How To Import Processed Food And Beverage Into Canada
Your how to guide on processed food and beverage imports into Canada
When importing crackers, chips, granola bars, bread, canned goods and vegetables, frozen meals, condiments, pasta, candy, non-alcoholic beverages, tea, coffee, soft drinks, juice, plant based milks and other processed foods into Canada, you must know what government parties are involved, what regulations must be followed, and the fundamental aspects of food product imports.
Parties Involved:
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- Global Affairs Canada (dairy, meat, grains ingredients)
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (seafood, fish or shellfish ingredients)
- Customs Broker
- Carrier
Main Regulations:
- Ensure your produce is eligible for admission into Canada by referencing the CFIA Automated Import Reference System
- You are required to hold a Safe Food For Canadians (SFCR) Import License
- You are required to create a preventive control plan (PCP) which outlines your import plan, details how your imports meet the requirements of import, and your procedure for recalls
- Your imported food must be traceable with regards to where it was sourced and to whom it was distributed
- Your import may be subject to one or more Participating Government Agencies and regulations depending on its ingredients. For example, if you are importing soup with a meat broth, it will be subject to Safe Food for Canadians Licence and Tariff Rate Quota as outlined by Global Affairs Canada. We recommend that you obtain a detailed ingredients list and the use of this guide to determine what government agency requirements are required to be met
- Your food imports may be subject to specific labeling requirements
Import Fundamentals:
- You will be acting as the Importer of Record. Therefore, you are the party ultimately responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the import declaration; as well as, the payment of applicable duties and taxes into Canada
- Duty and tax must be paid upon importation into Canada.
- The rate of duty is determined by the tariff of the commodity being imported, the value of the goods and, the origin of the goods.
- Certain import documentation is required to be presented to the border services officer at the port of entry.
- Your import may be subject to a customs review, inspection or audit prior to, or after the importation. Additional fees may be levied by the Government of Canada for these services.
- You are required to keep your import records for six years following the date of import and can be audited by Customs at any point during this time.
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FAQ: Processed Food Imports
Some foods are prohibited from entering Canada. To find out if your food is admissible, use the below tool from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
All food imported into Canada requires a food import license in accordance with the Safe Food For Canadians (SFCR) regulations enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In order to determine if your import requires a license use the below interactive tool.
To obtain a Safe Food For Canadians (SFCR) Import License please apply online at My CFIA.
