CANADA

Capital: Ottawa
Population:  33,000,000
Currency: Dollar
Official Language(s): English and French

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      All produce sold in Canada must conform to the chemical residue level (MRL) standards found in Canadian Food and Drug Regulations.  Under these regulations, Canada sets a generic tolerance of 0.1 ppm for all commodity/pesticide combinations for which a specific tolerance has not been established.  However, Canada has proposed eliminating this generic tolerance in the near future.

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

      The Department of Health and Welfare monitors domestic and foreign produce on a regular basis at all points of sale - most often at the wholesale level. Randomly selected shipments of specified commodities are monitored for chemical residues.  Any MRL violations will result in the subsequent 15 shipments of product shipped from the same source to undergo either: 1) intensified testing by Health and Welfare; or 2) obtain pre-certification by a recognized laboratory that the produce meets Canadian standards.  If option 1 is chose, shipments will be held until compliance is verified.  If option 2 is chosen, the designated laboratory must provide its results within 24 hours.

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

      Provisions exist under Table VIII, Division 16 of the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations for the food additive use of paraffin wax, petrolatum and mineral oil as coatings on fresh produce at a maximum level of 0.3% (based on the weight of the fruit or vegetable). Other substances traditionally considered as food ingredients (e.g. cottonseed oil, palm oil, etc.) and food additives (e.g. beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, etc.) are not regulated for use as fruit coatings. However, the Health Protection Branch provides advisory opinions on the acceptability of use of these materials as components of fruit and vegetable coatings on a case-by-case basis.

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

In December of 2006 Canada published its new Organic Products Regulations.  A two year transition period is specified, making the implementation date December of 2008.  The accreditation and certification required under the regulation will be provided by independent third party organizations.  In the future, importers will be required to obtain a certificate from the competent authority of the country of origin testifying that the organic product destined for Canada meets its standards.

The commercial procedures for complying with this regulation will evolve as Canada and the U.S. determine what constitutes a competent authority.  The NHC is communicating with USDA/FAS in Ottawa on this topic and will update information to the export manual as it becomes available.     

No distinction is made between organic and non-organic foods with regard to import requirements.   All Canadian packaging and labeling, grade and inspection regulations apply equally to organic and conventionally produced foods.

Food products identified or labeled "organic" should comply with the National Standards for Organic Agriculture or may be in violation of Canada's Food and Drugs Act and its Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act.

For more information click on Canadian General Standards Board - Organic Agriculture.

Certification of organic products is currently voluntary in all provinces except Quebec.  Product certified as organic in Quebec must meet standards set by the Conseil d'accréditation du  Québec.  For further information consult the CAQ web site:  www.caaq.org

IV. TARIFFS

    Apples, pears, stone fruits and sweet cherries are allowed into Canada duty free.

    The Canadian International Trade Tribunal ruled on February 8, 2000 that dumping was not likely to resume in the foreseeable future and rescinded its findings concerning fresh whole Delicious and Red Delicious apples originating from the United States.  This decision was effective immediately and removed a long time trade irritant involving trade with that important market.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

    A. Labeling requirements:

      Fresh fruits and vegetables, whether pre-packaged or sold in bulk, are exempt from mandatory nutrition labeling.  However, they lose their exempt status if: 1) Other ingredients are included in the package; or 2) Nutrient content or health claims are made.

      For details please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

      Use of the "5 A Day the Color Way" does not constitute a health claim and is allowed.  The "5 A Day For Better Health" logo is not allowed in Canada.  For additional information contact the Produce for Better Health Foundation at 302/235-2329.

      Nutrition facts should conform to Canadian law.  U.S. nutrition facts labels are not allowed in Canada and any labels must be in both English and French.  For additional information, contact the Canadian Produce Marketing Association at 613/226-4187.

      Apples may be imported into Canada in any package commonly used in the United States, but may be sold at the retail level in packages only as specified in Schedule II of the Regulations, namely 3 lb. (1.36 kg) and 5 lb. (2.27 kg) bags.

      The required markings for shipping containers are:

      1) Product name - Apples
      2) Variety name - e.g. Red Delicious
      3) Size range, if loose packed
      4) Net quantity in pounds and/or kilograms
      5) Name and address of packer, shipper, etc.
      6) Country of origin statement, i.e. Product of U.S.A.

