Food & Beverage Import Freight Into Canada
RRA coordinates freight, in-house customs clearance, and CFIA-aware documentation for Canadian importers of shelf-stable (ambient) food, beverage, and agricultural products. One accountable team for the freight and customs — with food-safety licensing and any cold-chain requirements confirmed separately. RRA moves and clears the goods; it does not sell them.
Ambient Food Freight, Cleared Cleanly
Food and beverage imports carry documentation and food-safety requirements on top of the freight. RRA coordinates ambient ocean and air freight, in-house customs, warehousing, and distribution under one file, with CFIA and Safe Food for Canadians requirements coordinated alongside your licensing.
Ambient Freight
Shelf-stable food and beverage by ocean or air. Temperature-controlled cold-chain is confirmed separately, not assumed.
Customs & CFIA Coordination
In-house customs with CFIA and Safe Food for Canadians (SFCR) documentation coordinated for import.
Warehousing & Distribution
Ambient bonded or standard storage and distribution to retailers and DCs.
Drayage & Handling
Terminal handling and drayage from the gateway, with deconsolidation when required.
Import Documentation Review
We review the import documentation the goods require with your supplier and your licence-holder.
One Accountable Team
Freight, customs, and distribution planned together — one point of contact.
How Your Food Import Moves
- Shipment planningWe confirm the product, whether it's shelf-stable or requires temperature control, quantities, origin, Incoterm, delivery point, and licensing status.
- Documentation & CFIA reviewWe coordinate the import documentation and CFIA/SFCR requirements with your supplier and licence-holder before the goods ship.
- Ambient ocean or air freightShelf-stable food and beverage toward the Canadian gateway that fits the origin and destination.
- In-house customs clearanceCARM-ready filing with classification, origin, and permits handled in-house. Release remains subject to CBSA and CFIA.
- Drayage & warehousingTerminal handling, drayage, and ambient warehousing with cross-dock when required.
- DistributionDistribution across Canada to retailers and DCs.
Food Imports, CFIA and the Limits of Our Role
Food and beverage imports are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. RRA coordinates the freight and customs and supports the documentation — the import licence and food-safety responsibility stay with the importer.
Compliance context as of 2026 and subject to change; food import requirements are set by CFIA under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. Requirements are confirmed per product and shipment.
Licensing stays with the importer
A Safe Food for Canadians (SFCR) licence and food-safety responsibility rest with the importer. RRA coordinates the freight, customs, and documentation — it is not the licence-holder and does not certify food safety.
Ambient by default
This program covers shelf-stable, ambient food and beverage. Temperature-controlled or cold-chain requirements are confirmed against operational capability separately, not assumed from a template.
RRA coordinates freight and in-house customs for food importers; it does not grow, process, or sell food, and is not the SFCR licence-holder. Release remains subject to CBSA and CFIA.
Food Import Freight FAQ
Related Services & Trade Lanes
Customs Brokerage & Trade Compliance
In-house clearance with CFIA documentation coordination.
All Import Commodities
The national hub for freight forwarding on high-volume imports into Canada.
Importing Food or Beverage Into Canada?
Send the product, origin, and licensing status. We'll coordinate the ambient freight, customs, and CFIA documentation — and confirm any cold-chain need separately.
Tell Us What You're Importing