As of MARCH 15, 2021, food import transactions will automatically be rejected unless a valid SFC licence is entered in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID). You must obtain your SFC licence to import before presenting your shipment at the border. If a transaction is rejected, the SFC licence holder may experience delays and have their related food shipment(s) held at the border until the error is addressed and the import transaction is resubmitted.
Currently, importers of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, processed eggs, processed fruits or vegetables, honey, maple and fresh fruits or vegetables are required to hold a valid Safe Food for Canadians licence (SFC licence) to import food into Canada.
Importers are encouraged to review their SFC licence(s) and ensure ALL activities including “importing food as well as ALL of the commodity/commodities you anticipate importing into Canada are included on the SFC licence.
There is no fee to amend or update your SFC licence profile. Please review and make any necessary amendments to your SFC licence information using the My CFIA portal.
Please be aware that an SFC licence application or amendment request may take up to 15 business days to process, and can take longer if a pre-licence inspection is required.
If you are a non-resident importer, you must select “Importing Food” on your licence as well as the food commodity or commodities you intend to import. Do not select “Exporting Food”.
The term “export” is not specifically defined in the Safe Food for Canadians Act nor in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. In general term, export refers to sending food from Canada to a foreign state.
For more information, refer to Importing food into Canada with an SFC licence.