This notice is to inform importers and brokers that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has successfully updated the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to include the Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence requirement for the food commodities that now require a SFC licence.
Due to the numerous changes to the AIRS database, we encourage the users to consult AIRS to view the most recent updates to the CFIA regulated food products and to obtain pertinent information. For those importers/brokers using the AIRS Verification Service (AVS), AVS currently reflects all updated AIRS information.
For more information regarding the HS codes being changed, see Changes to harmonized system (HS) codes.
The new Safe Food for Canadians Licence is AIRS Registration Type # 893.
- For those submitting declarations using the Other Government Department Pre-Arrival Review System or Release on Minimum Documentation (OGD PARS/RMD) the licence should be declared as an alpha-numeric AIRS registration.
- For those submitting declarations using the Integrated Import Declaration (IID) the licence should be declared as a Dematerialized Licence, Permit, Certificate, and Other document (LPCO).
Valid registrations/licences issued under the previous regulations are still valid until their expiration/renewal date provided they contain the following statement:
"This certificate is issued in accordance with the [name the Regulations]. This registration, licence, permit or authorization is also a licence that is issued under the Safe Food for Canadians Act upon its commencement day."
For more information regarding the list of registration types see the CFIA AIRS Registration Type list
If you have any questions, please contact the National Import Service Centre.