The Ultimate Guide to Importing Dairy into Canada

Last verified: Oct 28, 2026 against Global Affairs Canada (GAC), CBSA and CFIA pages.

Dairy is one of Canada's supply-managed sectors. That means most cheese, butter, milk, cream, milk powders, whey, yogurt and ice cream are controlled under the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA). Imports fall under a tariff rate quota (TRQ):

• Within access (with a quota allocation and a permit): low duty, often free under a trade agreement.
• Over access (no allocation): very high duty. For example, most cheese is 245.5% with a per-kg minimum. Butter is 298.5%, with a minimum of $4.00/kg.

You need three agencies on side: GAC (quota and permits), CFIA (food safety) and CBSA (customs and duty).

Your 8-step checklist

1. Register for CARM: BN9 and RM account

• Get a 9-digit Business Number (BN9) from the CRA. Non-residents must get one first.
• Register in the CARM Client Portal and add an import/export RM program account. BN9 + RM (for example RM0001) = your BN15.
• You must register yourself; a broker can't do it for you. You can then delegate authority to your broker.
• CBSA recommends posting financial security so you can use the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program.

2. Get a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence

• CFIA requires an SFC licence to import food, including dairy. Apply through My CFIA.
• Licences are valid 2 years.
• Keep traceability records for 2 years, and run one recall simulation every 12 months.

3. Classify your product: HS code and AIRS

• Find the 10-digit HS code in the Customs Tariff (Chapter 4: 04.01 to 04.06).
• Each dairy line has a "within access" code and an "over access" code. Use the one that matches whether you hold a permit.
• Check CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) to see the import requirements and the OGD extension for your product and country. Depending on the origin, these can include a zoosanitary certificate.

4. Get an EIPA number

• Before any permit can be issued, you need an EIPA number from GAC.
• Send the EIPA number application form to NEICS-NSCEI@international.gc.ca.

5. Apply for a TRQ allocation (if eligible)

• Allocations are made once a year, and every quota has its own Notice to Importers. See the key dates below.
• Who can apply depends on the TRQ. Two examples:
  • CETA cheese, all types (Notice 993): cheese manufacturers, distributors and retailers can apply. At least 10% goes to new entrants each year. Allocations are by market share and capped at 20% of the TRQ.
  • CUSMA, CPTPP and similar notices (e.g. Notice 1079): processors and distributors can apply, but retailers can't. A company that sells on behalf of others without taking ownership isn't eligible. 100% is allocated by market share. If your calculated share is under 20,000 kg, you only receive it if the minimum you asked for is at or below that amount.
• Use it or lose it: if you use less than 95% of an allocation, it may be cut the following year. Allocations expire at the end of the quota year.
• The 2026-27 WTO butter TRQ is allocated entirely to the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC), for further processors.

6. Get a permit for each shipment (EXT-1466)

• One import permit per shipment, using form EXT-1466, with up to 3 products per form.
• Only licensed customs brokers file permits directly in the New Export Import Control System (New EICS). Other importers apply through the GAC Help Desk.
• Applications are accepted up to 30 days before arrival. A permit is valid for 30 days, from 5 days before to 24 days after arrival (GAC permits page).
• Permits are normally not issued retroactively. Get yours before final accounting.

7. Send the CFIA declaration through the IID

• Your broker sends an Integrated Import Declaration (IID). It includes your SFC licence number in the "Registration Number" field and the AIRS OGD codes.
• CFIA's step-by-step guide says you can submit the IID up to 90 days before arrival. CBSA's D19-10-2 says IID permit data can go in no more than 30 days before arrival. If your shipment carries a GAC permit, plan for the shorter 30-day limit.
• If AIRS says "refer to CFIA", the National Import Service Centre (NISC) reviews the documents and makes a recommendation to CBSA.

8. CBSA release and the CAD (field 81)

• CBSA releases the goods. Your permit number, or the General Import Permit (GIP) number, goes in field 81 of the CARM Accounting Declaration (CAD).
• No permit at final accounting: the goods are treated as imported under GIP 100 and pay the over-access rate.
• GAC does not generally issue permits after importation and final accounting.

Key dates: 2026-27 quota cycle

Dates change every year. Check GAC's key dates page before you apply.

Duty at a glance (Customs Tariff 2026)

Always confirm the current rate for your exact 10-digit code in the CBSA Customs Tariff.

FAQ

Need help?

Only licensed customs brokers can file permits directly in New EICS. If you'd like a broker to handle your EIPA number, permits, IID and CAD, a licensed customs broker can help.

Related: How to import chicken into Canada

Sources (checked Oct 28, 2026)

• GAC: Key dates for supply-managed TRQs
• GAC: General information on TRQ administration
• GAC: Import permits
• GAC: CETA Cheese of All Types TRQ, Notice No. 993
• GAC: CUSMA Cheeses of All Types TRQ, Notice No. 1079
• GAC: Notices to Importers
• New EICS
• CBSA: D19-10-2, Import controls on agricultural products
• CBSA: D10-18-1, Tariff rate quotas
• CBSA: Customs Tariff 2026, Chapter 4
• CBSA: CARM, register
• CFIA: Commercial importing, step by step
• CFIA: AIRS
• CFIA: National Import Service Centre

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, quota sizes, dates and duty rates change. Confirm with GAC, CBSA, CFIA or a licensed customs broker before you import.