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Canada

Restricted

North America · As of 2026-02-21

Canada permits egg product imports under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) with CFIA licensing, but requires AIRS-listed country/product eligibility, CFIA import licensing, and compliance with the Food and Drug Regulations. China is listed in AIRS for certain processed egg products, making this a restricted but navigable pathway.

Market Access Overview

Canada regulates egg product imports through a two-authority framework: the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) controls import licensing and border inspection, while Health Canada sets food safety standards under the Food and Drugs Act.

Key Facts

  • Regulatory framework: Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) — replaced the former Egg Regulations in 2019
  • Primary gatekeeper: CFIA — issues Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licences and controls the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)
  • Import eligibility: Determined product-by-product and country-by-country via the AIRS database
  • Supply management: Canada’s egg industry operates under supply management; however, processed egg products (dried, liquid, frozen) face lower trade barriers than shell eggs
  • Tariff considerations: WTO Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) apply to some egg products; over-quota tariffs can exceed 15%

Access Status

China’s eligibility is complicated by its HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) status. CFIA’s zoosanitary requirements (updated December 2024) require certification that the exporting country/region/zone is HPAI- and vND-free. However, processed egg products may qualify under WOAH Terrestrial Code Articles 10.4.23 and 10.9.20 if processing inactivates HPAI and vND viruses (spray-drying, pasteurization at sufficient parameters).

Each product must be individually verified in AIRS for eligibility from China. Key requirements include:

  1. AIRS eligibility — the specific product from China must be eligible (query AIRS directly for current status)
  2. SFC Licence — Canadian importer must hold a valid licence (~70 business days to process)
  3. EIPA Import Permit — eggs are on the Import Control List (Items 135–139); TRQ allocation or General Import Permit No. 100 required
  4. Zoosanitary certificate — issued by GACC, certifying HPAI/vND status or WOAH-compliant processing
  5. Food safety compliance — meet Canadian MRLs, microbiological standards, and food additive rules

Regulatory Framework

Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) & Regulations (SFCR)

The SFCA (S.C. 2012, c. 24) and SFCR (SOR/2018-108) form the primary legal framework for food imports:

  • SFCR Part 5 — Import requirements for food commodities
  • SFCR Division 3 — Specific requirements for egg products
  • The SFCR consolidated and replaced the former Egg Regulations (C.R.C., c. 284) as of January 15, 2019
LegislationPurposeLink
Safe Food for Canadians Act (S.C. 2012, c. 24)Primary food safety and import control legislationlaws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SOR/2018-108)Detailed import, licensing, and traceability requirementslaws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Food and Drugs Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. F-27)Food safety standards, adulteration, labelinglaws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870)MRLs, food additives, composition standardslaws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Health of Animals Act (S.C. 1990, c. 21)Controls animal product imports to prevent HPAI/vND introductionlaws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Export and Import Permits Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. E-19)Import permits for supply-managed products (eggs on ICL Items 135–139)laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

Import Licensing (CFIA)

SFC Licence Requirement

All importers of egg products must hold a valid Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) Licence issued by CFIA:

ItemDetail
Application systemMy CFIA portal: inspection.canada.ca/food-licences
Licence typeImport — eggs/processed egg sub-commodities
Processing timeAverage 70 business days — apply well in advance
Preventive control planRequired — written PCP covering hazard identification, CCP, monitoring procedures
TraceabilityMandatory — one-step forward, one-step back traceability records
CBSA enforcementSince March 15, 2021, IID transactions are automatically rejected without valid SFC licence number (CBSA Customs Notice 24-03)

AIRS (Automated Import Reference System)

The AIRS database is the definitive reference for determining whether a specific product from a specific country is eligible for import into Canada:

EIPA Import Permit (Import Control List)

Eggs and egg products are on Canada’s Import Control List (Items 135–139) under the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA). In addition to the SFC licence, an import permit is required:

ItemDetail
Import Control List itemsItems 135–139 cover eggs and egg products
TRQ allocationImport permits issued to allocation holders under WTO, CPTPP, or CUSMA TRQ frameworks
Without TRQ allocationGoods enter under General Import Permit No. 100 at significantly higher “over access commitment” duty rates
Administered byGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC)
GAC Notices to Importers:international.gc.ca — eggs notices
Commodity codes handbookB-27: Eggs

Import Process

StepActionDetail
1Verify AIRS eligibilitySearch AIRS for specific product + China origin
2Obtain SFC LicenceCanadian importer applies via My CFIA portal
3Prepare documentationHealth certificate from GACC, commercial documents
4Pre-arrival notificationVia CFIA’s Automated Import Notification System
5Border inspectionCFIA inspects at designated port of entry
6Release or detentionCompliant goods released; non-compliant detained

Required Documents Per Shipment

DocumentIssued By
Zoosanitary certificate (veterinary certificate with HPAI/vND statements)GACC (China’s competent authority)
Food safety certificate (in CFIA-approved format)GACC
EIPA import permit (TRQ allocation or GIP No. 100)Global Affairs Canada
Commercial invoiceExporter
Packing listExporter
Bill of lading / Airway billCarrier
Certificate of originChinese chamber of commerce
Certificate of analysisAccredited laboratory (if required by AIRS conditions)

