Canadian Food Inspection Agency Food and Horticultural Products Import Guide for Trade Fairs and Shows in CanadaAdditional information for exhibitors in the province of Quebec. Exhibitors' ResponsibilitiesYou have decided to exhibit your products at a trade fair in Canada! This guide sets out the special conditions that apply to importing food and horticultural products for a show or trade fair. In Canada, the import of these products is mainly regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Product safety: The importer or importers legal representative is responsible for ensuring the safety of the food products that will be offered for tasting during the course of the event. This means ensuring that the products are transported, stored and displayed in conditions that prevent any deterioration of the product. Unsafe or infested products must be returned to their place of origin or be destroyed under our supervision. Sales ban: Exemptions to the various laws and regulations enforced by the CFIA are provided when the products are being imported solely to be presented at shows or trade fairs. Selling such products at these events is prohibited. Distributing the products outside the exhibition premises is also forbidden, unless prior special permission has been obtained from the CFIA. Permits and letters of authorization: A number of products are subject to very strict controls and must comply with the conditions listed on the permit to import or in the letter of authorization. If the products do not comply with the stated conditions, they will not be allowed into Canada. Fees are charged for each permit. Preauthorization: The permits and authorizations mentioned in this guide should be obtained ahead of time if you want to avoid any unpleasant last-minute surprises. Information about applying for the required documents can be obtained from resource persons mentioned in this guide for each product category. You can find out from the exhibit organizers whether there is an official broker for the event. Other departments and agencies: In this guide you will also find references to other government departments that may be involved in controlling the import and export of some of the products mentioned. Regulatory changes: A change in a countrys sanitary status or in certain conditions set out in this guide may occur. It is therefore recommended you check at the time of shipping that you are providing all the required documents, taking into account last-minute changes. Definition: All meats, poultry and their products are subject to the conditions set out below. Products Import Conditions for show: From the United States:
From other countries:
Other Requirements: The Department of International Trade Canada (ITCan) is responsible for issuing permits for the import of certain meat products. These products may be imported without a permit, but they will be subject to higher customs tariffs. Some meat products are also regulated by Environment Canada which is responsible for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import Service Centre. Definition: Milk, butter, cream, cheese and other products made from milk and consisting almost exclusively of dairy products. Products Import Conditions for show: From the United States:
From other countries:
Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import Service Centre. Other Requirements: A permit to import can be issued by the Department of International Trade Canada (ITCan). Dairy products may be imported without the permit, but they will be subject to higher customs tariffs. Definition: Shell eggs, whole eggs, egg yolks, egg whites, egg mix or egg products (with eggs accounting for 50 % of the weight) in their liquid, frozen or dehydrated states. Products Import Conditions for show: Maximum quantity :
From the United States :
From other countries :
Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import Service Centre Other Requirements: A permit to import can be issued by the Department of International Trade Canada (ITCan). Egg products may be imported without a permit, but they will be subject to higher customs tariffs. Some eggs and egg products are also regulated by Environment Canada which is responsible for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Definition: Fish, crustaceans, mollusks, other seafood and marine animals and all products that are composed thereof. Products Import Conditions for show:
Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import Service Centre Other Requirements: Some marine products are also regulated by Environment Canada which is responsible for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Definition: Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and edible mushrooms and truffles. Products Import Conditions for show:
Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import Service Centre Other Requirements: None Definition: Fruits and vegetables that have been canned, cooked, frozen, concentrated, marinated or otherwise processed / Honey and Maple products such as syrup, sugar and maple taffy. Products Import Conditions for show:
Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and
documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import
Service Centre None Definition: All beverages with more than 5% of alcohol. Products Import Conditions for show:
For more information, please contact: NOTE: The information on the websites available through the links in this section may not be available in both English and French.
Other Requirements: Some alcoholic beverages contain animals that might be regulated by Environment Canada which is responsible for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Definition: All other food products not included in the above-mentioned categories. Products Import Conditions for show:
Other Requirements: Some plants intended for infusion may be regulated by Environment Canada which is responsible for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Definition: All food products intended for household pets such as dogs and cats. Products Import Conditions for show: From the United States:
From other countries:
Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import Service Centre Other Requirements: None Import Conditions for Seed Grains:
Import Conditions for Dried and Cut Flowers:
Import Conditions for All Other Types of Plants:
Resource Person: To arrange for import permits (if required) and documentation, your initial contact should be your local CFIA Import Service Centre Other Requirements: Some seed grains and horticultural products may be regulated by Environment Canada which is responsible for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Other Requirements: International Trade CanadaDepartment of International Trade Canada (ITCan) The Export and Import Controls Bureau of the Department of International Trade Canada is responsible for the issuance of permits for goods on the Import Control List and Export Control List under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act. The following agricultural products are or will be subject to controls: Agricultural Products subject to Import Controls:
Contact: International Trade Canada Environment Canada Canada is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This international agreement allows more than 160 countries to exercise control over the import and export of more than 30,000 plant and animal species and their derivatives listed in one of the three appendixes of the Convention. Appendix I lists the most endangered species which international trade is not permitted. Canadian regulation forbids all trade activities including sale, distribution or promotion of these species or their derivatives unless it is subject to a specific exemption. As examples within animal species: primates, felines, cetaceans, cervids, bovids, parrots, turtles, crocodiles, molluscs and others. Within plants: cacti, orchids, euphorbias and others. The scientific name (genus and species) must be known to obtain the permit prior to import and the importer must ensure that the species are not listed on the appendix I. Appendix II and III list the species that are allowed for international trade with a valid foreign CITES export permit. The CITES must be obtained prior export from the CITES Management Authority of the country of export. The permit is valid only for one use unless other indication on the permit. An export permit from Canadian authority is required to return the merchandise to the origin. As examples, you will find in appendix II some mammal species, birds, reptiles, amphibians (some frogs), fish (sturgeons). Within plants, you will find American ginseng and Asiatic ginseng. In Canada, CITES is enforced under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) assist the Canadian Wildlife Services law enforcement officers from Environment Canada in the implementation of the CITES. For more information: Environment Canada, Canadian Web sites: Environment Canada: http://www.cites.ec.gc.ca The importing community across Canada is served mainly by three CFIAs Import Service Centres. The ISC process import request documentation and data sent electronically or by fax . The staff review the information and return the decision either to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) by electronic or directly to broker/importer by fax. The broker then submits the release package, including CFIA decision to the customs officers. In addition, ISC staff handle telephone inquiries regarding import requirements for all commodities inspected by the CFIA. Information related to commercial shipments or personal exemption can be obtained at one of our three Import Service Centres (ISC):
Additional information on ISC is available on our Web site at the following address : www.inspection.gc.ca Be sure to check the following points:
Remember that you are responsible for ensuring the safety of the products that you will be presenting or offering for tasting during the show. |
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