The Canada market for Indian dehydrated garlic and onion
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. US buyers commonly require low-micro (steam/heat-treated) grades.
Indian community in Canada (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 3,247,980 (PIO 1,859,680 + NRI 1,388,300).
Dehydrated Garlic and Onion specification for Canada orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 5-6% onion; ≤ 6% garlic (typical) |
| Colour | White to creamish (white onion); pink (red onion) (typical) |
| Mesh sizes | Flakes 8-20 mm; chopped 3-5 mm; minced 1-3 mm; granules 0.2-0.5 mm; powder 80-100 mesh (typical) |
| TPC | ≤ 100,000-500,000 cfu/g standard; lower for low-micro grades (typical) |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Canada requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Canada
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Importer licence & controls | CFIA (SFCR) | SFC licence (My CFIA); Preventive Control Plan; traceability; AIRS requirements |
| Labelling | CFIA / Health Canada | Bilingual labels; allergens; nutrition facts |
| Phytosanitary | CFIA | Import permit/PSC per AIRS; ISPM-15 |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping dehydrated garlic and onion to Canada
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Montreal: 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days. Halifax alternative gateway; +1-3 days rail Montreal/Halifax to Toronto; St Lawrence winter restrictions
Supply window: Indian dehydrated garlic and onion is mainly produced or harvested Harvest Mar-Apr (ASSUMPTION); Rabi (storable) Mar-May; kharif Oct-Dec; late-kharif Jan-Feb (ASSUMPTION). Allow 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Canada customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 10-14 MT (flakes) / 14-17 MT (powder), 40' HC about 20-24 MT.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Montreal is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Canada
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Montreal / Halifax / Port of Toronto (minor), inland; also rail from Vancouver/Prince Rupe | HORECA, Indian diaspora grocery/spice distributors (largest in Canada), apparel & home-textile importers |
| Montreal | Port of Montreal (St Lawrence container port) · Montréal-Trudeau (YUL); Montréal-Mirabel ( | HORECA, aerospace & engineering-component buyers, apparel & textile importers |
| Vancouver | Port of Vancouver (Canada's largest port; Deltaport, Centerm, Vanterm) · Vancouver Interna | Indian (Punjabi) diaspora grocers & restaurants, lumber/pulp traders, apparel |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import dehydrated garlic and onion into Canada?
Key requirements: Importer licence & controls — CFIA (SFCR) (SFC licence (My CFIA); Preventive Control Plan; traceability; AIRS requirements); Labelling — CFIA / Health Canada (Bilingual labels; allergens; nutrition facts); Phytosanitary — CFIA (Import permit/PSC per AIRS; ISPM-15). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Canada take?
Typically 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Montreal, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Canada have a trade agreement with India?
No FTA. India–Canada CEPA negotiations relaunched March 2026 (2nd round May 2026; aim to conclude by end-2026) [S7]. Canada's GPT preferences apply to many Indian goods. CONFLICT: 06 §C.7 says talks 'paused'; S7 (28 Oct 2026) reports relaunch and rounds in 2026 — S7 is newer A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to dehydrated garlic and onion from India?
Usually HS 071220. Canada applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What forms of dehydrated onion do you supply?
Flakes (kibbled), chopped, minced, granules and powder, plus fried (crispy) onion.
Where is Indian dehydrated onion made?
Mainly in the Mahuva cluster of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, using white onion grown in Saurashtra.
What is the shelf life?
Typically 18-24 months in sealed, double-poly-lined cartons stored dry.
Related guides
Request a quote: dehydrated garlic and onion to Canada
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Canada. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.