FSVP Agent Services

The agent is responsible for verifying the safety of the food production practices of the foreign supplier. The agent must ensure, pursuant to a written FSVP program that the foreign supplier is producing food consistent with the standards established by FDA regulations including:

• Preventive Controls for Human Food and Animal Food
• Produce Safety
• Dietary Supplement CGMPs
• Adulteration
• Allergen Labeling

An agent is required for most shipments of food to the U.S. For example, processed foods, produce, pet food and dietary supplements. Meat products regulated by USDA, 100% juice products and seafood products covered by FDA HACCP regulations are not subject to FSVP requirements.

Yes. Shipments of FDA-regulated food products imported for sale through Amazon FBA, Shopify or other third-party fulfillment services must have an FSVP importer/agent.

FDA audits agents regularly. In fact of the top-ten most frequent regulations FDA issues citations for, FSVP violations are number 1 by a large margin. Violations of the FSVP regulations are punishable with civil and criminal penalties.

No. Only a U.S. entity can serve as an FSVP agent.

Information from FDA on FSVP may be found here.