IMPORTED FOOD 

SHIPMENTS

PRIOR NOTICE OF

Protecting the U.S. Food Supply

U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services

The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism

Preparedness and Response Act of 2002

April 2009

What You Need to Know About

A Small Entity Compliance Guide
This guidance document is a restatement of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA's) current requirements 

for prior notice of food presented in simplified format and language. As guidance, it is not binding on either 

FDA or the public. FDA notes, however, that the regulation that is the basis for this pamphlet establishes 

requirements for all covered activities. For this reason, FDA strongly recommends that affected parties consult 

the regulation at 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I, in addition to reading this pamphlet. 

The Food and Drug Administration has prepared this guidance to restate the legal requirements set forth in 

21 CFR 1.276 through 1.285 concerning prior notice of imported food under the Public Health Security and 

Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. This guide is intended to help any entity, regardless of 

size, to comply with the regulations that require the submission to FDA of prior notice of food, including 

animal feed, that is imported or offered for import into the United States. This document also serves as FDA’s 

Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory 

Enforcement Fairness Act (Public Law 104-121).

U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration

U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services
INTRODUCTION

The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the 

Bioterrorism Act) directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as the food regulatory agency 

of the Department of Health and Human Services, to take additional steps to protect the public from 

a threatened or actual terrorist attack on the U.S. food supply or other food-related emergencies. 

To carry out the provisions of the Bioterrorism Act, FDA has issued a final regulation amending the 

existing requirements in 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I, which requires that FDA be given advance notice 

on shipments of imported food. 

The amended regulations go into effect on May 6, 2009.

Purpose of this Booklet

This booklet was created to inform food transporters, food importers and exporters, foreign 

manufacturers and growers, and food filers and brokers about the prior notice requirements, as 

amended. It contains important information that may affect your food imports.

The information in this booklet also appears online at http://www.fda.gov through the Prior Notice 

of Imports link.

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ABOUT PRIOR NOTICE 

Prior Notice Requirement

As of December 12, 2003, FDA must be notified in advance of any shipments of food for 

humans and other animals that are imported into the U.S., unless the food is excluded from 

Prior Notice.

Why Prior Notice Is Required

Prior Notice of imported food shipments will give FDA time to: 

• Review and evaluate information before a food product arrives in the U.S. 

• Better deploy resources to conduct inspections

• Help intercept contaminated products 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINAL RULE

On October 10, 2003, the Secretaries of the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) 

and Homeland Security (DHS) jointly published an interim final rule (IFR) to implement prior 

notice. The IFR took effect on December 12, 2003, as required by the Bioterrorism Act; however, 

FDA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) gave interested persons 165 days to 

comment on the provisions of the IFR that we would consider as we developed the final rule. 

The final rule, which takes effect on May 6, 2009, retains the majority of the requirements found 

in the IFR and includes revisions in a few key areas. 

Highlights of the final rule: 

• The final rule retains the minimum timeframes for submitting prior notice that are in the IFR. 

• To assist importers, the final rule now permits prior notice submissions to be submitted no more 

than 15 calendar days before the anticipated date of arrival for submissions made through FDA’s 

Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI) and no more than 30 calendar days before the anticipated 

date of arrival for submission made through CBP’s Automated Broker Interface of the 

Automated Commercial System (ABI/ACS), instead of the 5 calendar days required in the IFR. 

• The final rule adds a definition for "manufacturer" as the last facility, as that word is defined in 

21 CFR 1.227(b)(2), that manufactured/processed the food and provides an alternative for 

identifying the manufacturer when the registration number is not provided such as when it is 

not known. 

• The final rule exempts from prior notice food in diplomatic bags/pouches based on the authority 

in Art. 27(3) of The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which states: “The 

diplomatic bag shall not be opened or detained.” 

• The final rule allows, when certain conditions are met, for the submission of the express 

consignment operator or carrier tracking number in lieu of the anticipated arrival information, 

Bill of Lading, or Airway Bill number and flight number, which the IFR required. 
How “Food” Is Defined for Prior Notice

For purposes of Prior Notice, “food” is defined as:

• Articles used for food or drink for man or other animals

• Chewing gum

• Articles used for components of items listed in the 1st and 2nd bullets 

Examples of “Food”

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Fish and seafood

• Dairy products 

• Eggs 

• Raw agricultural commodities for use as food or as components of food 

• Animal feed (including pet food) 

• Food and feed ingredients 

• Food and feed additives

• Dietary supplements and dietary ingredients 

• Infant formula 

• Beverages (including alcoholic beverages and bottled water) 

• Live food animals

• Bakery goods 

• Snack foods

• Candy

• Canned foods

Industry Sectors Affected

• Domestic and foreign cross-border transporters (rail, truck, ship, air)

• Domestic and foreign importers

• Domestic and foreign exporters

• Domestic and foreign filers and brokers

• Domestic and foreign manufacturers and growers

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Note: “Food” does not include food contact substances or pesticides.

