New Certification Process for Meat and Poultry Imports from the US Now in Effect

Trade Update • June 13, 2022

n a notice to the industry, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) stated that as of June 13, 2022, all certificates for importing meat and poultry products from the US to Canada will be digitally signed.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have been working closely together to implement the US’s Public Health Information System (PHIS).

Under this system and as of this date, the (FSIS) will begin the onboarding of the CFIA into the US PHIS for the issuance of US to Canada export certificates with digital signatures.

Implications of this notice for importers/exporters

• FSIS’s Form 9060-5, 5A, 5B (Export Certificate of Wholesomeness for Meat and Poultry) will replace the Certificate for Export of Meat and Poultry Products to Canada (Form 9135-3).

• FSIS will print PHIS-generated FSIS 9060-5 series (FSIS Form 9060-5, 5A, 5B, 5S) that are digitally signed in PHIS on plain paper, containing the watermark: Approved Certificate – Available for Validation in PHIS.

• Shipments certified by FSIS prior to June 13, 2022, will have the current paper form of the certificate with a wet signature (FSIS Form 9135-3).

Updates about the new import certification process will be provided in the coming weeks. For more information about the import of meat and poultry, visit the CFIA’s overview of importing meat products.

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