to the destination country and a list of specific products or types of products that cannot be certified by CFIA for export to that country
pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country:
- establishment
- product
- label
- import permit
A description of approvals by the competent authority (CA) of the importing country that are pre-requisites for export. These include establishment approval and listing, product approval, label registration and import permit issuance to the importer
product specifications (microbiological, chemical contaminant and drug residue limits)
A listing of the microbiological, chemical and other product standards and specifications of the importing country which differ from Canadian standards and may require additional controls
production controls and inspection requirements
Specific controls or measures to be applied by the operator or producer during production to ensure compliance with the importing country's requirements and any associated inspection activities by CFIA
labelling, packaging and marking requirements
Labelling, packaging and marking requirements which are set out in the export certificate as well as other requirements which have been agreed upon between CFIA and the foreign CA
documentation requirements (Certificates, Statements, Forms)
Outlines importing country requirements for documentation including specific certificates and statements to be issued and signed by CFIA
other information
Other pertinent information including contact details for the foreign competent authority and links to the foreign Competent Authority's website where such information is available

If a particular heading does not appear for a given product sector/country combination, it means that the agency is not aware of any destination country requirements that fall under that heading. If you wish to export products to that country, it is your responsibility to verify and comply with any relevant requirements for that market.

Don't see your market in the export requirements library

If you wish to export products to countries not listed, it is your responsibility to check and comply with destination country or market requirements. Where the foreign country requirements are unclear, the CFIA or the Market Access Secretariat's Single Window or the Trade Commissioner's Office can seek clarification from the overseas government concerned. Unofficial interpretations are applied at your own risk.

More information on animal and plant health certification

Foods with certification requirements related to animal health (aquatic or terrestrial) have been incorporated into the country export requirements below. For information on plant health certification requirements, please consult the CFIA plant export page. Food products that potentially require plant health certification include: grain and processed grain products (hemp seed, ground flax, oatmeal, flour, lentils, peas and other legumes, rice, corn, etc.); plant oils (canola, flax seed oil, etc.); frozen fruits and vegetables; fresh fruits and vegetables (mushrooms, bulbs, etc.); dried or freeze dried fruits or vegetables; dried soup mixes (particularly if they contain grains or dried vegetables); coffee and teas (including herbal teas); spices (especially spices that are whole seeds such as cardamom); and, traditional medicine ingredients. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.

Updating foreign country requirements

When a requirement for a particular country is updated, relevant notifications will be sent out and posted in the Food export notices section of Food exports.

Helping to keep export requirements current

Please advise the CFIA if you receive information about new requirements or the way in which countries administer their requirements. This helps ensure that market-specific export requirements are valid and as up-to-date as possible. It may also provide a basis for negotiations to amend an existing requirement or establish a new one.

Travellers going abroad

If you are travelling overseas and carry food products intended for later personal use or consumption, you are exempt from licensing as an exporter.

Taking trade samples overseas

You may need to meet export requirements if you take trade samples to other countries. These are normally defined in the foreign country requirements for the countries or markets the samples are intended for.