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 In this section:

        Food Imports & Exports

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 StatesFood Imports & Exports Importing Food Products into the United States
  	
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    PrintUnder provisions of the U.S. law contained in the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, importers of food products intended for introduction into U.S. interstate commerce are responsible for ensuring that the products are safe, sanitary, and labeled according to U.S. requirements. (All imported food is considered to be interstate commerce.)

FDA is not authorized under the law to approve, certify, license, or otherwise sanction individual food importers, products, labels, or shipments. Importers can import foods into the United States without prior sanction by FDA, as long as the facilities that produce, store, or otherwise handle the products are registered with FDA, and prior notice of incoming shipments is provided to FDA.

Imported food products are subject to FDA inspection when offered for import at U.S. ports of entry. FDA may detain shipments of products offered for import if the shipments are found not to be in compliance with U.S. requirements. Both imported and domestically-produced foods must meet the same legal requirements in the United States.

Procedures and Requirements for Importing Food Products

In addition to meeting the requirements of U.S. food regulations including food facility registration, importers must follow U.S. import procedures as well as the requirements of Prior Notice.

Manual of Compliance Policy Guides Chapter 5 - Food, Colors, and Cosmetics
	Prior Notice of Imported Food
	Imported Seafood Safety Program
	Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
	Accredited Third-party Certification Program
	Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals
	Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP)
	Import & Export Guidance Documents & Regulatory InformationImporting Food Gifts for Personal Use

Sending Gifts to Your Friends and Family: Prior Notice Policy
	Importing Gift Packs and Prior Notice
	Sending Food through International Mail - Selected Excerpts from the Prior Notice Interim Final Rule, Guidance Documents, and Fact SheetsFood Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Resources

FDA Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food
	International Cooperation on Food Safety
	FSMA Final Rule for Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals
	FSMA Final Rule on Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors
	Firm/Supplier Evaluation Resources for FSMA RulesRelated Programs

Reportable Food Registry for Industry
	Registration of Food Facilities
	Foreign Food Facility Inspection Program

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      05/16/2022
                  
                   
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  ImportImporting 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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