Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                CFSAN Constituent Updates

CFSAN Constituent Updates Home
          Food
          News & Events from CFSAN
          CFSAN Constituent Updates
          CFSAN to Issue PDF Export Certificates for Food ProductsCFSAN Constituent Updates CFSAN to Issue PDF Export Certificates for Food Products
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintConstituent Update

February 15, 2017

Starting February 20, 2017, certificates of free sale (COFS) for food products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) will be issued online as downloadable PDFs. The change from paper to PDF certificates will make the process of issuing COFS more efficient for both exporters and the agency.

Review of a certificate may be required by foreign countries as part of the process to import a product into those countries. FDA issues COFS for certain CFSAN-regulated food products upon request by an exporter. FDA does not require export certificates to export foods to foreign countries.

The FDA Certificate Application Process (CAP) is CFSAN's web-based application for accepting requests, reviewing, processing, managing, tracking, and administering CFSAN export certificates. To access CAP, log in to FDA Industry Systems at https://www.access.fda.gov/oaa and select the "Certificate Application Process" option from the list of systems available. If you do not have an account with FDA Industry Systems, you will need to create one.

The advantages of CAP include:

Online submission of applications;
	Reduction in application processing time;
	Online receipt of certificates via PDF;
	Real-time status updates via email and online tracking; and
	Ability to copy, edit, and resubmit applications.If exporters are unable to use the new PDF system, they may contact FDA and we will provide assistance.

CFSAN COFS will have a new look, including an updated letterhead and image of the HHS seal. PDF certificates issued directly to the applicant are considered original certificates and the Department of State is able to authenticate the certificates. For each certificate, FDA will provide a unique Certificate Identifier (ID). Foreign government officials authorized by the FDA can use this Certificate ID to verify the authenticity of the certificate. Exporters will need to ensure that the printed certificates are clear and legible. An example of the new look of the certificate is below.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email CFSANExportCertification@fda.hhs.gov or call 240-402-2307.

Sample Export Certificate for U.S. produced Food Products. The Certificate Unique ID is in the top left hand corner of the page.

**See an enlarged version of the sample certificate (PDF: 77KB)**.

For Additional Information:

FDA Export Certificates
	Export Certification FAQs
	Food Export Certificate Application Step-by-Step Instructions

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      11/29/2017
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesCFSAN Constituent Updates
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop