MEMORANDUM D19-9-3

Ottawa, June 16, 2005

Amendments – June 16, 2005: For more information, see "In Brief".

IMPORTATION AND SHIPMENT OF BODIES, BODY PARTS AND HUMAN ORGANS INTO CANADA

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in the administration of the Quarantine Act and the Regulations established thereunder. This memorandum outlines the conditions under which bodies, body parts and human organs may be imported into Canada.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• GUIDELINES AND GENERAL INFORMATION
  • Bodies
  • Body Parts
  • Shipment of Human Organs
  • Additional information
• REFERENCES

GUIDELINES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Bodies

1. The PHAC advises the following best practices related to the importation of bodies:

Body Parts

2. The Quarantine Regulations do not specifically cover body parts, which could include severed limbs, organs, and human tissues. As a general guideline, on the arrival of a body part at the point of entry into Canada, the carrier should provide a medical certificate indicating the following:

3. Organs and tissues for transplantations do not need to be accompanied by death certificates. Since organs for transplantation are transported hospital-to-hospital, it is expected that packaging, transportation, and handling meet universal hospital precautions. The urgent importation of organs and tissues for transplantation should be facilitated as expediently as possible.

4. The PHAC recommends that body parts be shipped in leak-proof, air-tight, sealed containers. Universal precautions should be used when handling body parts.

5. Dry bones and cremated body parts do not need to be accompanied by medical certificates.

6. Cargo control documents are not required. However, where cargo control documents have been issued, they may be acquitted by a reference to this memorandum.

7. Importations of anthropological or archeological specimens (e.g., shrunken heads or skulls and bones) are not prohibited by the Quarantine Act and Regulations. However, other regulations and international conventions on the import/export of cultural artifacts may apply.

Shipment of Human Organs

8. Shipments of human organs are to be released immediately upon arrival at the point of importation, without Customs documentation or examination. Should occasion arise whereby a vehicle or aircraft arrives with human organs at locations where the services of CBSA Inspectors are not available, CBSA Managers may grant either prior or retroactive approval for clearance of the conveyance without Customs formalities.

9. Cargo control documents are not required. However, where cargo control documents have been issued, they may be acquitted by a reference to this memorandum.

10. Special service charges are not to be assessed in any circumstances relating to relase of human organs.

Additional information

11. Where properly completed medical certificates or death certificates do not accompany bodies or body parts, or where there are questions about the disposal of bodies or body parts, or where further general information is required, contact the PHAC at the following address:

12. Questions concerning the CBSA’s administration of these procedures should be directed to:

REFERENCES

ISSUING OFFICE –

HEADQUARTERS FILE –

LEGISLATIVE REFERENCES –

OTHER REFERENCES –

SUPERSEDED MEMORANDA “D” –

Services provided by the Canada Border Services Agency are available in both official languages.