Canadian Border - Processing of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

As of late 2010, products moving into Canada have been subject to new regulations and changes, particularly to border processing of fresh fruit and vegetables. Here is a review of the changes:

1. Release requests presented in paper form must have a Confirmation of Sale (COS) presented, which is the importer's evidence that there is a firm purchase agreement. The form is reviewed by a Customs officer at the product's point of entry, and is relayed to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The COS form presented in triplicate, completed, and signed, is required at the time of entry. Importers must maintain the COS in their records and be prepared to present it upon request of the CFIA.


2. The license number of the importer under the CFIA Licensing and Arbitration Regulations or the importer's member number through the Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) must be included in the data elements that are submitted to the CFIA through EDI, or if EDI is not used, on the paper documents that are submitted at time of release. Hence, either of these numbers now needs to appear on the COS.


3. Non-resident importers are not allowed to obtain a CFIA license number, but may obtain a DRC membership and number.

To date, the number of issues regarding the lack of CFIA license or DRC member numbers appearing on the COS or in the electronic system has declined due to combined forces working to get appropriate memberships, and these following membership numbers into the system.

UWC will continue to monitor this new regulation and work to make sure the appropriate numbers are on COS's as to reduce border delays and any issues that may arise.

If you have any further questions regarding this topic, please visit the CFIA website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/frefra/cdnreqe.shtml.