Canada (CA)
Fish products for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department) is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exports.
All premises involved in the production of fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the Department. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the Department's Dairy, Eggs and Fish program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.
Exceptions to establishment registration
Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021:
- liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
- dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
- fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
- fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
- fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
- fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;
- Note
- However, if Canada requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the Department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for fish products for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for Canada | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
Whole finfish (head on, not gutted), shell on bivalves (frozen or unfrozen), shell on gastropods (other than abalone) and shell on crustaceans considered susceptible to Canada's aquatic animal diseases of concern are currently unable to be certified for export.
Exporters who are interested in exporting these products are encouraged to contact the Export Standards Branch. For more information, please refer to section 5.2.
1.4 Access for fish products for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| Finfish | Yes1 |
| Bivalves (for example, oysters, scallops, mussels, oysters, clams, cockles) | Yes1 |
| Crustaceans (for example, crab, prawn, lobster, scampi, crayfish) | Yes1 |
| Echinoderms (for example, sea urchins, sea cucumber) | Yes1 |
| Gastropods (for example, abalone, periwinkles) | Yes1 |
| Cephalopods (for example, squid, cuttlefish, octopus) | Yes1 |
| Tunicates (for example, sea squirts) | Yes1 |
| Crocodile | No agreed certification |
1Important information on ineligible and eligible product is available at Section 6 Documentation requirements and should be read in conjunction with this table. | |
The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is a reference tool that shows the import requirements for Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulated commodities. Users can search AIRS by commodity name and HS Code. To access AIRS: Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca).
2.1 Harvest
Sourcing of fish and fish products
Aquaculture, whole (shell on), non-viable abalone for food service and retail use
- Abalone farms must participate in the Abalone Health Accreditation Program and provide evidence of their current participation to the processing establishment.
- The processing establishment needs to obtain evidence in the form of a participation certificate which is issued by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the state/territory the farm is located and maintain that evidence as part of their approved supplier program. The certification must provide evidence of currency (for example, must have start and end dates for participation period).
- Any other susceptible aquatic animals which contact the abalone to be exported during pre-embarkation must be free of the disease of concern* specific to the species being exported.
- Potable water must be used for washing, rinsing or glazing abalone during processing.
- Until approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, seawater may not be used for processing the abalone, regardless of whether it has been filtered and ultraviolet radiation treated.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency advised that washing of the abalone in the water they are grown in, at the time of harvest, is acceptable.
- The abalone prepared for export to Canada must be traceable back to the farm.
- The abalone must be packaged for retail sale.
- Abalone from different farms must not be mixed in the same package.
Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles
Canada has no agreed certification to export crocodile meat and crocodile products to Canada.
2.2 Microbial and residue sampling
Canada has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of fish and fish products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
Canada residue standards
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in Canada or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between Canada and Australia.
Food business operators should note that:
- These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the Canada standards and the Australian standards.
- Any detection of a residue above the Canada MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.
- Note
- Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.
2.3 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation
Canada has no known specific operational hygiene requirements that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
2.4 Premises and equipment
Canada has no known specific requirements for premise construction or equipment that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.1 Live fish
Canada has no known specific requirements for the preparation of live fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.2 Non-viable fish
Other than the specific treatment requirements for Shell on Abalone, Canada has no known specific requirements for the preparation of non-viable fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.3 Crocodile
There is no agreed certification to export crocodile meat to Canada.
3.4 Packaging
Canada has no known specific requirements for packaging that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.5 Labelling
Exporters should work with their importer to determine if there are specific requirements for labelling, use-by date, trade description and shipping marks (port marks).
Aquaculture, whole (shell on), non-viable abalone for food service and retail use must be labelled as follows:
- A visible, legible label must be present on the containers used to transport the aquatic animals.
- The containers used to transport the product must have a visible legible label that identifies:
- the origin and destination of the consignment
- the farm name
- the scientific name of the abalone
- statement that the abalone were farmed; and
- the net weight of the abalone in the shipment.
If there are multiple individual retail packs within an outer carton, then the above information related to the origin and destination of the consignment and farm name can be placed on the outer carton and does not have to be on each individual retail package.
3.6 Shelf life
Canada has no known specific requirements for shelf life that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
4.1 Shipping marks
Canada has no known specific requirements for shipping marks that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
4.2 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout
Canada has no known specific requirements for refrigeration, transfer and loadout that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
5.1 Import permit
Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.
5.2 Port of entry inspection and testing
6.1 Live fish
Live echinoderms, cephalopods and tunicates
Live echinoderms, cephalopods and tunicates can be exported to Canada with an export permit. Please check the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca).
Live finfish and crustaceans
Live finfish and crustaceans considered susceptible to Canada's aquatic animal diseases of concern are unable to be exported live to Canada.
Live finish and crustaceans NOT considered to be susceptible to Canada's aquatic animal diseases can be exported with an export permit.
Please check the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca).
Live bivalves and gastropods
Live bivalves and gastropods are unable to be exported live to Canada in the absence of country approval and negotiated certification.
Exporters who are interested in exporting these products to Canada should contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au.
6.2 Non-viable fish
Non-viable echinoderms, cephalopods and tunicates
Non-viable echinoderms, cephalopods and tunicates can be exported using certificate template FX46.