Which Industry Sectors Are Affected by Prior Notice

If you export, transport, or import food into/through the United States, FDA must be given Prior 

Notice of imported food shipments. 
Exclusions

• Food carried by or otherwise accompanying (e.g., baggage) an individual arriving in the 

U.S. for that individual's personal use (i.e., for consumption by themselves, family, or 

friends, and not for sale or other distribution)

• Food made by an individual in his/her personal residence and sent by that individual as a 

personal gift (i.e., for non-business reasons) to an individual in the U.S.

• Food that is imported then exported without leaving the port of arrival until export

• Meat food products, poultry products, and egg products that at the time of importation 

are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Egg 

Products Inspection Act

• Food in diplomatic bags/pouches based on the authority in Art. 27(3) of The Vienna 

Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961)

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The following chart lists exclusions from the Prior Notice rule. If any of these exclusions apply to 

a food shipment you are importing, you do NOT have to submit Prior Notice for that shipment.

Who Can Give Prior Notice

Any individual with knowledge of the required information can submit Prior Notice. This 

includes individuals, manufacturers, exporters, brokers, importers, and U.S. agents.

What If You Fail to Give Adequate Prior Notice

Food that is imported or offered for import with inadequate Prior Notice is subject to refusal and, 

if refused, must be held at the port of entry unless directed to another location. The importing or 

offering for import into the U.S. of an article of food in violation of Prior Notice requirements is 

a “Prohibited Act” under the laws FDA administers. FDA has provided its staff with enforcement 

guidance containing the agency's policies on refusals, holds, injunctions, prosecution, and 

debarment related to failure to provide timely and accurate Prior Notice or otherwise comply 

with FDA Prior Notice regulations. 

Note: Prior Notice guidance documents are available to the public and posted on FDA’s 

website. FDA will continue to update these as appropriate.

Food Imports Requiring Prior Notice (Unless Exclusions Apply)

Which Food Imports Require Prior Notice 

Prior Notice is required for imports of all foods that are subject to the regulation. However, 

certain exclusions apply.

The following chart lists food imports that require Prior Notice. If the food you are importing 

falls under one of these requirements, be sure to review the Exclusions box (below) to see 

whether any exclusions apply.

• Food imported for use, storage, or distribution in the U.S. (including gifts and trade and 

quality assurance/quality control and market research samples) 

• Food transshipped through the U.S. to another country 

• Food imported for future export, or food for use in a Foreign Trade Zone, unless it is on 

the list of exclusions on the following page
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When to Give Prior Notice of a Shipment 

FDA must electronically receive and confirm Prior Notice before a food shipment arrives at the 

first port in the United States (port of arrival). The deadline for submitting Prior Notice depends

on the mode of transportation used for shipment.

Except in the case of food arriving by international mail, FDA must receive and confirm a 

Prior Notice: 1) no more than 30 days before a shipment arrives, if Prior Notice is submitted 

via ABI/ACS; or 2) no more than 15 days before a shipment arrives, if Prior Notice is submitted

via FDA’s PNSI. 

In addition:

For Shipments Arriving: Prior Notice Must Be Submitted:

By land via road No less than 2 hours before arriving at the port of arrival

By land via rail No less than 4 hours before arriving at the port of arrival

By air No less than 4 hours before arriving at the port of arrival

By water No less than 8 hours before arriving at the port of arrival

By international mail Before the food is sent 

Carried by or otherwise Within the timeframe for the applicable mode of 

accompanying an individual transportation

How to Give Prior Notice

Prior Notice must be submitted electronically through either of the following systems: 

• ACS of the Customs and Border Protection Service (CBP)

• FDA PNSI (http://www.access.fda.gov)

The FDA Prior Notice System Interface is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. FDA’s and 

CBP’s computer systems enable you to submit Prior Notice as part of the entry process. This 

will avoid duplication of information.

If a broker’s or filer’s system or ACS is not operating, Prior Notice must be submitted through 

the FDA Prior Notice System Interface. 

If the FDA Prior Notice System Interface is not operating, or if the Operational and 

Administrative System for Import Support (OASIS) is not operating, FDA will post prominent 

notification and instructions from the System Status link that can be accessed from the Prior 

Notice of Imports link at http://www.fda.gov. FDA will accept Prior Notice submissions in the 

format it deems appropriate during the system(s) outage.

