Changes to Import Notification Requirements for Products in the Non–Federally Registered Sector

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Jul 31, 2012

This notice is to inform importers and brokers that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be implementing phase 10 of the changes to import notification requirements for products in the non-federally registered food sector effective October 29, 2012.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is continuing to implement changes to import notification requirements for commodities that fall under its jurisdiction.

This initiative should improve the availability of the information the CFIA uses to identify and track food products when food safety issues occur. It will not have an effect on the trade of safe food products.

The changes will be implemented in about 12 phases.

Effective October 29, 2012, phase 10 of this initiative will come into effect.

• This phase includes select commodities under Harmonized System (HS) Chapter 22 as identified in Annex 1.
  • The HS is an international goods classification system used in Canada to classify imported and exported goods.
• The corresponding HS codes for these commodities will be added to the CFIA's HS Code List.
• As an importer or broker you will be expected to notify the CFIA of the importation of these commodities by using the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for electronic release. If you fail to do this, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may reject the release request.
• No additional requirements for admissibility will be put in place for these commodities at this time.

If you do not have an EDI profile, you must obtain one by completing the application and testing processes with:

• the CBSA's Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System (ACROSS) Phase III Release System, and
• then with the CFIA's Automated Import System (AIS): EDI Release System.

You need to:

1. Contact the CBSA to submit your ACROSS EDI application to them.
2. Contact the CFIA to submit a CFIA application.
3. Once the applications have been approved, start the testing process with the CBSA's ACROSS Phase III Release System.
4. Once this testing is completed, complete a series of tests with CFIA's AIS: EDI Release System.

The Automated Import System (AIS) Participant's Information Document provides more information on the EDI, including details on how to submit your application. It also contains information on becoming a CFIA EDI client.

To get a copy of this document, contact:
CFIA EDI Coordinator
Email: EDICoordination@inspection.gc.ca
Phone: 613-773-5322

If you have questions about this notice, contact the CFIA's Area import coordinator in your region.

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