CANADA

Export Requirements

Fresh fruits and vegetables, including nuts and edible fungi, are regulated by the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act. These regulations cover quality, labelling, packaging, grading, and health and safety requirements..

All individuals desirous of exporting fresh produce from Guyana to Canada must complete the following:

1. Acquire an Import licence: Commercial importers of fresh fruits and vegetables must have a Produce Licence issued by the Canadian Food  Inspection Agency or be a member of the Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC). Each shipment of fresh produce must be accompanied by a  Confirmation of Sale form in triplicate, which is the importer's evidence that there is a firm purchase agreement. This form is reviewed by a Customs officer at the products' point of entry, and relayed to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

To ensure compliance with Canadian standards for safety, quality, labelling, packaging and grading, all shipments of fresh produce are subject to examination upon entry into Canada by an inspector of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Special requirements also exist for the importation of products shipped in bulk.

To prevent the introduction and spread of plant diseases and pests, fresh fruits and vegetables are subject to the Plant Protection Act and  Regulations. Consequently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency requires import permits and/or phytosanitary certificates for certain fresh fruits and vegetables from specific countries or states.

2. Register as an Exporter with the Guyana Marketing Corporation and the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Tel: 220-5858 Fax: 220-5858 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3. Acquire a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)- This can be obtained from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs & Trade Administration Department. The following documents must be presented for registration:

  • A completed TIN application form which can be uplifted from any GRA Office or it can be downloaded from http://www.gra.gov.gy/images/Forms/appltin.pdf .
  • Personal Identification: (ID card or Passport) Note: both the original and a photocopy of your ID card or passport are required.
  • Proof of residence (GPL or GT&T bills, etc)
  • In the case of a business, the business registration must be supplied with identification of a representative(s).

4. Decide on mode of shipment (air or sea)

5. Prepare Export Documentation - Customs documentation is required for all commodities being exported from Guyana.  Guyana Marketing Corporation has a Customs Brokerage Service which is available to all exporters.

6. Source Produce from Certified Farms - exporters should ensure that their produce are sourced from certified farming areas and farmers.

7. Prepare produce at Certified Packaging Facilities. Guyana Marketing Corporation has two (2) Certificated Packaging Facilities:


1. Central Packaging Facility.

2. Parika Agro Packaging Facility


Persons using the packaging facilities must complete and submit a request to use the packaging facility at least three days before the date required to use the facility.

Click here for detailed information regarding Canadian import requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Information on Canadian plant protection requirements may be found at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml

For a Handbook on Exporting to Canada, register with the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada here and download the handbook.

Canada imports a wide range of fresh fruits from countries around the world. In 2009, Canada's imports of fresh fruits rose for the fifth consecutive year, reaching $3 billion.......Read more.

Contact us for any additional information you may require.