FAQ — US Food Registration Support

Question 1

Who is required to register with the FDA?

Accepted Answer

Domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States must register with the FDA. This requirement applies to facilities that produce food intended for U.S. consumption, regardless of where the facility is located.

Question 2

How often does FDA food facility registration need to be renewed?

Accepted Answer

FDA food facility registrations must be renewed every year. The renewal window runs from October 1 through December 31. Failure to renew on time can result in suspension of your registration, which can disrupt your ability to import or distribute food in the U.S.

Question 3

How long does the registration process take?

Accepted Answer

Once we have all the required information from you, we typically complete the FDA registration submission within 1–3 business days. The FDA generally processes registrations promptly, and you will receive a registration number upon successful submission.

Question 4

What is a U.S. Agent and why is one required?

Accepted Answer

Foreign food facilities that export food to the United States are required by FDA regulations (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart H) to designate a U.S. Agent. The U.S. Agent serves as the FDA's primary point of contact for the foreign facility and must be physically located in the United States.

Question 5

What does a U.S. Agent do?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Agent serves as the communication link between the FDA and the foreign food facility. The U.S. Agent receives FDA communications, assists with inspections, and ensures the facility is reachable by the FDA. The U.S. Agent does not take on legal liability for the facility's compliance.

Question 6

Can the U.S. Agent be the same as the importer of record?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the U.S. Agent can be the same person or entity as the importer of record, a U.S. distributor, or any other U.S.-based representative. However, many foreign facilities prefer to designate a dedicated U.S. Agent service to ensure reliable FDA communication.

Question 7

What is prior notice and when must it be submitted?

Accepted Answer

Prior notice is a notification to the FDA that food is being imported or offered for import into the United States. It must be submitted before the food arrives at the U.S. port of entry. The required advance notice period varies by mode of transportation (e.g., 2 hours for road shipments, 4 hours for air shipments, 8 hours for rail, and 8 hours for ocean).

Question 8

What information is needed for prior notice?

Accepted Answer

Prior notice requires information about the food article (including FDA product code), the manufacturer and shipper, the country of origin, the anticipated arrival information, the importer, and the U.S. owner or consignee. We help you gather and submit all required information accurately.

Question 9

What is FSVP?

Accepted Answer

FSVP stands for Foreign Supplier Verification Program. It is a requirement under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that requires importers of food into the United States to verify that their foreign suppliers are producing food in a manner that provides the same level of public health protection as required under U.S. law.

Question 10

Who is subject to FSVP requirements?

Accepted Answer

Most importers of food into the United States are subject to FSVP requirements. There are some exemptions, including for certain small importers and for food that is subject to other FSMA rules. We can help you determine whether FSVP applies to your imports and what steps you need to take.

Question 11

Is US Food Registration Support affiliated with the FDA?

Accepted Answer

No. US Food Registration Support is an independent private service provider. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other government agency. We provide professional consulting and administrative assistance to help businesses navigate FDA requirements.

Question 12

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept major credit cards and debit cards through our secure online payment system powered by Stripe. Payment is required before we begin work on your registration or compliance matter.

Question 13

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us to discuss our refund policy for your specific service. We are committed to client satisfaction and will work with you to address any concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

FDA Food Facility Registration

U.S. Agent Services

Prior Notice Filing

Import Compliance & FSVP

About Our Services

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