Food-specific import requirements

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) set out certain requirements, such as licensing, preventive controls and traceability that apply to most food commodities; however, certain food commodities have specific requirements related to grades or standards. In some cases it may be related to a health risk and additional permits or certificates are required that attests that the food is safe.

Dairy products

• Overview - Importing dairy products
• Regulatory requirements: dairy products
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 4, Dairy Products
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Canadian Standards of Identity
  • Volume 1, Dairy Products
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods

Egg and processed products

• Overview - Importing egg and processed egg products
• Regulatory requirements: eggs
• Regulatory requirements: processed egg products
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 5, Eggs
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Canadian Standards of Identity
  • Volume 2, Processed Egg Products
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods

Fish and seafood products

• Overview - Importing fish and shellfish
• Regulatory requirements: fish
• Fish products containing meat
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 8, Fish
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Canadian Standards of Identity
  • Volume 3, Fish
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods

Fresh fruit and vegetables

• Overview - Importing fresh fruits and vegetables
• Regulatory requirements: Fresh fruit or vegetables
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 2, Fresh Fruit or Vegetables
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Grade Standard Requirements for Fresh Fruits or Vegetables Imported from the United States
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods
• Destination Inspection Service (DIS)
• Temporary import requirements for romaine lettuce from the United States (2023)

Honey

• Overview - Importing honey
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 6, Honey
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Canadian Standards of Identity
  • Volume 5, Honey
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods

Maple and maple products

• Overview - Importing maple and maple products
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 7, Maple Syrup
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Canadian Standards of Identity
  • Volume 6, Maple Products
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods

Meat products

• Overview - Importing meat products
• Eligible countries and meat products for importation into Canada
  • Certification Conditions for Importation of Meat Products
  • Foreign countries establishments eligible to export meat products to Canada
  • International 2 and 3 letter country codes
  • Procedures for the Use of the Official Meat Inspection Certificates (OMIC)
    • Official Meat Inspection Certificate Form (for all countries other than United States)
    • Official Meat Inspection Certificate Forms from the United States
  • Use of Shipping Marks
  • Declaration of meat condition or structure prior to importation
  • Grade Requirements for Imported Meat Products
  • Procedures for Handling in Bond Shipments
  • Tracking of Imported Meat Products With Restricted End Use
  • Meat product exceptions under section 25 of the SFCR
  • Broth, flavour and extract of meat origin
  • Meat Products Imported Under Waiver
  • Meat products containing shellfish
  • Un-stamped, Tamper Evident Sealed Meat Shipments
  • Use of Official Seals
  • Procedures for the importation (return) of exported meat products
    • Application / authorization form for returning legally exported edible Canadian meat products to Canada from countries other than United States
    • Foreign government official's declaration for exported Canadian meat products being returned to Canada
• CFIA Shipment Tracker for Food, Plant and Animal
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 1, Ovine Carcasses and Poultry Carcasses
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Canadian Standards of Identity
  • Volume 7, Meat Products
• Preventive Control Plan Requirements for Biological Hazards in Meat Products
• Beef, Bison, and Veal Carcass Grade Requirements (PDF)
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods

Processed products

• Overview - Importing processed fruit or vegetable products
• Canadian Grade Compendium
  • Volume 3, Processed Fruit or Vegetable Products
  • Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements
• Canadian Standards of Identity
  • Volume 4, Processed Fruit or Vegetable Products
• Minimum Drained Weights and Average Drained Weights for Processed Fruit or Vegetable Products in a Hermetically Sealed Package
• Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods

Related Information

Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)
Access AIRS and learn more about import requirements for your food commodity.

Documents incorporated by reference – Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
Access all volumes of the Canadian grade compendium and the Canadian standard of identity as well as other documents that are incorporated by reference in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.