CFIA: Changes to Import Notification Requirements

(CFIA)

As part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to food safety, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is initiating new import notification requirements for selected commodities regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations.

The intent of this initiative is to improve the availability of information to assist in the identification and tracking of food products in the event of a food safety issue and is not designed nor intended to impede the trade of safe food products.

In order to facilitate this initiative, the new import notification requirements will be implemented in a phased-in approach starting with 14 priority commodities. These commodities will be coded using the International Harmonized System code (HS code) and CFIA’s Automated Imported Reference System (AIRS) Codes.

The commodities identified in Table 2 and their corresponding HS codes will be added to the CFIA’s HS Code Filter List. This will require importers to identify these products by using the HS Code and CFIA AIRS extension as outlined in Table 2. Additional commodities will be added in future in priority sequence. The latest CFIA HS Code filter list is available here.

Effective March 15, 2010, Importers/Brokers will be expected to notify the CFIA of the commodities listed in Table 2 via the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) using the updated HS codes and CFIA AIRS extension. Failure to do so may result in CBSA rejecting the release request.

The extended implementation time is designed to allow those importers/brokers who currently do not have an EDI profile to apply for one, and to develop and test the compatibility of their data systems with the CFIA. To obtain an EDI profile, importers/brokers are required to complete the application and testing processes with both CBSA ACROSS Phase III and then with the CFIA. The CFIA Automated Import System (AIS) Participant’s Information Document provides more information on EDI and becoming a CFIA EDI client.

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

Any questions regarding this notice should be directed to the Area Import Coordinator in your region. Their contact information is in Table 1.