Canada

1.1 Prohibited

Processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs or trans fats) are not permitted to be imported into Canada.

Unless specified within the commodity list below, the Department is not aware of any other prohibited inedible non-prescribed goods^* for export to Canada.

1.2 Conditions

Unless specified within the commodity list below, non-prescribed edible goods^* usually do not require a certificate.

Information about importing food, plants or animals into Canada is available on the Canadian Government website.

Exporters are encouraged to confirm the importing conditions through their importer or, if needed, the government authority of Canada.

^* Importing country requirements for some non-prescribed goods that contain meat, fish, dairy or egg products and animal by-products are covered on the relevant meat, dairy, fish or eggs sections of Micor. You should check for importing country requirements there.

2.1 Prohibited

Unless specified within the commodity list below, the Department is not aware of any prohibited inedible non-prescribed goods^*, including inedible apiculture products for this market.

2.2 Conditions

Compliance with relevant Australian domestic requirements. Unless specified within the commodity list below, non-prescribed inedible goods^* usually do not require a certificate. However, EX188B certification (manual only) has been used in the past for inedible tallow and sheepskin products to enter Canada.

^* Importing country requirements for some non-prescribed goods that contain meat, fish, dairy or egg products and animal by-products are covered on the relevant meat, dairy, fish or eggs sections of Micor. You should check for importing country requirements there.

1. Preconditions for market access

1.1 Import permit

Information about exporting edible apiculture products to Canada is available on the Canadian Government website.

The specific import requirements for importing edible apiculture products (honey, bee pollen and beeswax (refined or rendered) into Canada can be found in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Exporters are encouraged to liaise with their importer to ensure edible apiculture products comply with the requirements of all applicable Canadian legislation including the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations, the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations, and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations, as they relate to food.

Exporters are not required to obtain an import permit to export edible apiculture products to Canada.

1.2 Listing and audit

1.3 Prohibited products

The Department is not aware of any prohibited edible apiculture products for export to Canada.

2. Documentation requirements

2.1 Government certification

Government certification for edible apiculture products is not required for export to Canada.

2.2 Supporting documents and exporter declarations

A statement regarding the end use of the products must be provided.

3. Other requirements

Honey

There are specific requirements for imported honey regarding grade, standard container sizes, labelling and health and safety requirements. Imported honey into Canada must meet the following requirements:

• Canadian Standards of Identity Volume 5, Honey
• Canadian Grade Compendium Volume 6, Honey
• Grade Names for Imported Food (refer to item 1 in this table for information relevant to honey)
• Honey consignments may be subject to inspection, including detention, by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Imported honey is only considered acceptable for sale or further use upon receipt of all satisfactory laboratory results showing the honey meets Canadian veterinary drug residue limits and is free of other adulterants such as foreign sugars. The Department assesses that these requirements can be met by Australia's National Residue Survey (NRS) for locally produced honey.

Imported honey must also meet the packing and labelling requirements outlined in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.

Bee pollen for human consumption

Bee pollen must be imported in final packaging and be clearly labelled for human consumption.

Australian exporters should liaise with their importers to ensure exported bee pollen for human consumption meet the compositional standard and other requirements in Canada's Food and Drug Regulations. Further, all natural health products sold in Canada are subject to the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Beeswax for human consumption

Australian exporters should liaise with their importers to ensure exported bee pollen for human consumption meets the compositional standard and other requirements in Canada's Food and Drug Regulations. Further, the Food and Drug Regulations also set the standards and other applicable requirements for fats and oils.

4. Exemptions granted by the importing country

Consignments of honey and bee pollen that are for use and human consumption of the importer and not for resale or distribution are exempt when:

• the weight does not exceed 20 kg
• they are transported as personal effects
• is carried on a vessel, train, motor vehicle, aircraft or other means of transportation for use as food for the crew or passengers thereof, or
• consigned to a national or an international exhibition (weighs 100 kg or less)

Exporters are encouraged to confirm if any exemptions apply by contacting their importer, or if needed the government authority of Canada.

1. Preconditions for market access

1.1 Import permit

The specific import requirements for importing inedible apiculture products (bee pollen for honeybee use and beeswax) into Canada can be found in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

An import permit for importation of bee pollen for honeybee use and beeswax for other end uses is required. This is usually obtained by the importer. Information on these requirements can be found on the Animal Health Bee Products website.

Exporters are encouraged to confirm the importing conditions through their importer, or if needed the government authority of Canada.

1.2 Listing and audit

1.3 Prohibited products

The Department is not aware of any prohibited inedible apiculture products for export to Canada.

2. Documentation requirements

2.1 Government certification

Bee pollen for honeybee use

For importation of bee pollen for honeybee use into Canada export certification issued by an official veterinarian of the exporting country is required.

The certificate must state the following:

• The pollen in this shipment contains no live honeybees or bee brood, and
• The pollen in this shipment has been treated by means of irradiation (minimum 10 kGray).
  

The Department is able to issue an EX188B (manual only) to export bee pollen for honeybee use to Canada if the product is acceptable for sale in Australia.

2.2 Supporting documents and exporter declarations

The Department is not aware of any supporting document or exporter declaration requirements. Exporters are encouraged to confirm this with their importer or, if needed, the government authority of Canada.

3. Other requirements

Bee pollen for honeybee use

Bee pollen for honeybee use is required to be treated by means of irradiation (minimum 10 kGray).

Beeswax

Beeswax may be imported into Canada as per the conditions on the import permit and only between 1 October and 31 March each year.

All wax shipments are to be frozen and shipped in refrigerated transports set to -20°C.

Shipments are subject to inspection for the small hive beetle at the first point of entry by an inspector of the CFIA.

4. Exemptions granted by the importing country

The Department is not aware of any exemptions being granted by Canada. Exporters are encouraged to confirm if any exemptions apply by contacting their importer, or if needed the government authority of Canada.