A New Era for Food Shipments Across the Border

If you’ve tried sending food to friends or family in the United States this year and your package was rejected, you’re not alone.

With the 2025 suspension of the de minimis exemption, major carriers like The UPS Store can no longer accept food shipments destined for the U.S. This change has left many Canadians frustrated — especially those used to sending homemade goods or Canadian-only treats across the border.

At the same time, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have tightened inspection rules for travelers and exporters bringing food, plants, and agricultural products into the country.

At Nishan Transport, we help Canadian businesses and individuals navigate these evolving regulations and move goods across the border safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with both U.S. and Canadian standards.

What Changed: The Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption
The de minimis exemption previously allowed goods valued under $800 USD to enter the United States duty-free. However, in 2025, this exemption was suspended for food and agricultural products — disrupting low-value cross-border shipments.

As a result, The UPS Store and many other couriers are no longer accepting packages that contain any form of food for delivery to the U.S. In addition, all shipments of food and beverages now require prior approval through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) systems.

This policy change is designed to enhance traceability and ensure food safety, labeling accuracy, and plant health protection under stricter USDA and FDA oversight.

For Travelers: Declaring Food at the U.S. Border
Travelers entering the United States are required to declare all food, plant, and animal products on CBP Declaration Form 6059B (Question 11) — whether in your checked luggage, carry-on, or vehicle.

You must declare fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, and soil, as well as meats, poultry, eggs, and soups containing meat products. Animal products, trophies, hides, and biological samples must also be declared.

Why it matters:
Undeclared items can introduce pests or diseases that threaten U.S. crops and livestock. Even soil on shoes or camping gear can carry contaminants.

Failing to declare can result in confiscation of the items, civil fines of up to $1,000 for first-time offenders, and higher penalties for commercial violations.

Tip: Always declare agricultural items — even snacks or candy — to avoid fines and delays.

For Shippers: The Current Status of Food Shipments
While courier services like UPS have paused all food shipments, commercial freight through licensed logistics providers like Nishan Transport may still move eligible food products, provided they meet all U.S. import requirements.

At this time, food shipped as personal gifts through courier networks is not permitted because of the UPS suspension. However, commercial food freight shipments that meet the strict compliance standards of CFIA, FDA, USDA, and APHIS are still allowed. Non-food freight shipments remain unaffected and can continue with standard customs documentation.

If you’re a food manufacturer, distributor, or exporter, it’s critical to ensure all regulatory boxes are checked before shipping to avoid costly border delays or rejections.

CFIA, USDA, and FDA: Who Regulates What
Canadian food exporters must comply with multiple agencies on both sides of the border.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees food export certification and plant health compliance under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures food safety and enforces chemical contaminant limits, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) regulates grading, labeling, and size standards for imported produce. Additionally, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) manages phytosanitary requirements and pest prevention.

Before exporting, Canadian businesses should consult the Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database to verify import rules for their products.

Exporting Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FFV)
To export fresh produce to the United States, your establishment must be federally licensed by CFIA under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and hold an active license for export activity. Exporters must also comply with Section 8e of the U.S. Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act (AMAA), which governs grade verification.

Required documents for fresh fruit and vegetable shipments include an E3 Export Certificate (for potatoes, onions, and tomatoes), a C-PIQ Export Document (for participants in the Canadian Partners in Quality program), and a Phytosanitary Certificate to verify plant health. Prior Notice through the U.S. Customs Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is also required.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in product detention, inspection delays, or loss of U.S. market access.

Common Causes of Rejected Shipments
Shipments are often rejected or delayed at the U.S. border for reasons such as missing or incomplete export certificates, incorrect labeling or packaging, unapproved exporter establishments, or noncompliance with phytosanitary rules. Re-exporting “off-continent” produce, such as citrus products originally grown outside of North America, is also prohibited due to high plant health risks.

When shipments are refused, exporters must notify CFIA and handle the return logistics. Nishan Transport assists clients in coordinating returns and ensuring documentation corrections for future shipments.

Packaging and Labeling Best Practices
Whether you’re sending commercial freight or preparing for future consumer shipments, proper labeling and packaging are essential. Include a complete ingredient list on all packaged items and clearly mark packages as “gift” and “for personal consumption” when applicable. Packaging should be tamper-proof and watertight, and perishable goods should be insulated or refrigerated to prevent spoilage. Always keep original packaging intact and unaltered.

Proper labeling and packaging reduce inspection times and demonstrate compliance during CBP or CFIA checks.

How Nishan Transport Keeps You Compliant
Navigating cross-border food regulations can be overwhelming — that’s where Nishan Transport comes in.

We specialize in cross-border freight coordination between Canada and the United States, managing CFIA and USDA documentation, and providing temperature-controlled shipping for perishable products. Our team supports clients with phytosanitary and export certificates and handles real-time customs tracking and clearance assistance.

By working directly with regulatory bodies and customs brokers, Nishan Transport ensures your goods move smoothly, legally, and on time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I ship food from Canada to the U.S. in 2025?
Currently, no. The UPS Store and similar couriers cannot accept food products for U.S. delivery due to the suspension of the de minimis exemption. However, commercial freight shipments managed by licensed carriers like Nishan Transport may still be possible with proper documentation.

2. What do I need to export produce to the U.S.?
You’ll need a CFIA export license, an E3 or C-PIQ export certificate, a phytosanitary certificate if required, and prior notice filed through CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system.

3. Can I bring food with me when traveling to the U.S.?
Yes, but all food, plants, and animal products must be declared to CBP. Certain meats, fruits, and plants may be confiscated. Always declare to avoid fines.

4. Why are citrus and off-continent fruits restricted?
Non-U.S. origin citrus and similar produce pose a high phytosanitary risk, meaning they could carry pests or plant diseases. These products are prohibited from being re-exported from Canada to the U.S.

5. How can Nishan Transport help me stay compliant?
We provide end-to-end freight management, including documentation, certification, customs coordination, and temperature-controlled transport. Our logistics experts ensure your shipment meets CFIA, USDA, FDA, and APHIS standards for safe, compliant cross-border delivery.

Ship Smarter with Nishan Transport
The new 2025 rules have made cross-border food shipping more complex — but compliance doesn’t have to be confusing.

Nishan Transport helps Canadian businesses, distributors, and exporters navigate every step of the process, from paperwork to delivery.

Ready to ship confidently across the border?

 Contact Nishan Transport today for expert logistics solutions and compliance-ready freight services.