Aquatic Animal Imports – Are Your Permits in Place?

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ABC Customs Brokers Mar 07, 2013

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has made changes to the import requirements for aquatic animals.

This includes finfish, crustaceans and molluscs when they are included in the list of species considered susceptible to aquatic animal diseases.

Import permit enforcement stages:

Import permit enforcement is happening in 3 stages with the first 2 already accomplished. The third and final stage is the one which will have the most impact on commercial importers.

1^st stage – December 10, 2012 imports for; aquaculture, bait, public aquarium, manufacturing of feed for aquatic animals, stocking and religious uses

2^nd stage – February 4, 2013 imports for; commercial or personal aquariums, feeding aquatic animals, testing, holding units, research and educational uses

3^rd and final stage – April 8, 2013 imports for; food service, retail use, further processing for human consumption and Canadian goods returning to Canada.

Exemptions to Import Requirements for Aquatic Animals:

Exemptions to the regulations may apply, some of these are:

• Eviscerated (gutted)

• Already processed, including eviscerated and flash frozen, dried, smoked, salted, brined, pickled, deep fried, etc.

• Individually packaged products for sale to the consumer, and

• Ready to eat products sold directly to the consumer

Use of these last two exemptions must be applied with caution; the final decision rests with the CFIA and will depend on the risk assessment of individual products.  Risk assessments must be done prior to the import of your product or you will need an import permit.

IMPORTANT:

At time of import the invoice description is going to play a very prominent role in determination of when an import permit is required.  Your customs broker will need the species name and TSN (Taxonomic Serial Number) to first determine if the product being imported is a susceptible species. Once that has been determined, then a very detailed description of how the produce is prepared, if at all, will be needed to satisfy the information requirements. Industry accepted terms like ready-to-eat, shell on, dressed, etc., will not be sufficient for the CFIA or your broker to determine the import requirements at time of import entry.

For more information check the CFIA website or contact your local CFIA Program Specialist.

Atlantic Area

Lisa Myers -Atlantic
Veterinarian – Animal Health Program Specialist
Meat Hygiene Animal Health Programs – Atlantic
Telephone: (506) 851-4743 Fax: (506) 851-2801
Internet: lisa.myers@inspection.gc.ca
Federal Building
Floor 5th floor
1081 MAIN STREET
PO BOX 6088
MONCTON NB E1C 8R2
Canada

Quebec Area

Dr Hélène Soucy -  Quebec
Program Specialist – Aquatic Animal Health
Terrestrial Animal Health Division – Quebec Area
Telephone: (514) 283-3815 (4309) Fax: (514) 283-6214
Internet: helene.soucy@inspection.gc.ca
Room 671-S
2001 UNIVERSITY ST
MONTREAL QC H3A 3N2
Canada

Western Area

Dr Gary Kruger, DVM – Western Canada
Veterinary Program Specialist
Animal Health Programs – Western
Telephone: (403) 292-5825 Fax: (403) 292-6629
Internet: gary.kruger@inspection.gc.ca
1115 57 AVENUE NORTH EAST
CALGARY AB T2E 9B2
Canada

Ontario Area

Edward H. Creighton D.V.M. –Ontario
Area Program Specialist, Aquatic Animal Health (AAH) Program
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
174 Stone Road West
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 4S9
Tel #: 519-826-2854
Fax #: 519-837-9770
ed.creighton@inspection.gc.ca