Non-viable bivalves and predatory gastropods
Only the following non-viable bivalve mollusc and predatory gastropods can be exported to Canada using certificate template FX46:
- - Scallop meat (abductor muscle only and free of viscera)
- - Bivalve molluscs and predatory gastropods that have been fully cooked.
- Note
- Abalone are classified as gastropods but are not predatory gastropods.
Exporters are encouraged to work with their importers to determine the import requirements for these products. Please check the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)
Non-viable abalone
Non-viable abalone that are raw, chilled or frozen and are considered susceptible to Canada's aquatic animal diseases of concern or that are not in a processed, packaged or ready to eat form may be exported to Canada if the gut and shell have been completely removed. Use certificate template FX46.
Whole non-viable abalone product in shell
Product which meets all of the following criteria may be exported:
- Abalone (Haliotis laevigata, H. rubra rubra or H. laevigata x H. rubra); AND
- Aquaculture origin; AND
- Originate from a land-based farm participating in the Abalone Health Accreditation Program (AHAP); AND
- Non-viable; AND
- Frozen; AND
- Whole product (in shell); AND
- Intended for food service or retail use.
For exports of abalone which meet the above criteria use certificate template FX46AC - Health Certificate for the export of farmed, whole, non-viable abalone for food service and retail use from Australia to Canada, with endorsement 6315.
Endorsement 6315 contains the following attestations:
I, the undersigned, declare and certify that the aquatic animals described above intended for food service and retail use in Canada, satisfy the following requirements:
- 'Haliotid herpesvirus-1 (abalone herpesvirus) and infection with Perkinsus olseni are compulsorily notifiable diseases in Australia.'
- As per Canada's list of diseases of concern, the species for export (Haliotis laevigata, H. rubra rubra, and H. laevigata x H. rubra rubra) are susceptible to Haliotid herpesvirus-1 (Abalone herpes-like virus) and infection with Perkinsus olseni.
- The abalone products are not under any restriction by Australia's competent authority or intended for destruction for disease control purposes.
- The influent water, transport water and ice if included, as well as any other susceptible aquatic animals which contact the animals to be exported during pre-embarkation, are free of the disease of concern specific to the species being exported as per 1. (above).
- The aquatic animals have been packaged in shipping containers, holding units and/or conveyances that are either new or cleaned and disinfected. The shipping containers and/or holding units prevent release of the shipping contents (for example, water or animals) while en route.
- The aquatic animals have been packaged in a manner which prevents contact or exchange of animals or water between different shipments of aquatic animals on the same conveyance. A visible, legible label must be present on the containers used to transport the aquatic animals.
- The containers used to transport the product have a visible legible label that identifies: the origin and destination of the consignment, the location where the aquatic animals were born, the taxonomic name of the aquatic animals, the aquatic animals were farmed, and the number or biomass of the aquatic animals in the shipment.
When completing a REX in NEXDOC the following must be included:,
- processing date
- farm name where the abalone were sourced (entered into the 'additional product description' field)
- identify the product as aquaculture origin (not wild caught).
Exporters must ensure that the correct supplementary code AQ area, product type description and cut type are used when raising the Health Certificate:
Non-viable finfish and crustaceans
Products from species susceptible to listed diseases
Non-viable finfish and crustaceans considered susceptible to Canada's aquatic animal diseases of concern are unable to be exported to Canada unless prepared as follows:
Whole fin fish must be eviscerated. The head may be removed or left on – but the gut must be removed.
Crustaceans must have the head (containing the gut) removed. The tail section of the crustacean may be left on or be removed.
The finfish or crustacean product is in a processed, packaged or ready to eat form.
These products can be exported using certificate template FX46.
Products from species not susceptible to listed diseases
Non-viable finfish and crustaceans that are not considered susceptible to Canada's aquatic animal diseases of concern are able to be exported to Canada provided:
The finfish or crustacean product is in a processed, packaged or ready to eat form.
These products can be exported using certificate template FX46.
6.3 Crocodiles
There is no agreed certification for import of crocodile meat into Canada.
Fish products not for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.
Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the Department's non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for fish products not for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for Canada | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
The Department is not aware of any prohibited fish products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to Canada.
1.4 Access for fish products not for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| Aquaculture feed | No agreed certification |
| Animal feed | No agreed certification |
| Crocodile skins and hides | No agreed certification |
| Technical products and pharmaceutical material (for example, fish oil capsule) | No agreed certification |
| Rendered products | No agreed certification |
| Shells | No agreed certification |
The Department is not aware of the requirements for animal feed. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or Canada’s competent authority prior to shipping any animal feed to Canada.
The Department is not aware of the requirements for crocodile skins and hides. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the Canada competent authority prior to shipping any Rendered products to Canada.
The Department is not aware of the requirements for crocodile skins and hides. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or Canada’s competent authority prior to shipping any Rendered products to Canada.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for technical grade and pharmaceutical products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or Canada’s competent authority prior to shipping any technical products or pharmaceutical material to Canada.
11/06/2025 - Reviewed and updated documentation requirements (section 6.1 and 6.2).
03/01/2024 - Updated information on Automated Import Reference System (section 1.4).
14/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
06/07/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.
03/01/2024 - Updated information on Automated Import Reference System (section 1.4).
14/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
06/07/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.