Market Access to Export Fruits and Vegetables Internationally

To export fruits and vegetables internationally, it is essential to familiarize yourself with all the requirements and regulations involved in the process, including the necessary documentation. Exporting food products is a complex endeavor due to the stringent public health and safety standards associated with these commodities, so make sure to review all of the guidelines.

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) will be adding additional country information over time to assist you in staying compliant with evolving regulations and broadening your company's ability to reach new markets.

Food Safety Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada

Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)
Safe Food for Canadians Regulations: Glossary of key terms
Food Safety Standards and Guidelines
Importer guide: prepare your preventive control plan
Canada – United States of America Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement
Understanding the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations: A handbook for food businesses
Safe Food for Canadians License Registry
National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program

Phytosanitary Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada

Phytosanitary import requirements for fresh temperate fruits and tree nuts
CFIA Importing plants and plant products: what you need to know
CFIA Pest Risk Analysis Process
Preparedness for requesting a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA)
Systems approach for the production of plant products
Plant Protection Regulations
Plant Health
Plant protection requirements for soil and related matter

Duties, Tariffs, Customs and Inspections Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada

CFIA - Importing food: A step-by-step guide
CFIA Forms
IFPA Tariff Resource page
CBSA - Importing commercial goods into Canada
Importing food into Canada
Non-Resident Importer
Food-specific requirements and guidance – Fresh fruits or vegetables
Food-specific import requirements
Food And Drug Regulations
Dispute Resolution Corporation Membership
eManifest Portal
Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)
Automated Import Reference System Verification Service
National Import Service Centre
Other government departments that regulate the import of food
Maximum Quantity Limits for Personal Use Exemption
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspections, samples and tests
OGD extension codes for organic fresh fruits and vegetables
New test market authorization process
Test markets issued under the now repealed Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations
Apples, onions and potatoes require an inspection certificate
Canadian customs tariff
CBSA’s Guide to tariff classification for Canadian imports
CARM: The new way to assess and pay duties and taxes on imported commercial goods
CBSA Offload Policy for Highway Examinations
Complaint Analysis Information Sheet - PDF
Marine Container Examination Process
Destination Inspection Service (DIS)

Labelling Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada

Canadian Industry Labelling Tool
Labelling requirements for fresh fruits or vegetables
Charter of the French Language
Organic claims on food labels

Licenses and Permits Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada

SFC License to import
Licensing interactive tool - Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
Confirmation of Sale document
Dispute Resolution Corporation
Apply for a permit to import plants or plant products
Federal Business Number
Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP)
Customs Self-Assessment Program
Other service options
Release of Commercial Goods
Commercial importing reporting requirements

Country Specific Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada

Overview – Importing fresh fruit or vegetables into Canada
Guatemala – Fresh Raspberries and Blackberries
Mexico – Cantaloupes
Mexico – Fresh coriander (cilantro)
U.S. and California – Leafy Green Vegetables

Grade and Organic Standards Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada

Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables
Canadian Grade Compendium, Volume 9, Import Grade Requirements.
Labelling, standards of identity and grades
Grade Standard Requirements for Fresh Fruits or Vegetables Imported from the United States
Canadian Organic Standards
CFIA Organic Regulations
Organic equivalency arrangements with other countries
Standard Containers for Prepackaged Produce
The Order of Certified Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters of Quebec
Dispute Resolution Corporation

Duties, Tariffs, Customs and Inspections Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Germany

International Trade Commission – Germany – Import Requirements and Documentation

Labelling Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Germany

International Trade Commission – Germany - Labeling and Marking Requirements

Licenses and Permits Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Germany

International Trade Commission – Germany - Licensing Requirements for Professional Services

Country Specific Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Germany

ITA Commercial Guide

Grade and Organic Standards Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Germany

Germany - Standards for Trade

Contacts for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Germany

International Trade Administration Germany Links

Food Safety Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

European Market Requirements
Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority

Phytosanitary Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

Trade in plants & plant products from non-EU countries: Phytosanitary certificate
Phytosanitary certificates and descriptions
Import bans and exemptions for the import of plants and plant products
Regulation on phytosanitary implementation decrees

Duties, Tariffs, Customs and Inspections Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

Obligations for transit and transhipment of plants and plant products
Importing fruit or vegetables
Import Tariffs
Transfer import shipment to an authorized inspection location
Appendix: Phytosanitary requirements for an approved inspection location

Labelling Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

Labelling of food
Food Labelling Handbook (download - Dutch)
Labelling and packaging (EU)

Country Specific Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

Entering the Dutch market for fresh fruit and vegetables
Plant Health Act
European Market Requirements

Grade and Organic Standards Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

EU rules on producing and labelling organic products (from 2022)
European organic regulations
Dutch regulations regarding organic
Skal Biocontrole Regulations
Certification - Import / First recipient

Contacts for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

Quality Control Bureau (KCB)
Fresh Produce Centre
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

Other Information for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the Netherlands

What requirements must fresh fruit or vegetables comply with to be allowed on the European market?
Global Agricultural Information Network (Standards and Regulations database)
EU Pesticides Database

Duties, Tariffs, Customs and Inspections Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom

General guidance for Import and Export
Guidance for Non-EU Countries
Tariff Checker Tool
Commodity Code Finder

Phytosanitary Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom

General Plant Health Requirements
Risk Categories for fresh produce
Inspection Frequencies
Plant Health Checking Service
Example of importing apples from the US

Food Safety Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom

Food Standards Agency Guidance for Imports - Food Safety
List of current High Risk Foods of Non Animal Origin
Packaging and labelling

GB Maximum Residue Level Database

GB MRL Database

Heavy Metals Contamination

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2006/1881
Cadmium Levels for UK

Marketing Standards

Marketing Standards for Specific Commodities
General Marketing Standards
UK market requirements and certification

Labelling Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom

Labelling Standards for imports and exports

Organic Standards Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom

Importing organic from Non-EU countries
Organic food: labelling and advertising rules
https://www.soilassociation.org/ - Main certifying body for organics in UK

Contacts for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom

Plant imports: border control posts at UK ports
Plant imports: border control posts at UK airports

IFPA guidance on exporting to the U.S. can be found in the article

Exporting to the U.S.: Everything you need to now

Food Safety Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) | FDA
Food Traceability List | FDA

Phytosanitary Requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

How To Import Plants and Plant Products into the United States | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov)
ACIR Custom Search (usda.gov)
CPG Sec. 560.200
FSIS guidelines
Special documents used in exporting (not commonly used/special case documents)

Duties, Tariffs, Customs and Inspections Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

USDA agricultural tariff tracker
Customs info database

Labelling Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

CFR Part 51- Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, etc. (grade designation)
https://www.fda.gov/media/81606/download/
FDA labelling guide pdf
COOL labeling guide

Licenses and Permits Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

FDA Export/Import licensing guide
U.S. general export regulations

Country Specific Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

U.S. Establishments by Country | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)
Importing Human Foods | FDA

Grade and Organic Standards Regulations for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

Organic Production-Handling Standards.pdf (usda.gov)
Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means | USDA

Contacts for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the USA

Export certification contacts
International trade commission contact forms

Questions?

Ed Treacy

Vice President of Supply Chain

+1(302)607-2118 Email Ed Treacy

Global Market Access

Exporting Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Internationally

Exporting to Canada