Subject

This directive provides the general policy for importation of fresh citrus and tropical fruits.

This directive has been revised to update the review date, as well as minor administrative changes.

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Table of Contents

• Review
• Endorsement
• Amendment Record
• Distribution
• Introduction
• Scope
• Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms
   
• 1.0 General Requirements
• 1.1 Legislative Authority
• 1.2 Fees
• 1.3 Commodities
• 1.4 Regulated Areas
   
• 2.0 Specific Requirements
• 2.1 Phytosanitary Import Requirements
• 2.2 General Import Requirements
• 2.3 Required Documentation
• 2.4 Inspection Requirements
   
• 3.0 Non-Compliance
   
• 4.0 Other

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Review

This directive will be reviewed every five years. The next review date for this directive is August 27, 2013. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Endorsement

Approved by:

_______________
Chief Plant Health Officer

Amendment Record

Amendments to this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution below.

Distribution

1. Directive mail list (Regions, PHRA, USDA)
2. Provincial Government, Industry (via Regions)
3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author)
4. Internet

Introduction

The importation of fresh citrus and tropical fruit is not regulated by the CFIA because these fruits are not normally expected to harbour plant pests that can become established in Canada.

Scope

This directive is intended to outline the necessary requirements and inspection procedures for the importation of fresh citrus and tropical fruits. It is to be used by the Canada Border Services Agency and CFIA inspection staff, importers, as well as exporting countries.

Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Glossary of Terms.

1.0 General Requirements

1.1 Legislative Authority

Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c. 22
Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette: Part I (as amended from time to time)

1.2 Fees

The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please contact the Import Service Centre (ISC). Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit our Fees Notice Web Site.

1.3 Commodities

Fresh citrus and tropical fruits.

Examples of citrus or tropical fruits are avocados, bananas, coconuts, grapefruit, jackfruit, lemons, lichees, limes, longans, mangoes, oranges, papayas, and pineapples.

1.4 Regulated Areas

All countries.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Phytosanitary Import Requirements

Citrus and tropical fruits are exempt from further Canadian phytosanitary import requirements as these fruits are not normally expected to harbour plant pests that could become established in Canada.

2.2 General Import Requirements

Shipments must be free of pests, soil, sand, leaves and plant debris.

2.3 Required Documentation

A Phytosanitary Certificate and a Permit to Import are not required.

2.4 Inspection Requirements

These fruits may be subject to CFIA inspection on arrival at the first port of entry in Canada to determine whether the shipment meets Canadian import requirements. The cost of the inspection is the responsibility of the importer.

3.0 Non-Compliance

Shipments of citrus fruits may be refused entry, returned to origin or disposed of if they are found to be contaminated with soil (see also D-95-26), sand, leaves, or plant debris, or infested with any quarantine or regulated pest.

The importer is responsible for any and all costs relating to disposal, removal, rerouting or diversion to processing facilities or treatment, including costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor the action taken.

The CFIA will advise the National Plant Protection Organization of the country of origin of any quarantine pest interceptions or other non-compliances with import requirements.

4.0 Other

Other Canadian import requirements, which are in addition to those stated above, include:

1. chemical residue standards as established under the Food and Drug Regulations;
2. licensing and inspection requirements as established under the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act;
3. regulatory inspection as established under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act; and
4. packaging and labelling requirements as established under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations.

It is the importer's responsibility to know and satisfy these requirements.

Questions and requests for information on any requirements should be directed to local offices of the CFIA.