Food Safety Standards

Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)

Canada’s MRL framework operates under the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) and the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA):

Veterinary Drug MRLs

SubstanceMRL (mg/kg)Notes
Chlortetracycline0.4Eggs
Oxytetracycline0.2Eggs
Sulfadimethoxine0.1Eggs
IvermectinNot permittedNo MRL established for eggs
FluoroquinolonesNot permittedEnrofloxacin banned in food-producing poultry

Pesticide MRLs

Contaminant Limits

ContaminantLimitReference
Lead0.20 mg/kgFDR, Division 15
CadmiumPer Codex alignmentHealth Canada guidance
Mercury0.5 mg/kg (total)Health Canada guidance
Melamine2.5 mg/kg (food)Health Canada interim standard
Dioxins/furansPer Codex guidelinesHealth Canada guidance

Microbiological Standards

ParameterRequirement
SalmonellaNot detected in 25g
Listeria monocytogenesNot detected in 25g (ready-to-eat)
E. coli≤100 CFU/g (processed egg products)
Aerobic plate countPer CFIA guidelines
Staphylococcal enterotoxinsNot detected

Reference: CFIA Microbiological Standards and Guidelines

Labeling Requirements

Egg products imported into Canada must comply with labeling requirements under the SFCR, Food and Drug Regulations, and Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act:

RequirementDetail
LanguageEnglish AND French (both official languages mandatory)
Product nameCommon name as prescribed in FDR (e.g., “dried whole egg”, “egg white powder”)
Ingredients listDescending order by weight; priority allergens in prescribed format
Net quantityMetric units (grams or kilograms)
Date marking”Best before” date + storage instructions
ImporterName and principal place of business in Canada
Country of originMandatory: “Product of China” or equivalent
Nutrition Facts tableMandatory — per SFCR and FDR, Part B, Division 1
Priority allergensEggs are a priority allergen — must be declared even when the product IS an egg product; declaration for cross-contamination
Font sizeMinimum height based on principal display panel area

Bilingual Labeling

  • Both English and French text required on all mandatory label elements
  • Exemptions exist only for certain specialty foods; egg products do NOT qualify
  • Reference: CFIA Food Labelling Requirements

Tariffs & Trade

Supply Management & TRQs

Canada’s egg sector operates under supply management, with Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) controlling import volumes:

CategoryIn-Quota TariffOver-Quota TariffNotes
Egg products (dried, liquid, frozen)0–3%~15.8–17.6%Varies by HS code
Shell eggsSubject to TRQUp to 238.5%Highly restricted

CPTPP Considerations

Both China and Canada are signatories to various trade agreements, though China is not a CPTPP member. Standard MFN tariff rates apply.

Regulatory Authorities

AuthorityRoleWebsite
CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)Import licensing, AIRS, border inspection, food safety enforcementinspection.canada.ca
Health CanadaMRLs, food safety standards, food additives, labeling policycanada.ca/en/health-canada
CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency)Customs clearance, tariff classification, duty collectioncbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Global Affairs CanadaTRQ administration, trade agreementsinternational.gc.ca
GACC (China)Export registration, health certificate issuancecustoms.gov.cn

Risk Notes

  • AIRS eligibility is product-specific — not all egg product types from China may be listed; verify each specific product (dried whole egg, egg white powder, liquid egg, etc.) individually
  • Supply management creates trade barriers — TRQs limit import volumes and over-quota tariffs are prohibitive for some categories
  • Bilingual labeling is mandatory — English AND French on all labels; non-compliance results in border rejection
  • HPAI suspensions — Canada monitors avian influenza status; outbreaks in China can trigger temporary import restrictions
  • Preventive control plan required — Canadian importer must maintain a documented PCP; CFIA may audit
  • CFIA inspection rates — New products/suppliers may face elevated inspection rates (up to 100%) initially
  • Allergen declaration — Canada has strict priority allergen labeling; cross-contamination precautionary statements must follow prescribed formats

Action Checklist

  • Search AIRS database to confirm specific egg products from China are eligible
  • Confirm GACC registration is current (Decree 249)
  • Canadian importer obtains SFC Licence via My CFIA portal
  • Develop Preventive Control Plan (PCP) meeting SFCR requirements
  • Establish traceability system (one-step forward/back)
  • Verify product meets Canadian MRL limits — especially veterinary drugs banned in Canada
  • Prepare bilingual labels (English + French) meeting SFCR and FDR requirements
  • Include Nutrition Facts table and priority allergen declaration
  • Obtain health certificate from GACC meeting AIRS-specified conditions
  • Check TRQ status and determine applicable tariff rates via CBSA
  • If over-quota tariff applies, assess whether an Import Allocation from Global Affairs Canada is available
  • Submit pre-arrival notification to CFIA
  • Budget for potential elevated CFIA inspection rates for initial shipments

Sources

Legislation

CFIA (Import & Inspection)

Health Canada (MRLs & Standards)

Tariffs & Trade

Other