Fees
There is no fee to apply for a licence. For any future fees, stakeholders will be notified and it will be reflected in part 4 of the CFIA Fees Notice.
Feed businesses must get a livestock feeds licence to:
- export to another country
- import for sale in Canada
- move products within Canada across provincial/territorial boundaries (interprovincial trade)
Feed businesses do not need a licence when:
- they are only conducting activities within 1 province or territory
- all their feeds are registered
To help determine if you need a licence, use our tool.
General exceptions from the licencing requirements in the Feeds Regulations, 2024 include:
- feed that remains within a province
- feed for research that has received approval by the CFIA
- a complete feed, other than a novel feed, that is packaged in containers having a net mass of not more than 10 kg and that is intended for feeding to livestock, other than livestock intended for human consumption as food
- feed that is in the form of samples (less than 1 kg) intended for the purpose of marketing promotion at exhibits, conferences or trade shows, if the samples are labelled "Not for Sale / Non destiné à la vente" and are disposed of in a safe manner or are exported
- a feed that is in the form of samples (less than 1 kg) intended for the purpose of testing at a laboratory in Canada, if the samples are labelled as such and are disposed of in a safe manner or are exported
- feed that accompanies imported livestock for their use while in Canada that is subsequently exported or is disposed of in a safe manner
- feed intended only for consumption by imported livestock while the livestock is temporarily in Canada, but does not accompany that livestock when the livestock is imported provided the Minister has been appropriately notified
Feed businesses who do not need a licence may choose to voluntarily apply for a licence.
Consult the legislation:
How long it will take to process your application
- licence applications submitted prior to December 17, 2025, will not be issued before December 17, 2025
- all completed and satisfactory applications submitted through My CFIA on or after December 17, 2025, will be processed without delay
Period of validity of a licence
Your licence is valid for 2 years from the day it is issued.