Food Import

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) provides services and resources to assist Canadian food importers. These services include the Import Service Centres, the Automated Import Reference System, and a variety of guides that provide valuable information on importing foods into Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

Food importers.

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.

ISC	Hours of Service	Toll-free (Canada or U.S.)	Telephone (Other countries)	Fax
Eastern Canada	7 a.m. to 11 p.m.	1-877-493-0468	(514) 493-0468	(514) 493-4103
Central Canada	7 a.m. to 12 midnight	1-800-835-4486	(416) 661-3039	(416) 661-5767
Western Canada	7 a.m. to 12 midnight	1-888-732-6222	(604) 666-7042	(604) 270-9247

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.

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
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-465-7735
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Regional Director, Montreal West
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 1450
2021 Union Street
Montréal, Quebec  H3A 2S9
Telephone: 514-283-8982
Fax: 514-283-1855
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-465-7735
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Regional Director, Saint-Hyacinthe
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Suite 206
3100 Laframboise Boulevard
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec  J2S 4Z4
Telephone: 450-773-6639
Fax: 450-774-8522
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-465-7735
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Regional Director, Québec
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Suite 100
Place Iberville IV
2954 Laurier Boulevard
Ste-Foy, Quebec  G1V 5C7
Telephone: 418-648-7373
Fax: 418-648-4792
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-465-7735
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

---

National Contact(s):
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
59 Camelot Drive
Nepean, Ontario  K1A 0Y9
Telephone: 613-225-2342
Fax: 613-228-6601
Toll-free (information): 1-800-442-2342
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-465-7735
Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).