Importing organic food products? Here's the latest you need to know.

Last month new import and admissibility requirements for organic seed products were incorporated into the Automated Import Reference System. If you import organic food products, this post is for you.

Change is in the AIRS

As per Part 13 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, the import and admissibility requirements for end uses of organic seed products (from chapters 07, 09, 10, 12) have been incorporated into the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). These changes were implemented as of January, 2023.

What's changing?

Among other things, the new other government department (OGD) codes will differentiate organic products from conventional products. Normally, importers are not involved at this stage, and these codes are applied by your broker at the time of import.

All the same, as the importer it remains your responsibility to familiarize yourselves with the new codes in AIRS in order to comply with the requirements. This update primarily speaks to your organic product certificates.

Presently, importers and brokers are required to confirm possession of the organic product certificate at the time of import in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID).

The latest update means that importers will be notified once all import requirements are incorporated in AIRS. From that time onwards, as an importer of organic commodities, you will be required to provide a digital copy of the organic product certificate, to your customs broker for their use when declaring organic products online using the IID system.

Don't sweat the small stuff

Ok, we know details like these updates are far from small. But why not save the sweat and make the learning curve easier? An experienced customs broker can handle the details and make the import process easier, no matter what you're shipping. Partner with us today.

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