Reminder: CFIA import requirements for taxidermied animal products entering Canada have been updated.
For taxidermied animals originating from countries that have been evaluated by CFIA for the import of animal products and by-products, a zoosanitary certificate is now required. The certificate must state that an official veterinarian of the exporting country has examined the taxidermied animal and/or supervised its taxidermy process.
Shipments meeting this requirement must be referred to NISC with the zoosanitary certificate at the time of release via either the IID or submitting 5272 Request for document review.
This new wording was published in AIRS on September 11, 2025, and a three-month transition period applied for shipments that departed the country of origin prior to that date. The transition period ended on December 11, 2025.
For taxidermied animals from countries that have not been evaluated by CFIA, the shipment must be referred for inspection at the first point of entry by a CFIA inspector. In these cases, the item must:
- Be fully taxidermied
- Be clean and free of dirt, blood, untreated tissue, and residue
- Be packaged to prevent cross-contamination with other animal products or by-products in the shipment
Items that do not meet these requirements will be ordered removed from Canada or disposed of at the importer’s expense.
We ask that brokers ensure these updated procedures are followed to avoid release delays, refusals, or unnecessary referrals. Referring compliant shipments to NISC with the required zoosanitary certification is now a critical step in the release process.
Notice to Industry: import requirements for taxidermied animals - https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/imports/import-policies/products-and-products/notice-industry-2025-08-29