The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is reminding brokers/importers to adhere to the following guidelines when submitting documentation to the CFIA's National Import Service Centre (NISC).

Import-related documents should be faxed only once to the NISC, along with the transmission of your Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) submission. Please refrain from re-faxing documents unless directed to do so by the NISC. All faxes are now to be sent to the new centralized fax number at 1-613-773-9999.

When using the CFIA “Request for Documentation Review” form (CFIA/ACIA 5272):

• Do not use company fax cover page
• Use the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272) as the first document of a fax submission
• Ensure the new version of the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272) is used
• Ensure all information on the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272) is typed
• Do not provide a bar code and/or a label transaction code on the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272)
• Ensure to key in the transaction number on the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272)
• Do not affix any labels or stickers to the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272)
• Should a single fax contain multiple requests ensure the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272) separates each request
• Do not handwrite transaction numbers on the ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272)
• Should a fax have two unsuccessful transmissions after two hours, please do not resend the package as sending multiple faxes adds congestion resulting in further delays in processing shipments. Please call the NISC and NSO and if directed to do so, the package can be e-mailed to our new generic account: [email protected]. It is important that you only use this email address if directed to do so by a NISC specialist. The primary means of processing submissions is still via the 613-773-9999 number
• When completing an EDI submission, please ensure all corresponding paperwork is faxed simultaneously with the submission
• When submitting ‘Request for Documentation Review’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5272) or response to ‘Import Service Center Reject Notice’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5353) ensure the fax is right side up.
• When submitting a response to ‘Import Service Center Reject Notice’ form (CFIA/ACIA 5353) ensure only missing documentation is sent. Should the Import Specialist request to resend the entire package, please call the NISC and NSO to make arrangements for the package to be e-mailed to our new generic account: [email protected].

The CFIA is committed to maintaining established service standards with minimal disruption to clients. In order to ensure operations continue as smoothly as possible the CFIA is asking that all importers follow these guidelines.

The National Import Service Centre processes import request documentation / data sent by the importing community across Canada and provides frontline screening to ensure that imported products meet Canadian requirements. Regulatory compliance and the safety of food and agricultural commodities imported into Canada are a priority for the CFIA.

National Import Service Centre

7:00 a.m. to 03:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Telephone and EDI: 1-800-835-4486 (Canada or U.S.A.)

1-289-247-4099 (local calls and all other countries)

Facsimile: 1-613-773-9999

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