      Required markings for pre-packaged products, such as 3 lb. (1.36 kg) and 5 lb. (2.27 kg) poly bags are:

      1) Common name of the product (if the product is not readily visible)
      2) Net quantity, as 3 lb. (1.36 kg) or 5 lb. (2.27 kg)
      3) Name and address
      4) Country of origin
      5) Grade
      6) All markings except packer's name and address must be shown in English and in French.

      All the required labeling information may appear on the bag closure tag as opposed to the bag itself.  This was originally a two year test market program.  NHC has been told by officials of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that the program is still in effect.

      For additional information on labeling food at retail in Canada, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

    B. Seasonal restrictions:

None

    C. Licenses and quotas:

    None

    D. Currency Issues:

    None

    E. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

      There are no restrictions on pears or cherries.

      Stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and prunes) destined for British Columbia, Canada must be fumigated or approved under the "Pilot Project for the Oriental Fruit Moth Certification Program."

      Apple exports to British Columbia require a phytosanitary certificate (PC).  Fruit must be free from Rhagoletis pomonella (apple maggot).  A number of additional declarations (ADs) can be used to testify to the absence of apple maggot due to inspection and cold treatment or harvest from an area free of this pest.

      Canada accepts only Federal phytosanitary certificates (FPC's), PPQ Form 577, for eligible commodities entering Canada from the United States.

      To qualify for FPC, fumigation treatments, such as those done for the export of stone fruit to British Columbia, Canada, must be conducted in a USDA APHIS-certified fumigation chamber or, if treated in non-certified chambers, must be monitored using a fumiscope (or a similar device) to document methyl bromide concentrations and the length of the fumigation.  To become USDA certified, a fumigation chamber must undergo the type of testing required to qualify chambers such as those used for the fumigation of sweet cherries and apples to Japan. Fumiscopes are available from: Key Chemical and Equipment Co., Inc., 13195 49th St. No., Unit #A, Clearwater, FL 33762, Phone: (727)572-1159. 

    F. Other trade restrictions:

      1. Canadian produce importers must present a completed Confirmation of Sale (COS) form to Canada Customs for Agriculture Canada before the load will be released.

      Loads not accompanied by a COS form for Agriculture Canada will be held by Canada Customs until one is presented.

      No other document will be acceptable to Agriculture Canada. The COS may also be used to satisfy invoice requirements for Canada Customs (2 copies) and Health and Welfare Canada (1 copy) at time of release.

      Photocopies and facsimiles of the COS form will be accepted at time of release by Canada Customs.

      Two signatures are required at time of release, however, in cases where this is not possible, one signature of either the buyer or the seller or their agents on the COS form will be acceptable at the time of release. The second signature with date of signing is then required on the COS form within 24 hours of the product arriving at its scheduled destination.

      2. Under the authority of the Canada Agricultural Products Act, Canada prohibits bulk imports (and interprovincial trade) of fresh apples and pears unless the importer can obtain a special ministerial waiver of standard packaging rules. The prohibition applies to containers weighing more than 25 kilograms for apples and 50 kilograms for pears. Agriculture Canada only issues the waivers (also known as exemptions or easements) when local, domestic supplies are not available.

      3.  Effective May 17, 1995, compulsory grade standard inspection requirements were eliminated for many types of produce including pears.  Compulsory USDA grade standard inspections remain in place for apples.  Apples from the U.S. must meet Extra Fancy or Fancy Grade.

      4.  Effective July 25, 2003, when a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspection is requested at destination for apples or pears, condition defects will be reported on the certificate but they will not be scored against the grade and the product will not be detained for conditions defects.  This is a suspension of CFIA's special detention rules.  

      For more detailed information on exporting to Canada, please visit the Canadian Import, Export and Interprovincial Requirements for Fresh Fruit &  Vegetables website.

G.  Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM) Regulations:

VI.   SUBSIDIES

None.

VII.  MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY:

Northwest Cherry Growers:

Bernie Russell
Calgary, Canada
Voice:  403-256-6568
E-mail:  learuss@attcanada.ca

Washington Apple Commission:

Tom Corah
Calgary, Canada
Voice:  403-295-0985
FAX:   403-295-0946
E-mail:  tomcorah.wac@shaw.ca

VIII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental:

United States

Canada

Private:

IX. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

All products exported to Canada require a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) certificate.  For detailed information click on NAFTA:  A Guide to U.S. Customs Procedures.

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office - Canada

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615

E-mail general@nwhort.org