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Other Government Departments and Agencies: Reference List for Importers
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To help ensure that prohibited and controlled goods are not illegally imported into Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency assists other federal government departments and agencies by administering and enforcing legislation and regulations on their behalf. Inquiries about these importing regulations should be directed to the relevant department or agency.
Many government departments and agencies are involved in the importation of goods into Canada. Below are some of the most commonly imported commodities that may require permits and/or certificates from other government departments or agencies.
| Government Department/Agency (Name, Web address, telephone number) |
Commodities/Area of Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Canadian Firearms Program www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca 1-800-731-4000 |
Firearms |
Canada Post Corporation |
Non-mailable matter (e.g. perfume, perishable items, flammable liquids, replica or inert munitions) |
| Canadian Food Inspection Agency www.inspection.gc.ca 1-800-442-2342 |
Food, plants, animals and related products |
| Canadian Heritage www.canadianheritage.gc.ca 1-866-811-0055 |
Cultural property |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission www.cnsc.gc.ca 1-800-668-5284 |
Radioactive isotopes |
| Competition Bureau Canada www.competitionbureau.gc.ca 1-800-348-5358 |
Clothing labels Marking of precious metals Packaging and labelling of non-food products |
| Environment Canada www.ec.gc.ca 1-800-668-6767 |
Endangered or threatened species of plants and animals Hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable material Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and products containing ODS Wild animal and plant trade |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca 613-993-0999 |
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing |
| Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada www.international.gc.ca 1-877-808-8838 |
Agricultural products Firearms Goods under trade embargoes Steel Textiles and clothing |
| Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca 1-866-225-0709 |
Consumer goods Drugs Food Medical devices Natural health products Pesticides Pharmaceuticals Radiation-emitting devices Toxic substances Vitamins |
| Industry Canada www.ic.gc.ca 1-800-328-6189 |
Radio communications Telecommunications equipment |
| Natural Resources Canada www.nrcan.gc.ca 613-995-0947 |
Explosives including fireworks and ammunition Minerals and metals including gold, silver, copper, diamonds and all gems Regulated energy-using products |
| Public Health Agency of Canada www.phac.gc.ca 1-800-545-7661 |
Bodies and body parts Human pathogens |
| Transport Canada www.tc.gc.ca 1-800-333-0371 |
Tires Transportation of dangerous goods Vehicles |
For detailed information on importing, visit the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Centre at www.cbsa.gc.ca/sme-pme.
For more information, within Canada call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long distance charges will apply. Officers are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time, except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237.
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