New Aquatic Animal Import Regulation Enforcement Begins April 8

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Apr 03, 2013

Sweeping changes have been made to the Canadian Import Requirements for Aquatic Animal Imports under the National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP). Effective April 8, 2013, import permits will be required for certain targeted species whether they are live, dead, smoked, etc. Information regarding the import permit requirements as well as the targeted species affected by the import permit requirements can be found on the following website: Canadian Food Inspection Agency. These changes will target the importation of finfish, molluscs and crustaceans entering Canada.

The NAAHP has been developed to help prevent the introduction of aquatic diseases in the targeted species and prevent the spread of any such diseases. It was also developed to help with the requirement for Health Certification for exports from Canada. The program is administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Impact on Seafood Importers:

If you are an importer of seafood products to Canada, it is important that you read the regulations and understand the necessity of import permits and when they are required.

Required Information on Documentation:

As a result of these changes, it is absolutely imperative that the following information be provided on documentation for shipments destined for Canada.

• the taxonomic (scientific) name or the taxonomic serial number (TSN)

• the exact description of the product being imported including eviscerated or other for finfish, fresh, chilled or frozen excluding fillets

• the full name of the Exporter and Importer

• quantity including number of containers and weight

• country of origin

Examples of Proper Commodity Description:

The following are two examples of a proper commodity description for imports:

• Pacific Sockeye Salmon (oncorhynchus nerka) or (TSN 161979), fresh, eviscerated

• American Lobster (homarus americanus) or (TSN 97314), ready to eat, frozen

Note:

Failure to provide proper information on shipments destined for Canada, may result in your shipment being held up at the border pending receipt of required information.

At ABC Customs Brokers, we understand the urgent nature of perishable products and pride ourselves on our reputation for servicing the seafood industry. We look forward to hearing from you with any questions on this matter.

Additional Reading:

Aquatic Animal Imports – Are Your Permits in Place?