Updates to Automated Import Reference System

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency continues to update the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Imports of aquatic animals listed on Schedule III of the Health of Animals Regulations must be identified by their Harmonized System and Other Government Department Codes for the Automated Import Reference System. This list of codes will help importers identify the specific aquatic species regulated under the Health of Animals Regulations.

New codes for imports of aquatic animals and their germplasm

December 13, 2012: Changes have been made to the following harmonized system (HS) codes to include the following other government department (OGD) codes which will have descriptors indicating "germplasm."

HS Code: 03.01.91

  • OGD 615955 - Oncorhynchus clarkii - Cutthroat trout
  • OGD 615993 - Oncorhynchus mykiss - Rainbow trout
  • OGD 787155 - Salmo trutta - Brown trout

HS Code: 03.01.99

  • OGD 212597 - Danio rerio - Zebrafish
  • OGD 365977 - Hippoglossus hippoglossus - Atlantic halibut
  • OGD 615983 - Oncorhynchus gorbuscha - Pacific pink salmon
  • OGD 615987 - Oncorhynchus keta - Chum salmon
  • OGD 615989 - Oncorhynchus kisutch - Coho salmon
  • OGD 616011 - Oncorhynchus nerka - Sockeye salmon
  • OGD 616015 - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha - Chinook salmon
  • OGD 623117 - Oreochromis niloticus - Nile tilapia
  • OGD 787147 - Salmo salar - Atlantic salmon

For germplasm from species not included above and being imported for the end uses of culture, display in a zoo or public aquarium, stocking or enhancement, importers are encouraged contact a CFIA Area office and request to have an OGD code added to the AIRS.

The codes listed above are not to be used for the end uses of food service, retail use and further processing for human consumption. For those codes, please refer to the AIRS.

Changes to the codes for crustacean species

December 11, 2012: Changes have been made to the following harmonized system (HS) codes to include other government department (OGD) descriptors for crustacean species.

  • HS codes 03.06.11 to 03.06.19 and all associated OGDs with the descriptions "non-ready-to-eat, shell on (frozen)" are now amended to "non-ready-to-eat, head on and shell on (frozen)".
  • HS codes 03.06.11 to 03.06.19 and all associated OGDs with the descriptions "non-ready-to-eat, shell off (frozen)" are now amended to "non-ready-to-eat, head off, shell on or off (frozen)".
  • HS codes 03.06.21 to 03.06.29 and all associated OGDs with the descriptions "non-ready-to-eat, live or shell on (not frozen)" are now amended to "non-ready-to-eat, live or head on and shell on (not frozen)".
  • HS codes 03.06.21 to 03.06.29 and all associated OGDs with the descriptions "non-ready-to-eat, shell off (not frozen)" are now amended to "non-ready-to-eat, head off, shell on or off (not frozen)".

The following codes remain unchanged:

  • HS codes 03.06.11 to 03.06.19 and all associated OGDs with the description "ready-to-eat (frozen)", and
  • HS codes 03.06.21 to 03.06.29 and all associated OGDs with the description "ready-to-eat (not frozen)".
  • Importers are required to ensure the HS-OGD codes are consistent with the products being imported.
All crustacean products of aquatic animals listed in Schedule III that have the descriptors: For the following end uses: Will require:
"non-ready-to-eat, live or head on and shell on (not frozen)" all end uses
  • an import permit and will also be subject to food safety requirements if for
    • food service,
    • retail use, or
    • further processing
"non-ready-to-eat, head on and shell on (frozen)" all end uses
  • an import permit and will also be subject to food safety requirements if for
    • food service,
    • retail use, or
    • further processing
"non-ready-to-eat, head off, shell on or off (not frozen)"
  • bait,
  • feed for aquatic animals,
  • manufacturing of aquatic animal feed, or
  • research and diagnosis
 an import permit
"non-ready-to-eat, head off, shell on or off (not frozen)"
  • food service
  • retail use, or
  • further processing
 no import permit but are subject to food safety requirements
"non-ready-to-eat, head off, shell on or off (frozen)"
  • bait,
  • feed for aquatic animals,
  • manufacturing of aquatic animal feed, or
  • research and diagnosis
 an import permit
"non-ready-to-eat, head off, shell on or off (frozen)"
  • food service
  • retail use, or
  • further processing
 no import permit but are subject to food safety requirements
"ready-to-eat"
  • food service,
  • retail use, or
  • further processing
 no import permit but are subject to food safety requirements

New codes for ornamental finfish species

August 24, 2012: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continues to update the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) in anticipation of new aquatic animal import requirements.

The Agency has now published more than 2,300 HS-OGD codes for ornamental finfish species in AIRS.

Importers are encouraged to use these new codes, rather than the two existing codes for "Other Ornamental Species not listed." Using the two existing codes can result in delays at the border.

Since these new codes are for aquatic animal species not listed in Schedule III of the Health of Animals Regulations, no aquatic animal health permit is required.

For more information on aquatic animal import requirements, visit:
www.inspection.gc.ca/aquatic.