Memoranda of the Canadian Grain Commission

Grain shipments to Mexico

Trade memo number

2026-07

Date issued

2026-08-01

This memo is a reminder that paragraph 84(b) of the Canada Grain Act requires that anyone shipping grain out of Canada must obtain written permission from the Canadian Grain Commission.

There is an exception to that provision, set out in paragraph 70(b) of the Canada Grain Regulations, for shipments by rail or truck to a final destination in the United States. This exception does not apply to shipments of grain destined to Mexico via the United States.

The Canadian Grain Commission has a responsibility to ensure that quality issues are properly addressed for any grain being exported from Canada. The following is the information that the Canadian Grain Commission needs, and what will be asked of the industry, in order for the Canadian Grain Commission to grant permission for the rail/truck movement of grain from Canada to Mexico via the United States:

1. If Canadian Grain Commission quality or weight certification is not required by the buyer of the grain, the Canadian Grain Commission will need the following information in writing to grant permission:
2. 1. sufficient documentation to satisfy the Canadian Grain Commission that such certification is not required
   2. expected date of the shipment
   3. origin and destination of the shipment
   4. tonnage and expected grade of grain being shipped
   5. an undertaking to provide railcar numbers at the time of loading

The above information will be used for statistical purposes.

Requests for Canadian Grain Commission permission to ship grain out of Canada without Canadian Grain Commission certification should be sent to the Canadian Grain Commission inspection manager where the grain is to be shipped from.

Further information may be required, and conditions may be attached for permission to be granted by the Canadian Grain Commission.

If the Canadian Grain Commission is not inspecting or weighing grain, the Canadian Grain Commission cannot be involved in the resolution of any quality or weight disputes that may arise respecting that grain.

2. If Canadian Grain Commission quality (sampling, analysis or inspection) or weight certification is required, the Canadian Grain Commission will conduct the quality or weight certification at loading of the grain. Permission to ship need not be requested in writing if arrangements have been made through the appropriate Canadian Grain Commission regional operations manager to be on site at loading.

Inquiries

Questions related to this memorandum should be directed to: Derek Bunkowsky, Chief Grain Inspector for Canada, at 204-297-8541 or by email at derek.bunkowsky@grainscanada.gc.ca.

Derek Bunkowsky
Chief Grain Inspector for Canada
Industry Services
800-303 Main Street
Winnipeg MB  R3C 3G8