Edible apiculture products

Country
Canada (CA)
NPG Category
Edible
NPG Product
Edible apiculture products

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 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.

2.2 Listing and audit
Listing and audit procedureRequired?
AuditNot required
Listing – Department's Establishment Register (ER)Not required
2.3 Prohibited products

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

3.1 Government certification

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

3.2 Supporting documents and exporter declarations

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

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.

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.

27/06/2023 - New case migrated from previous country page.