GIVING PRIOR NOTICE OF AN IMPORTED FOOD SHIPMENT
Getting Help With Prior Notice

FDA offers an online tutorial on how to use the FDA Prior Notice System Interface at 

http://www.access.fda.gov. The FDA Prior Notice System Interface has Help features and 

interactive feedback to assist the submitter and minimize spelling mistakes and omissions. In 

addition FDA has two systems for assistance with Prior Notice:

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For assistance with ACS transmissions, contact your Customs and Border Protection Service 

client representative.

The food must be accompanied by Prior Notice 

confirmation.

If... Then...

The Prior Notice confirmation number must 

accompany the food and be provided upon arrival.

Prior Notice is submitted to the FDA 

PNSI

An article of food arrives by 

international mail

An article of food is carried by or 

otherwise accompanies an individual

The parcel must bear the Prior Notice confirmation 

number. 

Note: Unless the Prior Notice is for food arriving by international mail or is carried by or 

otherwise accompanies an individual, Prior Notice submitted by ABI/ACS does not require 

additional documentation (although it may be prudent for the carrier to have a copy of Prior 

Notice confirmation or the number in his/her possession when arriving at the port of arrival).

FDA Prior Notice Center answers questions about 

Prior Notice policies, procedures and interpretations

Hours: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Phone: 1-866-521-2297

FDA Industry Systems Help Desk answers technical 

and computer-related questions about the Prior Notice 

System Interface

Hours: 7:30 AM – 11 PM U.S Eastern Time

Phone: 1-800-216-7331 or 301-575-0156

FAX: 1-866-573-2804 or 301-436-2804

Email: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~furls/helpf2.html

and complete the form
Information Required for Prior Notice

Importers or brokers already provide most of the information required for Prior Notice to the 

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection when goods arrive in the U.S. Now, according to the 

Bioterrorism Act, FDA must receive the information before a shipment of food arrives.

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Required Information

• Name, business address, telephone, and email of the individual submitting Prior Notice, as 

well as firm name and address (if applicable)

• Name, firm name (if applicable) and business address, telephone, and email of the 

individual transmitting Prior Notice (if someone else is transmitting Prior Notice on behalf 

of the submitter)

• Entry type and CBP identifier (if identifier is available)

• Identification for each article of food in the shipment:

a. FDA product code

b. Common product name or market name

c. Estimated quantity (from smallest package size to largest container) 

d. Lot, code number or other identifier (if food is required to have one)1

• If the food is no longer in its natural state: manufacturer’s name and either 1) the 

registration number, city, and country of the manufacturer, or 2) both the full address of the 

manufacturer and the reason the registration number is not provided (reasons listed in the 

Compliance Policy Guide for Prior Notice of Imported Food)

• If the food is in its natural state: name of grower and growing location, if known

• FDA Country of Production

• Shipper’s (sender’s, if food is mailed) name and full address 

• Country from which food is shipped; or, if food is imported by international mail, the 

anticipated date of mailing and country from which food is mailed

• Anticipated arrival information (location, date, and time); or, if food is imported by 

international mail, the U.S. recipient’s name and address

• Name and full address of importer, owner, and consignee, unless the shipment is imported 

or offered for import for transshipment through the U.S. under a transportation and 

exportation (T&E) entry; or, if food is imported by international mail, the U.S. recipient’s 

name and address 

• Carrier and mode of transportation (except for food imported by international mail) 

• Planned shipment information (except for food imported by international mail) 

1 Currently, low acid canned foods, acidified foods, and infant formula are required to bear lot codes or other 

identifiers [see 21 CFR 113.60(c) (low-acid canned foods); 21 CFR 114.80(b) (acidified foods); and 21 CFR 

106.90 (infant formula low-acid canned foods)].
Prior Notice Screen

Here is a sample screen from the FDA Prior Notice System Interface: 

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Correcting Errors During Submission

Both ACS and the FDA Prior Notice System Interface review the Prior Notice information you 

submit and provide feedback to help minimize errors. During submission, if information is 

missing or appears to be incorrect, or if there appear to be typographical errors, the system will 

give you an opportunity to make corrections electronically. 

How Prior Notice Is Acknowledged

Once you submit all of the required Prior Notice information, you will receive confirmation, 

including a confirmation number, from FDA directly or from FDA through CBP’s ACS.

Presenting Prior Notice Confirmation on Shipment Arrival

FDA recommends that Prior Notice confirmation accompanies any shipment of imported food.

