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.
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.
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:
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.
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)
Processed egg products:
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:
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.
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
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)
20 kg (if measured by weight)
20 L (if measured by volume)
20 L maple syrup
4 kg maple products
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)
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:
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.
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)
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):
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.
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.
When travelling, you must declare all food products you bring with you into Canada.
