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 In this section:

                Importing Food Products into the United States

Importing Food Products into the United States

                        Prior Notice of Imported Foods
          Filing Prior Notice of Imported Foods
          Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP)
          Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP): Public List of Approved VQIP Importers
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program: Public Registry of Accredited Third-Party Certification Bodies
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program: Public Registry of Recognized Accreditation Bodies
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program: Voluntary Audit Templates
          Foreign Suppliers Verification Programs (FSVP) - List of Participants
          Foreign Suppliers Verification Programs (FSVP) - Importer Portal for Records Submission
          FDA Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food Home
          Food
          Guidance & Regulation (Food and Dietary Supplements)
          Food Imports & Exports
          Importing Food Products into the United States
          Accredited Third-Party Certification ProgramImporting Food Products into the United States Accredited Third-Party Certification Program
  
  	
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    PrintAccredited Third-Party Certification is a voluntary program in which FDA recognizes “accreditation bodies” that will have the responsibility of accrediting third-party “certification bodies.” The certification bodies will conduct food safety audits and issue certifications of foreign food facilities.

TPA Process

Program Application

Apply to become an Accreditation Body

	Select "Create New Account" and then select the appropriate box under FSMA
	Accreditation Body Electronic Portal User Instructions (PDF: 6MB)
	Certification Body Electronic Portal User Instructions (PDF: 6.48MB)
	Key Facts About the Program(PDF: 79KB)
	Public Registry of *Recognized Accreditation Bodies*
	Public Registry of *Accredited Third-Party Certification Bodies*
	User Fees

These certifications are used for two purposes.

Certifications can establish eligibility for participation in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP), which offers expedited review and entry of food.
	In rare and specific circumstances FDA can require that an imported product be certified to prevent a potentially harmful food from entering the U.S.The Agency’s imported food goal is twofold:

To address potential safety issues before the food reaches the United States; and
	To help ensure that imported foods are produced in accordance with the same safety standards as those required of U.S. foods.Accreditation bodies under the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program must:

Assess third-party certification bodies to determine if they can be accredited. This includes observing a representative sample of the applicant’s work;
	Monitor the performance of the certification bodies it accredits. Accreditation bodies must notify FDA of any change in, or withdrawal of, accreditations it has granted;
	Assess and correct any problems in the accreditation body’s own performance;
	Submit monitoring and self-assessment reports and other notifications to FDA;
	Maintain and provide FDA with access to the records that the program requires.Accreditation bodies may begin to accredit certification bodies to issue certifications under this program once they receive recognition from FDA.

In January 2018, FDA announced ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board as the first recognized accreditation body under the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program.
	Public Registry of Recognized Accreditation BodiesRelated Guidance Documents

Draft Guidance for Industry: The Accredited Third-Party Certification Program: Questions and Answers
	Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Accreditation of Third-Party Certification Bodies to Conduct Food Safety Audits to Issue Certifications: Model Accreditation Standards
	Guidance for Industry: FDA's Voluntary Qualified Importer ProgramBackground

Accredited Third-Party Certification Rule
	Constituent Update: FDA Takes Important New Steps to Strengthen Oversight of Food ImportsAdditional Information

Industry Resources on Third-Party Audit Standards and FSMA Supplier Verification Requirements
	Accredited Third-Party Certification Program Voluntary Audit Templates
	Questions & AnswersContact Us

How to Contact FDA about FSMA(Technical Assistance Network)Voluntary Graphic Element & QR Code

Accredited Third-Party Certification Program Web Badge 240x120px

A TPP program **QR code** is available to assist FDA and stakeholders with communicating the status of participants in the TPP program.

TPP **graphic elements** are available to help increase awareness of the TPP program.

Download these materials and read these guidelines for using them by visiting Voluntary Graphic Element & QR Code Guidelines.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      10/26/2023
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  ImportLaw(s) & Regulation(s)
			  Food Safety Modernization ActImporting Food Products into the United States

          
                        Prior Notice of Imported Foods
          Filing Prior Notice of Imported Foods
          Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP)
          Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP): Public List of Approved VQIP Importers
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program: Public Registry of Accredited Third-Party Certification Bodies
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program: Public Registry of Recognized Accreditation Bodies
          Accredited Third-Party Certification Program: Voluntary Audit Templates
          Foreign Suppliers Verification Programs (FSVP) - List of Participants
          Foreign Suppliers Verification Programs (FSVP) - Importer Portal for Records Submission
          FDA Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food
 
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