Importing pet food and treats into Canada (CFIA)
Pet food, treats and chews made with animal products are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to keep animal diseases out. Which certificate or permit you need depends on the ingredients and the country. Check before you order.
- RulesCFIA, by country
- CheckAIRS before ordering
- Paperworkzoosanitary certificate
Customs rules change — confirm with the official sources on this page or with a licensed customs broker before you ship.
Two ways to get this done
Do it yourself
Everything you need is on this page, step by step, from official government sources.
Read the guideLet a broker handle it
A licensed customs broker can declare the CFIA codes and check your certificates before every shipment. Free quote, no commitment.
Get a free quoteIn short
What the CFIA requires
The CFIA regulates pet food, treats and chews containing animal products or by-products. Every commercial shipment of pet food with animal-origin ingredients must travel with a zoosanitary certificate, on conditions the CFIA negotiates with the exporting country.
Read the details
Pet food from some countries also needs a CFIA import permit, and some exporting facilities must complete a questionnaire signed by an official veterinarian. Samples of pet food need a permit too.
The exact conditions for your product and origin are in the CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). They differ by country, so check AIRS for every new supplier.
Importing pet food, step by step
Look it up in AIRS
Search AIRS with your product’s tariff classification and origin. It lists the certificate, any permit and extra instructions.
Get the certificate
Ask your supplier for the zoosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s veterinary authority, for every shipment.
Apply for a permit if needed
If AIRS says a permit is needed, apply in My CFIA before the goods ship.
Facility questionnaire
If AIRS lists an “Annex 1”, the exporting facility completes that questionnaire, signed by an official veterinarian. It is valid for one year from the inspection.
Declare with the CFIA codes
Declare the tariff classification and the CFIA’s other-government-department extension on the entry, so the CFIA can review the shipment.
What a shipment may need
From the CFIA’s import policy for pet food, treats and chews.
- Pet food or treats with animal products
- Zoosanitary certificate from the exporting country
- From some countries
- CFIA import permit (check AIRS)
- From some facilities
- Annex 1 questionnaire signed by an official veterinarian
- Pet food samples
- Import permit
The wrong certificate stops the shipment
The certificate has to match what AIRS asks for, for that product and that country — a generic health certificate won’t do. Conditions also change: the CFIA updates certificates by country, so re-check AIRS before each new order.
Common questions
Do plant-based treats need CFIA paperwork?
The animal-health rules here cover pet food containing animal products or by-products. Look up your exact product in AIRS — other conditions can apply.
How long is an Annex 1 questionnaire valid?
One year from the date of the facility inspection.
Where do I apply for a CFIA permit?
In My CFIA. The CFIA reviews any facility questionnaire and issues the permit if everything complies.
Can a broker handle the CFIA side?
Yes. A customs broker declares the CFIA codes with your entry and flags missing certificates before the goods ship. Get a broker quote.
Check where you stand
See which import requirements apply to your shipments.
Keep reading
The next steps most people take from here.
Importing
The whole path to importing commercial goods into Canada, in order.
Read →Do I need a customs broker?
No law requires one. What a licensed broker does, and what importing on your own involves.
Read →Import readiness
Check your import readiness: CARM, RPP security, classification, permits.
Read →Get a quote
Describe your shipments and we will connect you with a licensed customs broker.
Read →