Global Affairs Canada · Import Control List
Beef and veal what you need depends on the origin
Beef and veal from the US, Mexico, Chile or the EU need no GAC permit. From the UK, a CPTPP country, Colombia, Honduras, Jordan, Korea, Panama or Ukraine, they come in under General Import Permit 100, with no over-access duty when they qualify for that agreement's rate. From other countries, within the quota they need a permit for each shipment, issued to quota holders; over it, General Import Permit 100 at the over-access duty, which beef that qualifies for the Least Developed Country or Commonwealth Caribbean tariff doesn't pay.
To import beef and veal
Once, before your first shipment
- For a permit for one shipment: get an EIPA number. Needed within the quota from other countries, and for UK beef claiming CPTPP. One form, sent once.
On every shipment
- From the US, Mexico, Chile or the EU: no GAC permit. Beef and veal that originate there are not on the Import Control List.
- From the UK, a CPTPP country, Colombia, Honduras, Jordan, Korea, Panama or Ukraine: General Import Permit 100. No over-access duty when the goods qualify for that agreement's rate. UK beef claiming CPTPP instead uses a first-come, first-served quota, with a permit on demand for each shipment.
- From other countries, within the quota: a permit for that shipment. GAC issues these to holders of a beef and veal quota allocation. Over the quota, or without a permit, the goods come in under General Import Permit 100 and pay the over-access duty, unless they qualify for the Least Developed Country or Commonwealth Caribbean tariff.
Is your product covered?
Documents you may need
| Document | When you need it | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment-specific permitIssued by GAC for one shipment | Within the quota from countries without a trade agreement that covers beef; UK beef claiming CPTPP | If it applies |
| General Import Permit 100Published by GAC; no application | From the UK, CPTPP and the other agreement countries, with no over-access duty; from other countries, over the quota or without a permit | If it applies |
What stops goods at the border
Goods still enter without a quota permit. From countries without a trade agreement that covers beef, they come in under General Import Permit 100 and pay the over-access duty, unless they qualify for the Least Developed Country or Commonwealth Caribbean tariff.
Sources: Justice Laws, Global Affairs Canada, CBSA
- Import Control List, C.R.C., c. 604, Justice Laws, current to 2026-10-19
- Notice to importers 883: beef and veal imports, Global Affairs Canada, modified 2024-10-03
- Notice to importers 1164: CPTPP beef and veal, Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-07-03
- Customs Tariff 2026, chapter 2: meat and edible meat offal, CBSA, modified 2026-01-01
- Memorandum D19-10-2: Administration of the Export and Import Permits Act (importations), CBSA, modified 2026-10-22
- Import permits, Global Affairs Canada, modified 2025-12-04
Reviewed November 10, 2026.
Adhoc is not affiliated with Global Affairs Canada or CBSA.
Clear more entries with the team you have.
Adhoc’s agents classify each line, check it against CBSA and agency rules, and draft the declaration for your team to submit.
Book a walkthrough