---
title: "Fisheries and Oceans Canada: import programs · Adhoc"
description: "DFO's checks at the border cover catch documents for certain tuna, swordfish and toothfish, invasive aquatic species, and engineered aquatic organisms. Food safety and licensing for fish sit with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency."
canonical: "https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/fisheries-and-oceans-canada"
last_updated: 2026-11-11
---

# Fisheries and Oceans Canada fish and aquatic species

Government agency

DFO's checks at the border cover catch documents for certain tuna, swordfish and toothfish, invasive aquatic species, and engineered aquatic organisms. Food safety and licensing for fish sit with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

## Is your product covered?

Goods in these parts of the tariff: [Live animals; animal products](https://www.useadhoc.com/hs-codes#section-i)

## What it covers

- **Engineered aquatic organisms.** A genetically engineered aquatic organism needs a new substances notification before import.
- **Aquatic invasive species.** Live grass, bighead, silver and black carp, and zebra and quagga mussels can't be imported, even in transit.
- **Catch documents.** Certain tuna, swordfish and toothfish need a catch or statistical document from the fishing or exporting country.

[Look up an HS code](https://www.useadhoc.com/hs-codes)

## Documents you may need

| Document | When you need it |
| --- | --- |
| New Substances Notification | If it applies |
| Federal Release/Transfer Licence | If it applies |
| A provincial fish, fisheries or wildlife licence (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan), or a Canada National Parks fishing licence | If it applies |
| A catch, statistical or re-export document for bluefin, bigeye or southern bluefin tuna, Atlantic swordfish, or Patagonian or Antarctic toothfish | If it applies |

## Also check for these goods

| Also check | Who | Where it applies |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Food, plants and animals | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | Some of the same HS codes |
| Wildlife | Environment and Climate Change Canada | Some of the same HS codes |

Other government agencies: [Canadian Food Inspection Agency](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/canadian-food-inspection-agency) · [Health Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/health-canada) · [Environment and Climate Change Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/environment-and-climate-change-canada) · [Global Affairs Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/global-affairs-canada) · [Transport Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/transport-canada) · [Natural Resources Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/natural-resources-canada) · [Public Health Agency of Canada](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/public-health-agency-of-canada)

Adhoc is not affiliated with Fisheries and Oceans Canada or CBSA.