Effective January 11, 2016 importers must list dead bait and germplasm in Chapter 5 in the Harmonized System. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a notice to inform importers of the change that dead bait and germplasm must be declared in chapter 05 for the following end uses:
- research and educational use;
- culture;
- diagnostic testing;
- display in a zoo or public aquarium;
- live bait; and
- stocking and enhancement.
Also, aquatic animals found on the susceptible species list that are dead and will be used for dead bait must be declared in Chapter 5.
The aquatic animal health import requirements and release recommendations for these commodities are not changing.
All HS codes for Canada’s list of susceptible species will be entered into Chapter 5 over time. As the remaining codes are entered into Chapter 5, importers will be notified through the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) listserve.
This change is required to bring the HS codes in AIRS into compliance with the World Customs Organization HS structure.
Aquatic animal import requirements are in place to protect Canada’s aquatic animal resources. For more information on the regulations and import requirements for aquatic animals, visit the CFIA’s webpage.
For more information about importing aquatic animals or their products, contact the Centre of Administration at Permission@inspection.gc.ca or phone 1–855–212–7695 or 613–773–5131.