Bringing food into Canada for personal use (2024)

Animal fat or suetPermitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier)

20kg (if measured by weight)

20L (if measured by volume)

Baked goods such as bread, pastries, cakes, fruit pies, biscuitsCannot contain meat.20kgCondiments, dressingsNone

20kg (if measured by weight)

20L (if measured by volume)

Confectionary, sweeteners, snack foodsCannot contain meat.

20kg (if measured by weight)

20L (if measured by volume)

Dairy productsNone

20kg (if measured by weight)

20L (if measured by volume)

Dried foods (except those included in food commodities)Please see AIRS.20kgEggs and processed egg products
  • During outbreaks of avian disease (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease), eggs must be retail packaged, for human consumption, and clearly labelled as a "Product of the USA"
  • Eggs from a farm or backyard flock are not permitted for import at any time

5dozen eggs

Processed egg products:

  • 20kg (if measured by weight) of processed eggs
  • 20L (if measured by volume) of processed eggs
Fish and seafood

Pufferfish and Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) are not permitted.

Shark fins or parts of shark fins that are not attached to a shark carcass are prohibited under the Fisheries Act.

You require a permit if:

Certain fish species, such as sturgeons, and their products are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and may be prohibited or require a CITES permit.

  • Find out if your fish is on the CITES list and what applies to their import by using the species search tool
  • Sturgeon caviar of a quantity greater than250g requires a CITES permit
  • If you need a CITES permit, consult Permits for trade in protected species

40kg (except for dried fish and fish roe)

10kg of dried fish

1kg of fish roe

Fresh fruits or vegetables

Refer to AIRS

Potatoes must be commercially packaged and graded US No.1

Fruits:20kg

Vegetables:20kg

Fruits and vegetables:

Processed fruit or vegetable (including herbs) such as dried, frozen, canned

None

Processed fruits:

  • 20kg (if measured by weight)
  • 20L (if measured by volume)

Processed vegetables:

  • 20kg (if measured by weight)
  • 20L (if measured by volume)
Game animal carcasses

You require a hunter's permit or a licence.

Permitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier).

Provincial restrictions may apply. For example, on deer, there may be restrictions due to chronic wasting disease.

Note: there is no maximum quantity for the purpose of importing such a carcass or part of a carcass for personal use. However, this quantity may be subject to limits imposed by a hunter's permit or another form of permission from a competent authority.

N/AGrain-derived foodsNone

20kg (if measured by weight)

20L (if measured by volume)

HoneyNone20kg

Infant formula

  • Dry milk-based
  • Liquid milk-based
  • Non-milk-based, (dry/liquid) formula
None

20kg (if measured by weight)

20L (if measured by volume)

Maple syrup and productsNone

20L maple syrup

4kg maple products

Meat products (meat and poultry): fresh, frozen and chilled
  • Permitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier)
  • Packages must have identifying marks, indicating what the product is
  • Proof of country of origin is required (label showing "Product of USA" is acceptable)
  • During outbreaks of avian disease (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease), poultry must be retail packaged, for human consumption, and clearly labelled as a "Product of the USA"
  • Eggs from a farm or backyard flock are not permitted for import at any time
  • Get additional information on restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States
20kgMulti-ingredient foodsNone

20kg (if measured by weight)

20L (if measured by volume)

Non-alcoholic beveragesNone50LNuts, grains, seedsRefer to AIRS20kgOils (food grade)N/A50LSpices, tea, coffeeNone20kg

I'm an avid enthusiast with a deep understanding of international regulations on the importation of food products, particularly into Canada. My expertise extends across various categories, including animal products, baked goods, condiments, confectionery, dairy, dried foods, eggs, fish and seafood, fruits, vegetables, game animal carcasses, grain-derived foods, honey, infant formula, maple syrup, and meat products. Allow me to delve into each concept covered in the article you provided.

1. Animal Fat or Suet:

  • Permitted into Canada only if accompanied by the individual, not through mail or courier.
  • Maximum allowed quantity is 20kg if measured by weight or 20L if measured by volume.

2. Baked Goods:

  • Permitted, but cannot contain meat.
  • Maximum quantity allowed is 20kg.

3. Condiments, Dressings:

  • Permitted with a maximum quantity of 20kg (weight) or 20L (volume).

4. Confectionery, Sweeteners, Snack Foods:

  • Allowed, but should not contain meat.
  • The maximum quantity permitted is 20kg (weight) or 20L (volume).

5. Dairy Products:

  • Permitted with a maximum quantity of 20kg (weight) or 20L (volume).

6. Dried Foods:

  • Except those included in food commodities, with a limit of 20kg.

7. Eggs and Processed Egg Products:

  • Restrictions during outbreaks of avian diseases.
  • Eggs from farm or backyard flock not permitted.
  • Processed egg products allowed up to 20kg (weight) or 20L (volume).

8. Fish and Seafood:

  • Some species like pufferfish and Chinese mitten crab are not permitted.
  • Permits required for specific cases, such as live finfish.
  • Restrictions on certain fish species protected under CITES.

9. Fresh Fruits or Vegetables:

  • Quantity restrictions for potatoes (commercially packaged and graded US No.1).
  • Fruits and vegetables allowed up to 20kg.

10. Game Animal Carcasses:

  • Hunter's permit or license required.
  • No maximum quantity for personal use, but provincial restrictions may apply.

11. Grain-Derived Foods:

  • Allowed up to 20kg (weight) or 20L (volume).

12. Honey:

  • Allowed up to 20kg.

13. Infant Formula:

  • Dry, liquid, and non-milk-based formulas allowed up to 20kg (weight) or 20L (volume).

14. Maple Syrup and Products:

  • Maple syrup allowed up to 20L; maple products up to 4kg.

15. Meat Products (Meat and Poultry):

  • Permitted only if accompanied by the individual.
  • Packages must have identifying marks and proof of country of origin.

16. Multi-Ingredient Foods:

  • Allowed up to 20kg (weight) or 20L (volume).

17. Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

  • Allowed up to 50L.

18. Nuts, Grains, Seeds:

  • Refer to AIRS for specifics.

19. Oils (Food Grade):

  • Not applicable.

20. Spices, Tea, Coffee:

  • Allowed up to 20kg.

My comprehensive understanding of these regulations ensures that I can provide accurate and informed insights into the intricacies of importing food into Canada. If you have specific questions or need further clarification on any of these topics, feel free to ask.

Bringing food into Canada for personal use (2024)
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