1. This memorandum has been updated to reflect current information and procedures.

2. Requirements for the importation of aquatic species related to amendments of the Health of Animals Regulations have been added.

3. Paragraphs 79 and 80 – Provincial/Territorial Requirements – have been added.

This memorandum contains the guidelines that apply to commercial and non-commercial importations of food, plants, animals (FPA) and related products as regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) including:

• Animal feed
• Animal and plant pathogens, including microorganisms and biological material
• Fertilizers, fertilizer-pesticide combination products, soil supplements and growing media
• Fish, seafood and fish products
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Grains, seeds, and nuts
• Live animals including:
  • terrestrial animals
  • aquatic animals (including gametes and germplasm)
  • animal semen and embryos
  • hatching eggs
  • honey bees
• Pet food and treats
• Plants and plant products
• Processed fruits and vegetables, and maple products
• Products and by-products of animal origin including:
  • meat and meat products, including glands and organs (edible and inedible)
  • eggs and egg products
  • milk and milk products
  • honey, beeswax and propolis
  • hides, skins, feathers, wool and trophies
  • manure
  • rendered animal meals and rendered animal fats
  • animal carcasses, parts and derivatives
  • aquatic animal carcasses, parts of carcasses and offal
  • animal samples (tissues, blood, feces, etc.)
• Roots, bulbs and tubers and other plant matter for propagation
• Soil and related matter
• Wood and wood products

This memorandum also applies to items that are infested or contaminated with CFIA-regulated matter, such as soil, pests, blood, feces and organic tissue. 

The importation or exportation of FPA and related products may also be regulated by other government departments such as Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Global Affairs Canada. Information on these requirements is not included in this memorandum, but can be found in the following CBSA memoranda:   

Environment and Climate Change Canada: Memorandum D19-7-1, Interpretation of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Memorandum D19-8-5, Import Prohibitions and Requirements for Commercial Importers of Aquatic Species and for Travellers under the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations.

Global Affairs Canada: Memorandum D19-10-2, Export and Import Permits Act (Importations) and Memorandum D10-18-1, Tariff Rate Quotas.

In addition, although the importation of human pathogens is not regulated by the CFIA, there are pathogens that are both human and animal (zoonotic) and these are regulated by both the CFIA and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). PHAC is responsible for the administration of certain provisions of the Health of Animals Act and Health of Animals Regulations. It issues import permits and transfer authorizations for most terrestrial animal pathogens (excluding aquatic animals, bees, invertebrates and pathogens that cause emerging or foreign animal diseases). For more information consult the PHAC Laboratory Safety and Biosecurity website.

This Memorandum is available in its entirety on the CBSA website.