CFIA: New Requirements for Importing Fresh Fruit and Vegetables HS Codes Starting with 07 and 08

(CSCB – CFIA)1. Attestation of Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) federal produce licence number or Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) membership number

Under the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations, Canadian purchasers of fresh fruit and vegetables are required to be licensed with the CFIA and/or be a member of the DRC, if they are not exempt from the Regulations.

Importers submitting information for paper release will be required to enter the above information on the Confirmation of Sale (COS) form in box 22.

Importers transmitting information through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) will be required to enter their federal produce licence number, their DRC membership number or indicate that they are exempt from the requirements of the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations in the “Registration Requirements” field. In those cases where the importer is a non-resident importer, the Canadian consignee’s federal produce licence or DRC membership number must be entered.

2. Mexican Cantaloupes

Currently, cantaloupes from Mexico may only be imported if the grower/packer has been certified by the Mexican government under the Mexican Cantaloupe Certification Program. Importers are required to enter the name of the certified grower/packer company as listed by SENASICA on the COS form in box 22.

Importers of cantaloupes from Mexico, transmitting information through EDI will be required to enter the name of the grower/packer company in the “Registration Requirements” field. If cantaloupes are imported from multiple certified grower/packers, all grower/packers must be identified in the “Registration Requirements” field.

A list of certified grower/packers can be obtained from SENASICA on the SENASICA website at http://www.senasica.gob.mx/?id=712, which is also accessible through the CFIA website http://www.inspection.gc.ca by following these links: “Food”, “Fresh fruits and Vegetables”, “Imports and Interprovincial Trade”, “Country Specific Requirements”, “Mexico - Cantaloupes”.

3. California Leafy Greens

Leafy greens from California may only be imported if the product has been handled by a signatory handler (certified member) of the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement.
Importers of leafy greens from California submitting information for paper release are required to enter the name of the signatory handler in box 22 of the COS.

Importers of Californian leafy greens transmitting information through EDI will be required to enter the name of the signatory handler (certified member) in the “Registration Requirements” field. If leafy greens are imported from multiple handlers, all handlers must be identified in the “Registration Requirements” field.

A list of signatory handlers (certified members) can be obtained from the California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (LGMA) website, a link also provided through the CFIA website.
As a result of the these changes importers transmitting through EDI will no longer be required to present a hard copy of the COS form at time of entry to CBSA. A hard copy of the COS form will continue to be a requirement for transactions not transmitted through EDI.

The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) will be updated to reflect these changes in import procedures.

Importers should be aware that, although a hard copy of the COS form will no longer be required at time of entry for EDI transmissions, licensees and DRC members are required to maintain documentation that sets out the terms and condi tions of their purchases. This information is a vital requirement for resolution of any disputes.

Implementation of the above changes will come into effect on December 1, 2010. Should you have any questions on the above requirements, please contact John Wood, A/Chief, Imports, Agrifood Division at john.wood@inspection.gc.ca or (204) 984-6186.

If you wish to confirm your CFIA federal produce licence number, please refer to the CFIA website http://www.inspection.gc.ca following the “Food” and “Fresh Fruit and Vegetable” links, or contact Manon Dicaire at manon.dicaire@inspection.gc.ca. Information in regard to a DRC membership number can be obtained from Dawn Hughes at dhughes@fvdrc.com or by consulting http://www.fvdrc.com.On December 1, 2010, the CFIA federal produce licence number, or alternatively the Canadian DRC membership number, or a declaration of exemption will be required to be part of the submission of import documentation for shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables coming to Canada. This will improve the information available regarding the identity of the importers and traceability of product.