Morocco – Export requirements for milk and dairy products

1. Eligible/ineligible product

1.1 Eligible

Milk and dairy products as per the list of Harmonized System (HS) codes which can be found in the electronic platform of the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA). However, some dairy products may not be listed. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the product being exported will be covered by the certificates issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Examples of dairy products that have already been exported to Morocco (MA):

cream
cheese (cheddar, cheddar types and specialty cheese)
butter and other fats and oil derived from milk
skim milk powder
whey products
products consisting of natural milk constituents

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

The manufacturing, exporting and storage facilities of dairy products must be under the official oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).

The Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA) has launched an electronic platform for the registration of foreign establishments that produce, process and store food products that will be exported to Morocco. For more information in this regard, see the link Morocco – ATLAS system – Guidance for industry.

Note: it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure/confirm that the establishment is on the list of establishments approved by ONSSA. This information must be added to the manufacturer's declaration under the additional information section.

2.3 Products

Product registration is generally required when registering the establishment in the ONSSA platform. Dairy products that do not require registration are nevertheless not exempt from the obligation to be accompanied by a health certificate.

2.4 Import permit

An import permit may be required; the exporter should work with the importer to verify this condition.

3. Product specifications

No information is known regarding product specifications. Microbiological requirements and maximum residue limits in Morocco 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 must include a statement confirming that the establishment is on the list of the ONSSA

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 TS.MA contains animal health and public health requirements.

Animal health attestations

The health certificate CFIA/ACIA TS.MA refers to Canada's free status with respect to the following diseases: Foot and mouth disease, Rinderpest, Peste des petits ruminants, Bovine brucellosis et Tuberculosis. This condition is met as long as Canada's free status with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) does not change. These diseases are reportable in Canada under the Health of Animals Act.

Note : This condition can also be met because dairy products manufactured in Canada and intended for the Morocco market are also subject to pasteurization or any combination of control measures with equivalent level of performance, in accordance with the recommendations of WOAH and/or as indicated in the Codex Alimentarius Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and Milk Products.

Public health attestations

The public health attestations on the health certificate CFIA/ACIA TS.MA are met based on Canadian and Moroccan regulations.

Note: Radioactivity parameters are met based on the fact that food commodities produced in Canada show levels of radiation at normal background levels and far below those considered harmful by national and international standards. This statement is supported by continual environmental monitoring of Canadian and international radiation levels.

Imported dairy ingredients

The use of imported dairy ingredients from certain countries may limit the ability to export to Morocco. The exporter must provide Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) with all relevant documentation (official documentation from the competent authorities) for the imported dairy ingredients.

5. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

It is the exporter's responsibility to meet all the requirements for labelling, packaging and marking requirements as required by the importing country.

6. Required documents

Canada has a negotiated certificate with Morocco. Request for any additional statements must be confirmed by CFIA's Food Import Export Division (FIED).

Certificate

Health certificate for the export of milk and milk products for human consumption from Canada to Morocco (CFIA/ACIA TS.MA)
Certificate of Inspection Radioactivity Content as required in statement 7(c) of the health certificate TS.MA
- The request of the Certificate of Inspection Radioactivity Content from the CFIA must be made prior to receiving the export health certificate

Note

The health certificate is signed by the CFIA official veterinarian and official inspector
The health certificate is written in 2 languages: English and French
Halal certification may be required
- The importer and exporter are responsible for providing the required halal certification for exported dairy products
- The CFIA is not involved in the halal certification
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.

A certificate of origin (CO) could be requested during the import control procedure at the border inspection posts. The CO is issued by chambers of commerce.

Samples (personal or commercial) may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with their importer.

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