Facing rising packaging costs and strict CFIA compliance demands? As Canada’s foodservice industry grows at 4.2% annually (StatCan 2025), savvy buyers are switching to CFIA-certified aluminum containers, with wholesale orders cutting costs by 37% compared to plastic alternatives. This guide reveals the 8 critical size specifications ([21.6×15.2cm] takeout boxes to [33×23cm] catering pans) dominating Canadian commercial kitchens, complete with container loading diagrams to maximize your import ROI. Discover why 82% of Toronto-based distributors now mandate dual-certified (CFIA+FDA) foil packaging for heat-and-serve operations.
What Is The MOQ For Wholesale Aluminum Foil Containers In Canada
Canadian bulk buyers typically expect MOQs between 5,000 and 10,000 pieces for standard foil containers (e.g., trays, pans, lids). However, custom sizes and shapes (compartment container) may require higher MOQs due to container tooling costs. Thicker gauges or special coatings (anti-stick, heat sealable) typically start at 8,000 pieces.
Some Toronto/Vancouver importers will negotiate trial orders for low MOQ foil containers (2,000-3,000 pieces), especially with ISO 9001-certified suppliers who offer sample batches. The aluminum containers you require may vary in size, and YSA also supports mixed specifications for LCL (but total quantity requirements must be met). If you are just starting out with your project or are new to the aluminum industry, we also support small trial orders (≤2000 pieces).
What Technical Parameters Are Required For Custom Foil Containers
Customized aluminum foil containers require buyers to provide container specifications (length x width x height), material thickness, and quantity. At the same time, sellers need to provide Canadian CFIA food contact material standards or SGS test reports to prove that the material is non-toxic and specify restrictions on freezing, baking, and microwave use. If the buyer can only determine the capacity of the container but does not know the size and shape, the supplier should propose multiple solutions to help customers determine the shape.
Canadian catering foil containers focus on leakproof and sealing performance. Factories need to design flanges and lids with good sealing according to actual use during production. Actively test products and share the test process with buyers; or send samples to buyers for buyers to test themselves.
For non-laminated containers, high temperature testing is required. Normal aluminum foil containers can remain stable and leakproof at high temperatures.
Calculate Canadian Shipping Costs And Customs Clearance Process
Shipping costs are determined by shipping method, incidental charges and logistics.
YSA is usually shipped by sea. If the buyer uses full container packaging, the cost per 20/40 container from Shanghai to Vancouver is 3500-5500. LCL is charged by cubic meter, usually 80-150CBM.
Miscellaneous charges include fuel costs, terminal handling fees, peak season surcharges, etc.
Some strategies to optimize costs, such as consolidating LCL shipments to reduce cubic foot rates. Use FOB (Shanghai) to let buyers deal with Canadian costs, or use CIF (Vancouver) to simplify pricing. Or work with a freight forwarder to get quantity discounts.
Canada’s customs procedures prioritize compliance with the Customs Act and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations. Suppliers are required to prepare commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and CFIA documents, etc.
General tariff: 6.5% for aluminum containers (HS 7606.12).
If the goods meet the origin criteria (e.g., processed in China but shipped through the US/Mexico), it is reduced to 0% under CUSMA.
Taxes: GST/HST: 5–15% (based on Canadian provinces).
Provincial Sales Tax (PST): Applicable to BC (7%), Manitoba (7%), etc.
Total taxes/duties = (product value + freight + insurance) × (duty % + GST/HST %).
Customs clearance work process:
- Pre-shipping: Classify HS codes, prepare documentation, and designate a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) authorized broker.
- Arrival at port: Submit electronic manifest via ACE system 24 hours prior to arrival.
- Payment of duties: Broker submits B3-3 form and pays duties/taxes on behalf of importer.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspection (if triggered): Verifies food safety compliance; delay costs are approximately $200–500/day.
- Release: If there are no issues, the cargo will be cleared within 48 hours.
YSA Aluminum Container Heat Resistance Performance
The Canadian catering industry has requirements for aluminum containers for freezing, high-temperature baking and microwave heating.
