Food > Fish and Seafood > Imports 

Instructions to Complete the Fish Import Notification Form

Country of Origin - The country of origin is identified as the country in which the fish or fish product was produced or processed.

Foreign Processor (incl. shellfish shipper number, processor or facility number, where applicable) - The foreign processor is identified by the name of the foreign company who produced or processed the fish (and processor or facility number, if available). Do not put the name of the fish brokers. Please note that product that has been produced in Canada and is returning to Canada should have the country "Canada" named in this field.

Labelled Storage Instructions - This field should be completed by the Importer when ready-to-eat (RTE) products are imported. This information will assist CFIA to trigger appropriate inspection analyses concerning the health and safety of the product. If the ready-to-eat products are not frozen or refrigerated (canned or shelf stable products), then the Labelled Storage Instructions can be identified as N/A. The shelf life is to be identified when the ready-to-eat products are refrigerated.

Product Description

• Primary Treatment - The primary treatment refers to the primary method of preservation of the product that provides essential information on requirements for health and safety compliance and the determination of inspection testing requirements. Indicate how the fish is initially processed. Examples of primary treatment include: live; raw;; dried; refrigerated or retorted.
• Secondary Treatment - Further describe any additional process the fish product may have undergone as this is an important factor in determining the type of analysis to which the product may be subjected to during inspection and further analysis. Examples of secondary treatment include: blanched; partially cooked; pasteurized; cooked; smoked; pickled; salted; acidified; modified atmosphere packaging (MAP); or not applicable
• Common Name - Provide the common name of fish specie(s) or product. A great reference for finding common names and scientific names may be found on the CFIA website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/fispoi/fishlist/canadahomee.shtml
• Form of Product - The presentation form of the fish product. Examples include: round; dressed; headed and gutted; loins; fillets; steaks and packing medium if applicable;
• Brand Name - Include the brand name of any packaged and labelled products.

Source - Use the "check-off" boxes to indicate whether the fish has been aquacultured or wild caught.

Scientific Name - The scientific name must be given including the genus and species of the fish. Help may be found by referring to the "Fish List" as found on the CFIA website (mentioned above under "Common Name").

Container Design - This field refers only to those products which have been retorted and therefore, where applicable, should describe the package or container in which the product is presented. Examples of container design include: round can; flat drawn can; retort pouch; bottle; and any other presentation as applicable.

End Use

• Retail: Any product for sale in a store or directly to a consumer.
• Food Service/Institutional use: Any product for sale to the food service industry that is NOT for sale in store or directly to a consumer.
• For further processing: Product that will undergo significant transformation at a federally registered facility. Examples of significant transformation include: product that is imported fresh/live/frozen and is filleted; product that comes in fresh/frozen and is salted; product that comes in fresh/live/frozen and is canned) The form "Application to Import Fish Products for Further Processing in Federally Registered Plants" must also be completed and submitted with the notification. If space permits and the further processing steps can be written directly on the notification, including the name and registration number of the federally registered facility, then completion of the form is not necessary.

Number of Cases - The number of shipping cartons/cases of the product which was imported.

Number of Units per Case - The number of individual units (if applicable) packed in each shipping case.

Unit Weight - The weight of the individual unit expressed in kg.

Codes / Sizes - In the case of high risk products such as canned and ready-to-eat, a list indicating the foreign processor and the number of containers for each production code must be provided on a separate sheet of paper.

Expected Date of Arrival - This date should be the date the product is available for sampling as some containers may take several days or longer to arrive at the warehouse.

Warehouse Address - The warehouse name and address mentioned here should be the final destination of the imported product where the product will be held and available for inspection by CFIA.

ICN Line No. and Decision columns - These two columns are to be completed by CFIA.