What to Do If Information Changes After Confirmation

FDA must have adequate time to receive, review, and respond to each Prior Notice submission. 

Therefore, you cannot amend or change Prior Notice information once FDA has confirmed it. 

Instead, if any of the information in the table on page 12 changes, you must submit a new 

Prior Notice.

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Note: This confirmation means that FDA has deemed your Prior Notice facially complete. 

The confirmation does NOT mean that FDA has determined your Prior Notice is accurate, 

that FDA has approved the shipment, or that FDA has determined that the shipment may 

proceed without further FDA action. Subsequent system review and review by FDA staff 

may result in inspection of the imported food shipment upon arrival, or other action.

Note: FDA suggests that you cancel the previous Prior Notice before submitting a new one. 

If a Shipment Arrives...

By commercial carrier

By international mail

Carried by or otherwise 

accompanying an 

individual arriving in 

the U.S.

If Prior Notice was submitted through the FDA Prior Notice 

System Interface, the carrier must have the Prior Notice 

confirmation number. In other cases, it is prudent for the carrier 

to have a copy of Prior Notice confirmation or the confirmation 

number in his/her possession when arriving at the port of arrival.

The package must bear the Prior Notice confirmation number.

The individual must have a copy of Prior Notice confirmation.
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Information Changes Requiring New Prior Notice

• Name, business address, telephone, and email of the individual submitting Prior Notice, as 

well as firm name and address (if applicable)

• Name, firm name (if applicable) and business address, telephone, and email of the 

individual transmitting Prior Notice (if someone else is transmitting Prior Notice on behalf 

of the submitter)

• Entry type and CBP identifier (if identifier is available)

• Identification for each article of food in the shipment:

a. FDA product code

b. Common product name or market name

c. Estimated quantity (from smallest package size to largest container) 

d. Lot, code number or other identifier (if food is required to have one)1

• If the food is no longer in its natural state: manufacturer’s name and either 1) the 

registration number, city, and country of the manufacturer, or 2) both the full address of the 

manufacturer and the reason they registration number is not provided (reasons listed in the 

Compliance Policy Guide for Prior Notice of Imported Food)

• If the food is in its natural state: name of grower and growing location, if known

• FDA Country of Production

• Shipper’s (sender’s, if food is mailed) name and full address 

• Country from which food is shipped; or, if food is imported by international mail, the 

anticipated date of mailing and country from which food is mailed

• U.S. recipient’s name and address, if food is shipped; or, for food imported by international 

mail, the anticipated date of mailing

• Name and full address of importer, owner, and consignee, unless the shipment is imported 

or offered for import for transshipment through the U.S. under a T&E entry; or, if food is 

imported by international mail, the U.S. recipient’s name and address 

• Carrier and mode of transportation (except for food imported by international mail) 

1 Currently, low acid canned foods, acidified foods, and infant formula are required to bear lot codes or other 

identifiers [see 21 CFR 113.60(c) (low-acid canned foods); 21 CFR 114.80(b) (acidified foods); and 21 CFR 

106.90 (infant formula low-acid canned foods)].

Note: Changes in estimated quantity, anticipated arrival, and planned shipment information 

do NOT require a new Prior Notice.

Note: The Prior Notice "clock" starts again when Prior Notice with the correct information 

is confirmed by FDA.

Submitting Prior Notice for Food That Has Been Refused Due to Inadequate 

Prior Notice

Prior Notice for food that was previously refused for inadequate Prior Notice must include: 

• Port of arrival

• Actual quantity

• Location where the refused food is being, or will be, held

• Date it arrived, or will arrive, at that location

• Identification of the contact person at that location
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How to Get More Information 

Information on FDA's actions involving the Bioterrorism Act is available online at 

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsbtact.html.

FIND OUT MORE 
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WHAT It Is: As of December 12, 2003, FDA must be notified in advance of any shipments of food for 

humans and other animals that are imported into the U.S., unless the food is excluded from Prior Notice.

WHY It’s Required: To give FDA time to:

• Review and evaluate information before a food product arrives in the U.S. 

• Better deploy resources to conduct inspections; and

• Help intercept contaminated products. 

HOW “Food” Is Defined for Prior Notice: For purposes of Prior Notice, “food” is defined as:

Articles used for food or drink for man or other animals; chewing gum; and articles used for 

components of any such articles (excluding food contact substances and pesticides).

