I need to send two bags of coffee (2 * 250g) from the United Kingdom
to Canada as a personal gift. I plan to do this via regular airmail.
The coffee is French and of the brand Cafés Suavor Columbie (one bag)
and Cafés Suavor President (another bag).

The coffee is going to Toronto, Ontario (might be relevant if the
different provinces have different rules regarding foodstuff).

I need to know if Canada allows foodstuff to come into the country via
mail and what forms I need to fill out (if any)? Can I expect the bags
to arrive unscathed or will ravenous drug-sniffing dogs tear them
apart?

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Clarification of Question by sunbeam60-ga on 11 Sep 2004 02:44 PDT

I can find information about what I can _bring_ into Canada
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/publications/canada/canadae.shtml)
and to some extent the import procedure for foodstuff into Canada
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toc/importe.shtml), but I have
been unable to find any information about what I can send as a
personal gift.

Hi Sunbeam60, 

Shipping processed coffee products in a sealed container to Canada
should not pose any problem, though the recipient of the package will
have to pay duty on the item if it is marked as a gift and its stated
value exceeds CDN$60 (duty must be paid if it is NOT marked as a gift
and its value exceeds CDN$20).

You will not need to fill out any special form for the shipment. 
Coffee is not on the controlled substance list of the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency or of the Canada Border Services Agency.  However,
CBSA reserves the right to open any package that arrives by mail and
it is possible (though unlikely) that yours will be opened.  In such a
case the actual contents of the shipment will not be disturbed (though
they may be x-rayed) and a label will be placed on the package
indicating that it was opened and inspected at the border.

Details of the duties payable on mail sent to Canada are available
here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/postal/ind_duty_free-e.html

The Canadian Border Services statement on controlled and prohibited
goods is here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/acis/acis21-e.html

And most importantly the Canadian Food Inspection Agency list of
import regulations is here:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toc/importe.shtml

If you're still very concerned you can contact the CFIA by email on
this page: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/tools/feedback/commene.shtml
or call them at +1 613 225-2342.

I hope this answers your question, but feel free to ask for
clarification if you're still unclear.

Hibiscus

This was exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks a bunch.