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 In this section:

                FDA Import Process

FDA Import Process

                        Division of Food Defense Targeting (Prior Notice)
          Examination & Sample Collection
          Detention & Hearing
          Entry Screening Systems and Tools
          Reconditioning of Imported FDA-Regulated Products
          Import Refusals


                        Entry Submission
          Entry Review Home
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          Import Program – Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
          FDA Import Process
          Division of Food Defense Targeting (Prior Notice)FDA Import Process Division of Food Defense Targeting (Prior Notice)
  
  	
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    PrintFDA established the Division of Food Defense Targeting (DFDT) in 2003 to implement the authorities provided by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (BTA). Along with other provisions, the BTA requires that FDA receive notification of food, including animal feed, that is imported or offered for import into the United States prior to its arrival at the port.

Click on the two-page brochure below for general Prior Notice information.


DFDT is responsible for analyzing prior notice information to assess the risk of intentional contamination of imported human and animal food shipments; liaise with law enforcement agencies to obtain and respond to intelligence concerning potentially hazardous human and animal food products destined to be offered for import into the United States; and ensure regulatory compliance with Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart I – Prior Notice of Imported Foods and Subpart H – Registration of Food Facilities.

How do I submit Prior Notice of Imported Food?

Prior Notice must be electronically submitted to the FDA. Prior notice can be submitted using:

(1) The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Automated Broker Interface/Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System (ABI/ACE/ITDS); or

(2) The FDA Prior Notice System Interface (FDA PNSI) at https://www.access.fda.gov/. You must submit prior notice through FDA PNSI  for articles of food imported or offered for import by international mail, and other transaction types that cannot be made through ABI/ACE/ITDS.

Who do I contact for questions?

**Division of Food Defense Targeting**
866-521-2297 
571-468-1488  INTL
571-468-1936  Faxprior.notice@fda.hhs.gov
Contact for questions regarding prior notice policies, procedures, and interpretations. (24/7)

**System Help Desk**
800-216-7331 
240-247-8804  INTL
Contact for questions regarding PNSI account creation, management, password reset, and technical computer questions. (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (EST))

**FDA ACE Support**ACE_Support@fda.hhs.gov
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (EST)

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      08/18/2022FDA Import Process

          
                        Prior Notice Information
          Examination & Sample Collection
          Detention & Hearing
          Entry Screening
          Reconditioning
          Refusals


                        Entry Submission
          Entry Review
 
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