How to submit a paper declaration to the National Import Service Centre
In the event that the Integrated Import Declaration is not accessible, or if your documentation is larger than 150 MB, the documentation package can be submitted as a paper entry to the National Import Service Centre (NISC) via email or fax:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is recommending importers/brokers adhere to the following guidelines when submitting documentation to the NISC. Adhering to the guidelines will help improve turnaround times for processing your shipment.
Always use the current version of the form above, CFIA/ACIA 5272
Type or print the transaction code on the form
Ensure all information on the form is complete
Ensure a valid email address is provided on the form for communication purposes
A bar code and/or a label transaction code is not permitted on the form
Do not affix any labels or stickers to the form
Fax or email your completed form, any required import documents and a commercial invoice or Canada Customs invoice to the NISC
Form CFIA/ACIA 5272 should be the first page of your package submission
Example for filling out form CFIA/ACIA 5272 – Request for documentation review
The example provided below, is for an importer shipping plants and not using the services of a broker.
Disclaimer
The company names and addresses used in this example are purely fictional for the purposes of outlining how the information should be presented and formatted in form CFIA/ACIA 5272. Any similarities to current or past importers or brokers are by coincidence only.
Other import documents to include
Based on the results of your Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) search for your import product(s), there will be importer/broker instructions identifying the needed documentation to submit to the NISC as part of your paper declaration. You must include your import product(s) Harmonized System (HS) codes with your paper declaration.
Missing documentation results in unnecessary rejections prolonging the processing of your import shipment.
Example: AIRS search for fresh apples
Example: importer/broker instructions from AIRS search for fresh apples
In this example for fresh apples for personal use and not for resale or distribution, NISC would require:
the completed form CFIA/ACIA 5272 – Request for documentation review
the phytosanitary certificate, and
the specific Harmonized System (HS) codes (HS Descriptor 080810, OGD Extension 400100 and End Use 46)