Bringing food into Canada for personal use

If you bring food into Canada for personal use, be aware of federal import requirements. They apply whether you are a traveller or are buying food online. So be sure to pack and shop wisely.

Before bringing food into Canada

• Find out if the item is allowed and under what conditions
  • Items from the United States
  • Items from outside the United States

  Find out if the item is allowed and under what conditions

  There may be restrictions on the items you bring into Canada for your own personal use. These restrictions vary depending on the item, the country it originates from and the Canadian province you're bringing it to.

  Restrictions and requirements

  To determine if the product is admissible to Canada, the restrictions that apply to the product and if you need to obtain documents prior to bringing the product into Canada, refer to:

  • Table 1. Food products allowed into Canada originating from United States
  • Table 2. Food products allowed into Canada originating from a foreign country other than United States

  If your food is not listed in these tables, refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

  If you need a document, such as a permit, the item won't be allowed into Canada without it. Use National Centre of Permissions.

  Travellers coming into Canada can carry food with them for their own personal use, provided the food is imported within the specified personal exemption limits of the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations and there are no restrictions in place under other federal legislation, such as the Health of Animals Act or the Plant Protection Act.

  Items from the United States

  Didn't find what you're looking for? Check out the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)

  20 kg (if measured by weight)

  20 L (if measured by volume)

  20 kg (if measured by weight)

  20 L (if measured by volume)

  20 kg (if measured by weight)

  20 L (if measured by volume)

  20 kg (if measured by weight)

  20 L (if measured by volume)

  • During outbreaks of avian disease (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease), eggs must be retail packaged, for human consumption, and clearly labelled as a "Product of the USA"
  • Eggs from a farm or backyard flock are not permitted for import at any time

  Processed egg products:

  • 20 kg (if measured by weight) of processed eggs
  • 20 L (if measured by volume) of processed eggs

  Shark fins or parts of shark fins that are not attached to a shark carcass are prohibited under the Fisheries Act.

  You require a permit if:

  • you bring live finfish identified as a susceptible species of aquatic animal
  • you bring more than:
    • 10 uneviscerated dead finfish
    • 4 head-on, shell-on crustaceans
    • 3 kg of molluscs

    Certain fish species, such as sturgeons, and their products are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and may be prohibited or require a CITES permit.

    • Find out if your fish is on the CITES list and what applies to their import by using the species search tool
    • Sturgeon caviar of a quantity greater than 250 g requires a CITES permit
    • If you need a CITES permit, consult Permits for trade in protected species

    40 kg (except for dried fish and fish roe)

    10 kg of dried fish

    1 kg of fish roe

    Refer to Processed fruit or vegetable (including herbs) such as dried, frozen, canned

    • 20 kg (if measured by weight)
    • 20 L (if measured by volume)
    • 20 kg (if measured by weight)
    • 20 L (if measured by volume)

    You require a hunter's permit or a licence.

    Permitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier).

    Provincial restrictions may apply. For example, on deer, there may be restrictions due to chronic wasting disease.

    Note: there is no maximum quantity for the purpose of importing such a carcass or part of a carcass for personal use. However, this quantity may be subject to limits imposed by a hunter's permit or another form of permission from a competent authority.

    20 kg (if measured by weight)

    20 L (if measured by volume)

    • Dry milk-based
    • Liquid milk-based
    • Non-milk-based, (dry/liquid) formula

    20 kg (if measured by weight)

    20 L (if measured by volume)

    20 L maple syrup

    4 kg maple products

    • Permitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier)
    • Packages must have identifying marks, indicating what the product is
    • Proof of country of origin is required (label showing "Product of USA" is acceptable)
    • During outbreaks of avian disease (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease), poultry must be retail packaged, for human consumption, and clearly labelled as a "Product of the USA"
    • Eggs from a farm or backyard flock are not permitted for import at any time
    • Get additional information on restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States

    20 kg (if measured by weight)

    20 L (if measured by volume)

    Didn't find what you're looking for? Check out the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)

    Permitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier)

    • products cooked and shelf-stable (safe at room temperature) and
    • purchased in a sealed container (such as a glass jar, can, retort pouch, semi-rigid disposable serving dishes for ready-to-eat meals)

    20 kg (if measured by weight)

    20 L (if measured by volume)

    20 kg (if measured by weight)

    20 L (if measured by volume)

    20 kg (if measured by weight)

    20 L (if measured by volume)

    20 kg (if measured by weight)

    20 L (if measured by volume)

    Shark fins or parts of shark fins that are not attached to a shark carcass are prohibited under the Fisheries Act.

    You require a permit if:

    • you bring live finfish identified as a susceptible species of aquatic animal
    • you bring more than:
      • 10 uneviscerated dead finfish
      • 4 head-on, shell-on crustaceans
      • 3 kg of molluscs

      Certain fish species, such as sturgeons, and their products are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and may be prohibited or require a CITES permit.

      • Find out if your fish is on the CITES list and what applies to their import by using the species search tool
      • Sturgeon caviar of a quantity greater than 250 g requires a CITES permit
      • If you need a CITES permit, consult Permits for trade in protected species

      40 kg (except for dried fish and fish roe)

      10 kg of dried fish

      1 kg of fish roe

      • 20 kg (if measured by weight)
      • 20 L (if measured by volume)
      • 20 kg (if measured by weight)
      • 20 L (if measured by volume)

      20 kg (if measured by weight)

      20 L (if measured by volume)

      • Dry milk-based
      • Liquid milk-based
      • Non-milk based, (dry/liquid) formula

      Only infant formula that's commercially packaged, sealed and shelf-stable (at room temperature) is permitted into Canada.

      Cannot be labelled "Keep refrigerated" or "Keep frozen" before opening.

      20 kg (if measured by weight)

      20 L (if measured by volume)

      20 L maple syrup

      4 kg maple products

      Fresh, dried, and cured meats (such as hams and sausages) are not permitted.

      Only the following commercially prepared meat products are permitted and only if accompanied by you into Canada (they cannot be brought in by mail or courier):

      • products cooked and shelf-stable (safe at room temperature) and
      • purchased in a sealed container (such as a glass jar, can, retort pouch, semi-rigid disposable serving dishes for ready-to-eat meals)

      If the permitted product contains beef, it can only be imported from countries of negligible risk for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease).

      The packages must have identifying marks indicating what the product is and which country it originates from.

      Proof of country of origin may be required.

      20 kg (if measured by weight)

      20 L (if measured by volume)

      The personal use exemption limit for all other foods not mentioned is 20 kg.

      Be aware of the product risks

      Food can be contaminated with hazards that present a risk to human health, plants can carry invasive species that harm the environment and animal products can carry diseases that affect animals and humans.

      When bringing food into Canada under the personal use exemptions, you may be bringing products that don't comply with the Canadian requirements. These requirements help safeguard the well-being of Canadians and the health of our environment and economy.

      If you are buying food items online, visit the CFIA e-commerce page for more information on making safe purchases.

      Declare the product

      When travelling, you must declare all food products you bring with you into Canada.

      • For more information, check the document I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or the Visitors to Canada web page.
      • Be prepared, your product may need to be inspected by the CBSA at the point of entry (such as border crossings and airports).
      • Additional duties and taxes may apply on the importation of foods and beverages in excess of Global Affairs Canada's personal exemption limits, as outlined in CBSA's Memorandum D19-10-2 – Administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (Importations)