URGENT: Renewal of FDA Food Facility Registration Began Oct. 1

URGENT: Renewal of FDA Food Facility Registration Began Oct. 1

ARTICLE SOURCED FROM NATIONAL CUSTOMS BROKERS & FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INC. (NCBFAA) AND LACBFFA

FDA Reminds Animal and Human Food Facilities to Register or Renew their Food Facility Registration (FFR) between Oct 1-Dec 31.

On October 1, the FDA opened its portal where food facilities must renew their food facility registrations. The window for renewal will run from October 1 until December 31. We encourage you to renew early to avoid any disruption in your shipments. All food facilities in your supply chains must submit a timely renewal. Failure to do so will cause products to be denied entry into the U.S. This includes owners, operators, or agents in charge of domestic or foreign facilities engaged in manufacturing/processing, packing or holding food for consumption by humans or animals in the U.S.

Owners, operators, or agents in charge of food facilities must submit their renewal information electronically through their FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account, unless they have received a waiver that allows for paper submission.

This time, every registrant must have a DUNS number associated with the physical location of the food facility (a DUNS number for the corporate headquarters is not sufficient!). FDA will no longer accept the use of “pending” in lieu of a valid DUNS number. You can apply for a DUNS number here. The DUNS number is recognized as an acceptable Unique Facility Identifier (UFI).

Food Facility registrations must be renewed every two years. The registrations are due by December 31st.

A special warning: the name and contact information on the FDA food facility registration must exactly match the DUNS number contact information. If not, the registration may be canceled. For example, if the FDA registration identifies “ABC Manufacturing” at “123 Main Street,” while the DUNS number info is listed as “ABC Manufacturing LLC” at 123 Main St.,” the registration will be denied. The two must be an exact match in every way. 

We urge you to communicate immediately with food facilities in your supply chain, including the manufacturer or grower, the consolidator, the shipper and the Ultimate Consignee (“deliver to” party), to inform them that:

1. The U.S. FDA Food Facility Registration must be renewed from October 1 to December 31. Instructions and the portal are here.
2. A DUNS number associated with the physical location of the food facility must be provided. FDA will no longer offer flexibility. Without a valid DUNS number, the imported food shipment will not be allowed to enter the U.S. The DUNS number can be obtained here.
3. The name and contact information on the FDA food facility registration must exactly match the DUNS number contact information. If not, the registration will be rejected. For example, if the FDA registration identifies “ABC Manufacturing” at “123 Main Street,” while the DUNS number info is listed as “ABC Manufacturing LLC” at 123 Main St.,” the registration will be denied. The two must be an exact match in every way.

The resources below are provided by LACBFFA, Los Angeles Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder Association.

The following resources are available to assist in the registration and renewal process:

FFR Renewal:

• Food Facility Registration User Guide: Biennial Registration Renewal
• D&B + FDA Joint Web Presentation on Biennial Food Facility Registration Renewal (youtube.com)External Link Disclaimer 

FFR Guidance:

• Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration (Seventh Edition)
• Draft Guidance for Industry: Supplemental Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration

FFR User Guides:

• Food Facility Registration User Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions for Registration
• Food Facility Registration User Guide: Update Facility Registration
• Food Facility Registration User Guide: Summary of Fields

FIS User Guides:

• FDA Industry Systems: Create New Account Quick Start Guide
• FDA Industry Systems User Guide: Summary of Fields in Account Management

Food facilities with questions can contact the Data Management Support Services: by phone 1- 240-247-8804; or by email at FURLS@fda.gov on U.S. Government business days (Monday to Friday, excluding U.S. government holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (see Federal Holidays (opm.gov) and Current Status (opm.gov).

If you have questions regarding this information please contact your Western Overseas representative.

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