WHICH Industry Sectors Are Affected

• Domestic and foreign cross-border transporters (rail, truck, ship, air) 

• Domestic and foreign importers of food

• Domestic and foreign exporters of food

• Domestic and foreign filers and brokers

• Domestic and foreign manufactures and growers

FDA’S PRIOR NOTICE REGULATION AT-A-GLANCE

Required Information

• Name, address, telephone, and email of the individual submitting Prior Notice, as well as the firm name 

and address, if applicable 

• Name, firm name (if applicable) and business address, telephone, and email of the individual 

transmitting Prior Notice (if someone else is transmitting Prior Notice on behalf of the submitter)

• Entry type and CBP identifier (if identifier is available)

• Identification for each article of food in the shipment:

a) FDA product code

b) Common product name or market name

c) Estimated quantity (from smallest package size to largest container) 

d) Lot, code number or other identifier (if the food is required to have one)1

• If the food is no longer in its natural state: manufacturer’s name and either 1) the registration number, 

city, and country of the manufacturer, or 2) both the full address of the manufacturer and the reason the 

registration number is not provided (reasons listed in the Compliance Policy Guide for Prior Notice of 

Imported Food)

• If the food is in its natural state: name of grower and growing location, if known 

• FDA Country of Production

• Shipper’s (sender’s, if food is mailed) name and full address 

• Country from which the food is shipped or, if the food is imported by international mail, the anticipated 

date of mailing and country from which the food is mailed

• Anticipated arrival information (location, date, and time); or, if the food is imported by international 

mail, the U.S. recipient’s name and address

• Name and full address of importer, owner, and consignee, unless the shipment is imported or offered 

for import for transshipment through the U.S. under a T&E entry; or, if the food is imported by 

international mail, the U.S. recipient’s name and address)

• Carrier and mode of transportation (except for food imported by international mail)

• Planned shipment information (except for food imported by international mail)

1 Currently, low acid canned foods, acidified foods, and infant formula are required to bear lot codes or other identifiers 

[see 21 CFR 113.60(c) (low-acid canned foods); 21 CFR 114.80(b) (acidified foods); and 21 CFR 106.90 (infant 

formula low-acid canned foods)].
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WHO Can Give Prior Notice: Any individual with knowledge of the required information — 

including individuals, manufacturers, exporters, brokers, importers, and U.S. agents.

HOW to Give Prior Notice: Submit electronically through CBP’s ACS or the FDA Prior Notice 

System Interface.

WHEN to Give Prior Notice: Except in the case of food arriving by international mail, FDA must 

receive and confirm a Prior Notice: 1) no more than 30 days before a shipment arrives, if Prior Notice 

is submitted via ABI/ACS; or 2) no more than 15 days before a shipment arrives, if Prior Notice is 

submitted via FDA’s PNSI.

Exclusions from the Prior Notice Rule

• Food carried by or otherwise accompanying (e.g., baggage) an individual arriving in the U.S. for 

that individual's personal use (i.e., for consumption by themselves, family, or friends, and not for 

sale or other distribution)

• Food made by an individual in his/her personal residence and sent by that individual as a personal 

gift (i.e., for non-business reasons) to an individual in the U.S.

• Food that is imported then exported without leaving the port of arrival until export

• Meat food products, poultry products, and egg products that at the time of importation are subject to 

the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Federal Meat 

Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Egg Products Inspection Act

• Food in diplomatic bags/pouches based on the authority in Art. 27(3) of The Vienna Convention on 

Diplomatic Relations (1961)

For Shipments Arriving: Prior Notice Must Be Submitted:

By land via road No less than 2 hours before arriving at the port of arrival

By land via rail No less than 4 hours before arriving at the port of arrival 

By air No less than 4 hours before arriving at the port of arrival 

By water No less than 8 hours before arriving at the port of arrival

By international mail Before the food is sent 

Carried by or otherwise Within the timeframe for the applicable mode of transportation

accompanying an individual

Getting HELP: 

• ACS Transmission: Contact your CBP client representative.

• PNSI Transmission: FDA offers an online tutorial on how to use the FDA Prior Notice System 

Interface at http://www.access.fda.gov. The FDA Prior Notice System Interface has Help features 

and interactive feedback to assist the submitter and minimize spelling mistakes and omissions. In 

addition FDA has two systems for assistance with Prior Notice:

FDA Prior Notice Center answers questions 

about Prior Notice policies, procedures and 

interpretations

Hours: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Phone: 1-866-521-2297

FDA Industry Systems Help Desk answers technical 

and computer-related questions about the Prior Notice 

System Interface

Hours: 7:30 AM – 11 PM U.S Eastern Time

Phone: 1-800-216-7331 or 301-575-0156

FAX: 1-866-573-2804 or 301-436-2804

Email: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~furls/helpf2.html

and complete the form
U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration

U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services

For more information, go to

http://www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html