Food Import

Eligibility Criteria

Summary

CFIA Web site - Import

Contains a vast amount of information on importing food into Canada. They provide information on import by commodity, import procedures, and useful guides that are designed to assist food importers. Example of available guides:

• Guide to Importing Food Products Commercially

Presents an overview of the federal regulatory and policy requirements for the commercial importation of food into Canada. It is designed for importers, consultants and those considering embarking on an import venture.

• Food Recalls - Importers' Guide

Provides an overview of how to develop a recall plan and how to put that plan in action in the event of a recall. It can also assist in identifying unsafe products that may have been received and sold.

Import Service Centres

The CFIA, in cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), has established three regional Import Service Centres (ISC). ISCs process import request documentation/data sent electronically or by fax by the importing community across Canada. They review the information and return the decision either electronically to CBSA, which then relays it to the client; or by fax directly to the broker/importer, who then submits the release package to CBSA. In addition, ISC staff handles telephone inquiries regarding import requirements for all commodities inspected by the CFIA, and coordinates inspections for import shipments when necessary.

Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)

The purpose of the AIRS is to provide accurate and timely information on import requirements. The Web application uses a question and answer approach to guide the user through a series of questions about the Harmonized System (HS) Codes, origin, destination, end use and miscellaneous qualifiers of the product they wish to bring into Canada. The system leads the user through the applicable regulations and policies to information on documentation requirements and any other conditions that apply to the importation of the product in question.

Other Import Services

The Frequent Importer Release System (FIRST)  is a CBSA release system for frequent importers of low risk commodities who have a high degree of compliance with CBSA and CFIA regulations.

The Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) is a system to review imported fish, food and agriculture products before their arrival. It is one of many CFIA initiatives aimed at improving service and compliance. It is available at all automated CBSA commercial offices.

Alberta Contact(s):
Regional Director, Alberta North
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 205
7000 - 113 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 5T6
Telephone: 780-495-3333
Fax: 780-495-3359
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

British Columbia Contact(s):
Regional Director
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Suite 400
4321 Still Creek Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia  V5C 6S7
Telephone: 604-666-6513
Fax: 604-666-1261
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Manitoba Contact(s):
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 613
269 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 1B2
Telephone: 204-983-2200
Fax: 204-984-6008
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Regional Director, New Brunswick
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
850 Lincoln Road
P.O. Box 2222
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 5G4
Telephone: 506-452-4964
Fax: 506-452-3923
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Newfoundland & Labrador Contact(s):
Regional Director, Newfoundland
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
10 Barter's Hill Road
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador  A1C 5X1
Telephone: 709-772-4424
Fax: 709-772-2282
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Northwest Territories Contact(s):
Regional Director, Alberta North
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 205
7000 - 113 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 5T6
Telephone: 780-495-3333
Fax: 780-495-3359
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Regional Director, Nova Scotia
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
1992 Agency Drive
P.O. Box 1060
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia  B2Y 3Z7
Telephone: 902-426-2110
Fax: 902-426-4844
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Nunavut Contact(s):
Regional Director, Alberta North
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 205
7000 - 113 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 5T6
Telephone: 780-495-3333
Fax: 780-495-3359
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Ontario Contact(s):
Regional Director, North East Ontario
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 208, Unit 6
345 College Street East
Belleville, Ontario  K8N 5S7
Telephone: (613) 969-3750
Fax: (613) 969-3721
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
Regional Director
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
690 University Avenue
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island  C1E 1E3
Telephone: 902-566-7290
Fax: 902-566-7334
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Quebec Contact(s):
Regional Director, Montreal East
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 600
7101 Jean-Talon Street East
Anjou, Quebec  H1M 3N7
Telephone: 514-493-8859
Fax: 514-493-9965
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Regional Director, Saskatchewan
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 300
3085 Albert Street
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 4E3
Telephone: 306-780-5180
Fax: 306-780-5177
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Yukon Contact(s):
Regional Director
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Suite 400
4321 Still Creek Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia  V5C 6S7
Telephone: 604-666-6513
Fax: 604-666-1261
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml