Live or raw molluscan shellfish, whether frozen or unfrozen, must be harvested, handled and processed in a manner to ensure that the products are safe for human consumption.
These requirements apply to the following species of molluscan shellfish imported live or raw (frozen or unfrozen) for direct consumption or to be cooked prior to consumption:
Species of live or raw (frozen or unfrozen) molluscan shellfish (bivalves and predatory gastropods) such as but not limited to
- Bivalve Molluscan Shellfish
- Clams/Quahogs/Geoducks (Geoduck products consisting of the meat free of viscera are exempt)
- Mussels
- Oysters
- Scallops (Products consisting of the adductor muscle/meat free of viscera or roe are exempt)
- Predatory Gastropods
- Loco
- Whelks (Products consisting of the meat free of viscera are exempt)
Molluscan shellfish are considered "cooked" and exempt from these requirements only when the process control documents demonstrate that the heat process results in a fully cooked product.
Imports of live or raw (frozen or unfrozen) molluscan shellfish are permitted entry into Canada only if the following conditions are met:
| Authorized countries of harvest | Species of molluscan shellfish approved |
|---|---|
| Chile | All Species |
| European Union | All Species |
| Korea | Shucked Frozen Oysters only |
| Mexico | All Species |
| New Zealand | All Species |
| United Kingdom | All Species |
| United States | All Species |
2) The live or raw (frozen or unfrozen) molluscan shellfish were handled and processed by an authorized shipper / establishment.
Requesting listing of an authorized shipper / establishment
Requests for listing of shippers and/or establishments that meet all requirements for exporting live and raw molluscan shellfish can be made by competent authorities of authorized countries of harvest. Email requests to cfia.foodimport-alimentsimportes.acia@inspection.gc.ca
Authorized shippers / establishments
Chile
- Shippers on the List of establishments approved to export live or raw molluscan shellfish from Chile to Canada
European Community Member States
- Shippers on one of the Lists of establishments authorized to export to Canada
- France – List of establishments approved to export live or raw molluscan shellfish from France to Canada
- Ireland – List of Establishments Approved to Export Live or Raw Molluscan Shellfish from Ireland to Canada
- Netherlands – List of Establishments Approved to Export Live or Raw Molluscan Shellfish from Netherlands to Canada
Korea
- Shippers on the Interstate certified shellfish shippers list
Mexico
- Shippers on the List of establishments approved to export live or raw molluscan shellfish from Mexico to Canada
New Zealand
- Shippers on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List
United Kingdom
- Shippers on the List of establishments approved to export live or raw molluscan shellfish from United Kingdom to Canada
United States
- Bivalve molluscs: Shippers on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List
- Predatory gastropods: Imports from all US shippers/establishments are approved. As such, the request for documentation review, indicated in the section "Instructions for Import", is not required.
The Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL) is published by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Please note that the ICSSL includes shippers from countries that are not authorized to export live or raw molluscan shellfish products to Canada.
Instructions for import
- Importers must verify, prior to import, that the molluscan shellfish are from an authorized country of harvest and shipper and are a species approved for import into Canada.
- Importers must complete the form Request for documentation review and send the form to the CFIA National import service centre (NISC) prior to importing a raw or live molluscan shellfish product. Information on completing the form can be found in the Instructions for completing the CFIA National import service centre cover sheet.
- The NISC verifies whether the raw or live molluscan shellfish product is from an authorized country of harvest and shipper and stamps the NISC cover sheet when the conditions of import are met.
- Importers must present the stamped cover sheet to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in order for the product to be permitted entry into Canada. CBSA will not allow the entry of any live or raw molluscan shellfish product without the stamped NISC cover sheet.
The National Import Service Centre may be contacted at:
National Import Service Centre
Telephone: 1-800-835-4486 or 905-795-7834
Facsimile: 613-773-9999