Indonesian Vegetables: CFIA SFC Import Licence 2025 Guide

A plain‑English, step‑by‑step way to use CFIA’s AIRS in 2025 to confirm if specific Indonesian vegetables can enter Canada, which documents you’ll need (SFC import licence, phytosanitary certificate, permits), and how to translate Indonesian names to the HS codes CFIA expects.

If you’ve ever had a load delayed in Canada because the AIRS result didn’t match your paperwork, you know how expensive guesswork can be. We’ve helped buyers go from “not sure if it’s admissible” to clean releases by building one simple habit: check CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System before you book space. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how we do it for Indonesian vegetables in 2025.

The three pillars of a clean vegetable import into Canada

From our experience, every successful shipment rests on three things:

1. Correct AIRS result for your exact commodity and use. AIRS tells you if the vegetable is admissible from Indonesia and lists the mandatory documents and conditions. No shortcuts here.

2. The Canadian importer’s SFC licence is active and covers the activity “Importing.” Even when AIRS says Admissible with conditions, you still need the licence. AIRS is commodity-specific. The SFC licence is operator-specific.

3. Plant health documents match AIRS exactly. That typically means a phytosanitary certificate issued by Indonesia’s NPPO, and sometimes a Plant Protection Import Permit from CFIA. Names, scientific names, and quantities must line up.

If any one pillar is weak, CFIA can hold or refuse the load. So let’s make AIRS your first stop.

Step-by-step: how to check CFIA AIRS for Indonesian vegetables

Here’s the workflow we use in-house before quoting a program for, say, Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri) or Purple Eggplant.

1. Open AIRS. Search “CFIA AIRS” in your browser. Click the Automated Import Reference System.

2. Start a new query. Select the Country of origin as Indonesia. End Use: Human consumption. Then choose Search by Commodity or HS code.

3. Search smart. If your Indonesian name isn’t found, try:

• The English common name: “cucumber,” “eggplant,” “chili pepper,” “romaine lettuce.”
• The scientific name for higher accuracy: Cucumis sativus, Solanum melongena, Capsicum annuum, Lactuca sativa.
• HS chapter browsing when in doubt: fresh vegetables are typically Chapter 07; spices/herbs may appear in 09.

4. Select the exact commodity path. For example, “Vegetables. Cucumber. Fresh or chilled.” AIRS will then display Admissibility and Requirements.

5. Read all tabs. Don’t stop at the top line.

• Admissibility: Admissible, Admissible with conditions, Permit required, or Prohibited.
• Documents/Mandatory: Phytosanitary certificate, Plant Protection Import Permit, and other declarations as applicable.
• Other Requirements/Conditions: Cleanliness, absence of soil/leaves, pest treatment, packaging notes, and any additional inspection language.

6. Save a PDF or screenshot. We attach this to the PO so the paperwork team has a single source of truth.

Pro tip we’ve learned the hard way: rerun the AIRS query the week of shipment. Plant health statuses change. What was admissible last quarter can shift to permit required after a pest update.

Can I search with Indonesian names like kangkung or petai?

AIRS won’t recognize “kangkung,” “petai,” or “daun singkong.” Use the English or scientific equivalents:

• Kangkung, water spinach: Ipomoea aquatica.
• Petai: Parkia speciosa.
• Daun singkong, cassava leaves: Manihot esculenta leaves.
• Pandan leaves: Pandanus amaryllifolius.
• Cabai merah/cayenne: Capsicum annuum (fresh peppers generally under HS 0709.60).
• Timun/kyuri: Cucumis sativus (often HS 0707.00).
• Tomat: Solanum lycopersicum (often HS 0702).
• Terong: Solanum melongena (often HS 0709.30).
• Selada romaine: Lactuca sativa var. longifolia (under lettuce headings in HS 0705).

If you’re struggling to match the name, try the scientific name in AIRS. It’s the most reliable.

How does AIRS show if a phytosanitary certificate is needed?

You’ll see “Phytosanitary certificate: Required” under Documents/Mandatory. That means your shipment must carry a phytosanitary certificate from Indonesia’s NPPO. The certificate should list the scientific name, the quantity, and sometimes a treatment description if AIRS calls for it. If AIRS includes “Additional declarations,” those exact words must appear in the certificate’s declaration field.

For products like Tomatoes or Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili), AIRS commonly requires a phytosanitary certificate. For cut, frozen, or fully processed vegetables, AIRS may remove the phyto requirement, but always check the specific commodity and processing state.

What if AIRS shows Prohibited or Permit required?

• Prohibited. You can’t import that commodity for human consumption. Period. In recent AIRS checks, water spinach often surfaces as Prohibited fresh from many origins due to weed and pest concerns. Policies can change, but if AIRS says Prohibited, a standard commercial permit won’t override it.

• Permit required. Apply for a Plant Protection Import Permit through MyCFIA before shipping. Permits can take days to weeks. AIRS will reference the permit requirement in Documents/Mandatory.

