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Updated CFIA Importer's Attestation for Importing Romaine Lettuce

October 22, 2021

On October 22, 2021 the CFIA advised that they have updated the CFIA Form 5961 “Importer’s Attestation for Romaine Lettuce Products from the Salinas Valley, California, United States.” 

In order to avoid potential delays at the border please ensure that yourself and your suppliers are using the most updated version of the Importer’s Attestation form 5961 found on the CFIA website.   

Background:

On September 13, 2021 the CFIA announced the 2021 Import requirements for Romaine lettuce and products containing romaine lettuce from the United States. 

For full details see the CFIA’s page: Import requirements for romaine lettuce from the United States (2021) and the CFIA news release

Following is a recap of the Import Requirements:

Affected Commodities: Shipments of fresh romaine lettuce, salad mixes and other products containing romaine, sold in bags, bulk or combined with other foods, which originate in the US.

Imported from the US between: September 30 and December 31, 2021

For romaine and romaine products FROM the Salinas Valley of California (counties: Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey):

  1. Importer attestation (using form CFIA/ACIA 5961) that sampling was conducted according to the temporary SFC licence conditions
    - Check your MyCFIA account for the SFC licence conditions

AND

  1. Certificate of Analysis demonstrating that the product does not contain detectable levels of E. coli O157:H7

For romaine and romaine products FROM OUTSIDE the Salinas Valley of California:

  1. Proof of Origin indicating the state and county where the romaine lettuce was harvested if the romaine lettuce is from outside of the California counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey
    - If a Proof of Origin of the romaine lettuce is not available, the attestation and Certificate of Analysis must be provided

These requirements are in addition to the standard import requirements for vegetables and leafy greens. Existing Import Requirements for all Leafy Greens are:

CFIA Informational messages:

And our informational article: Fall 2021 Romaine Lettuce Requirements

As a valued client of PCB, you receive the benefit of our proactive release process which will ensure your imports are declared with the additional requirements listed above:

  1. Upon receipt, our release team ensures all necessary documents that are required for import, are included 
  2. If they are missing we will reach out to you, your carrier or your vendor to obtain this paperwork (additional fees may apply)

Please reach out to your account manager with any questions you may have about these new requirements at any time by emailing compliance@pcb.ca or calling 604.538.1566. We are here for you always.