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

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

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

On October 1, the FDA will open 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 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!). The FDA will no longer accept the use of “pending” in lieu of a valid DUNS number. You can apply for a DUNS number here.

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.

See these helpful tips from the FDA and this Webinar for more information.

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