When AIRS says Permit required or you see complex additional declarations, it’s wise to pause bookings until you have written clearance. Need help assessing a tricky commodity like pandan leaves or petai? You can Contact us on whatsapp and we’ll sanity-check the AIRS path you’re using.

If AIRS says Admissible with conditions, do I still need an SFC import licence?

Yes. The SFC import licence is separate from commodity admissibility. If you’re a Canadian importer bringing in fresh fruits and vegetables for human consumption, you need an active SFC licence that lists Importing. AIRS will not replace that requirement.

Where do I get the right HS code for AIRS?

Three reliable paths:

• Use AIRS’s Browse by HS chapter. Work down to the most precise line that matches your product state (fresh vs frozen vs dried) and variety.
• Check the Canadian Customs Tariff (CBSA). Confirm your code aligns with how AIRS categorizes the commodity.
• Ask your customs broker to validate. If your code and the AIRS commodity don’t match, expect a hold.

As a working example, fresh cucumbers typically fall under HS 0707.00. Fresh eggplant usually appears under HS 0709.30. Fresh peppers are usually HS 0709.60. Lettuce sits in HS 0705 lines. But you must confirm the exact subheading based on your commodity and presentation.

Does AIRS list extra inspections or CFIA holds?

AIRS will flag inspection or hold language in the conditions. You may see notes like “Inspection required” or pest-specific directives. In practice, CFIA and CBSA can still select shipments for inspection even if AIRS doesn’t mandate it. What you can control is completeness. Align your documents with AIRS, and most random holds become routine checks rather than prolonged detentions.

Real-world examples we check most often

• Kyuri cucumber. Fresh Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri) from Indonesia for human consumption. AIRS typically requires a phytosanitary certificate and cleanliness conditions. Watch for soil and leaf attachment wording.

• Eggplant. Fresh Purple Eggplant is often Admissible with conditions, including a phyto. Confirm if any regional pest restrictions apply.

• Chili peppers. Fresh Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili) commonly needs a phyto. Verify if an additional declaration is specified in AIRS.

• Romaine and leafy greens. For Baby Romaine (Baby Romaine Lettuce), AIRS paths can differ by form. Whole head vs cut leaves vs minimally processed changes the outcome. Fresh whole heads usually require careful cleanliness conditions and may trigger more frequent inspections.

• Pandan leaves. Often treated as plant parts and may require a permit and phyto. Use the scientific name and be precise about “fresh” vs “frozen” vs “dried.” Frozen herbs sometimes face fewer plant health requirements, but that’s commodity-specific.

• Water spinach (kangkung). As of late 2024 into 2025, fresh water spinach frequently shows Prohibited. Always run your current query. If Prohibited, consider value-added alternatives that are admissible.

• Petai (Parkia speciosa) and cassava leaves. These can fall into plant parts categories with permit and phyto requirements. AIRS is your arbiter. If you see Permit required, budget extra time.

The takeaway: define product state first. Fresh, frozen IQF, or dried will change AIRS results. For instance, our frozen lines like Premium Frozen Okra or Frozen Mixed Vegetables often fall under different HS chapters and document sets than the fresh versions.

Mistakes we see that delay Indonesian vegetable shipments

• Using local names on documents. If your invoice says “kangkung” and the phyto says Ipomoea aquatica, expect questions. Keep common, scientific, and HS aligned across every document.

• Picking the wrong end use. Forgetting to select “Human consumption” can flip an admissible result to a different requirement set.

• Not updating AIRS before shipping. We’ve seen requirement tweaks appear without fanfare. Recheck before cargo departs.

• Missing additional declarations. AIRS sometimes requires pest-specific statements on the phyto. If it’s not on the certificate, CFIA can refuse.

• HS mismatch between AIRS and CBSA entry. Even if the commodity is correct, a wrong subheading can cause holds.

What’s new or changing into 2025?

CFIA continues to tune AIRS entries as pest risk profiles evolve. Over the past six months we’ve noticed more precise wording around cleanliness and leaf attachment for some leafy commodities, and sporadic updates on Solanaceae pathways from Southeast Asia. The big message hasn’t changed. AIRS is dynamic. Treat your last search as stale data after a few weeks.

Resources and next steps

• Build your “AIRS pack.” Save a current AIRS PDF, your HS code confirmation, and a sample phytosanitary certificate with the exact additional declarations needed. Share that with your broker and shipper.
• Pilot one SKU first. Nail documentation on a single commodity like Tomatoes before expanding your assortment.
• When in doubt, ask. A five-minute pre-check often saves a five-day hold. If you want us to validate the AIRS path for your product and share a document checklist tailored to Indonesia origin, Contact us on whatsapp.

We use this exact workflow before we move any fresh load. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what keeps clearance predictable. And predictable is how you scale from sample cartons to weekly pallets without surprise costs. If you’re exploring a Canada program, you can also browse our current lines here: View our products.