If customers have requirements for the temperature resistance of aluminum foil containers, they need to let the containers pass the ASTM B479 test. Aluminum foil that passes this standard can effectively isolate oxygen, moisture and light, and can be safely used at −20°C to 250°C, and is suitable for ovens/freezers/microwave ovens. At the same time, aluminum foil products that meet ASTM B479 are 100% recyclable, which meets the environmental protection requirements of Canadian provinces for disposable plastic substitutes.
If the supplier can provide Canadian UL certified insulation test data, it will be more convincing.
Can You Print Food Labels That Comply With Canadian Regulations
YSA is printed with food-grade ink, uses Canadian-specific English and French labels (such as “Aluminum Foil Container/Contenant en aluminium”), and has food contact marks and temperature range reminders. Special use scenarios will have unique reminders.
We directly connect to Canada’s Recycle BC standards:
| Type | Printing |
| Recycle Sign | Diameter ≥8mm + resin number |
| Carbon Footprint Label | By kgCO2//Thousands of pieces |
| FSC Certification Mark | Certificate number + traceability QR code |
YSA provides free SGS and FDA test reports, supports Pantone spot color matching, and can print QR traceability codes.
How To Verify A Supplier’s Environmental Credentials
To verify the environmental qualifications of aluminum foil container suppliers, it is necessary to combine international standards, China’s export requirements and Canadian market regulations.
Buyers can ask suppliers to provide ISO certificate numbers and check the validity through the official website of the China Certification and Accreditation Administration or the International Certification Alliance IQNet. Provide an “Aluminum Composition Analysis Report” issued by a third-party laboratory to confirm the proportion of primary aluminum and recycled aluminum, and whether the coating meets FDA/CFIA food contact standards. Require suppliers to provide RoHS test reports, focusing on checking the residual harmful substances.
How To Handle After-sales
YSA has a perfect after-sales solution.
Once we receive a customer complaint about the quality of the aluminum foil container, we will confirm it by email/phone within 2 hours, using the customer’s native language template (English/French/Spanish), and attach a link to the “Quality Problem Registration Form”. At the same time, we will collect multi-dimensional information and ask customers to provide photos of the problematic products (batch number, defect close-up), video evidence, purchase order number and arrival date.
We will retrieve the raw material test report, pressure curve data, finished product sampling record and container temperature and humidity record of the same batch, and find the cause within 48 hours.
If it is our problem, we will compensate the buyer by reissuing the goods, giving a discount coupon for the next order or a full refund.
Popular Specifications In Canada Market
There are 3 common aluminum container names and sizes in Canada:
Foil Takeout Containers with Lids
Foil takeout containers with lids, also known as F2 containers, are leak-proof fast food containers and commercial takeout containers. They are suitable for hamburger meals, salads or fried rice. Specification:
- Top Size: 216x115x55mm
- Bottom Size: 185x80mm
- Volume: 750ml
- Weight: 9g
Standard Foil Roasting Pan
Standard foil baking pans are heavy-duty foil baking pans, half-size foil baking pans, 9×13-inch containers. They are usually designed with reinforced ribs to maximize load bearing, can be grilled at high temperatures, and can be used normally in gas and electric ovens. Specification:
- Top Size: 320x260x89mm
- Bottom Size: 246x185mm
- Volume: 3800ml
- Weight: 40-60g
Compartment Food Trays
Compartment Food Trays are divided dinner trays, with two, three or four compartments being more common. The most commonly used Canadian compartment container is the three-compartment aluminum foil lunch box, which has two small compartments and one large compartment. It can be directly used for heating in an air fryer and is suitable for meal prep food packaging. Specification:
- Top Size: 230x180x40mm
- Bottom Size: 195x145mm
- Volume: 780ml
- Weight: 13g
Payment Methods for Bulk Purchases
For Canadian bulk purchase customers, we usually provide flexible, secure and international trade practice options.
If it is a new customer or a small or medium-sized order, we will recommend T/T, L/C or third-party guarantee transactions for customers. For long-term customers, we allow customers to pay in installments, O/A or local settlement in Canadian dollars.
How To Get A Free Sample Test
You can directly visit our “Free Sample” contact page, enter the specifications and sample quantity you want, fill in your name, contact information and submit the form. Within 2 hours, our professional business manager will contact you via WhatsApp/phone/email to discuss the sample mailing method and arrival date. We will prepare it for you immediately and ship it quickly.