Dry Cat Food: export from Canada to Southeast Asia
Dry cat food differs from dog food in ways that matter to formulation, not marketing: cats are obligate carnivores, so protein levels are higher, animal protein inclusion is essential rather than optional, and taurine supplementation is a nutritional requirement.
That higher animal-protein inclusion is also what makes the regulatory position tighter. Import requirements for pet food are separate from human food and frequently stricter on animal-origin ingredients, and a change of protein source can change eligibility entirely. Confirm for the specific formulation, not the manufacturer.
The commercial variables are formulation tier, protein source and inclusion, kibble size and shape, which matters more for cats than for dogs, and grain-free or grain-inclusive positioning.
Canadian producers compete on documented ingredient provenance rather than price, and private label is available at export volumes.
Pet food classifies under its own heading, generally distinguishing retail-packed product from bulk. The binding constraint is usually the animal-origin ingredient requirements, not the duty, so confirm eligibility first.
Canadian export requirements
- HS classification
- 2309.10: Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale
- CFIA certificates
- Available on request: send your specification and destination and we'll confirm within five working days.
Six-market position
| Market | MFN duty | Preferential | Registration category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | On request | On request | On request |
| Thailand | On request | On request | On request |
| Philippines | On request | On request | On request |
| Indonesia | On request | On request | On request |
| Malaysia | On request | On request | On request |
| Singapore | On request | On request | On request |
MFN duty is the destination's applied general rate for this tariff line. Preferential is the rate under an agreement in force between Canada and that market.
Both are customs duty only: destination excise, value-added tax and local levies are additional and are not shown here.
Available on request: send your specification and destination and we'll confirm within five working days.
Commercial terms
- Producing provinces
- Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec
- Seasonality
- Year-round production
- Pack formats
- 1.5 kg retail bags, 5 kg bags, 10 kg bags
- Container configuration
- On request
- Indicative MOQ
- On request
Common questions
- What is the HS code for dry cat food?
- 2309.10: Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale. This was read from Canada Border Services Agency on 2026-09-18. The first six digits are the same in every country that uses the Harmonised System; digits beyond that are set by the destination.
Sources
- Customs Tariff (T2026), Chapter 23 · Canada Border Services Agency, retrieved September 18, 2026
Last reviewed: September 1, 2026