Questions and Answers
Q: Are foreign food facilities required to have an agent in the U.S?
Yes. U.S. law requires that all foreign facilities that process, pack, or hold human or animal food for consumption in the U.S. appoint an agent who serves as a point of contact for FDA.
Q: Does getting registered mean that FDA is approving or certifying my facility?
A: No. The registration only adds your facility to FDA’s database. All U.S. food facilities and foreign food facilities that process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption in the U.S. are required to register under law.
Q: Does FDA issue certificates of registration or recognize those issued by private businesses?
A: No. FDA does not issue certificates of registration and certificates of registration issued by private businesses are not recognized by FDA. USFI provides all of the businesses it registers with a signed letter indicating the date of registration and the registration number (e.g. Bioterrorism Number) which may be used with customs brokers, importers and others to demonstrate that a facility is properly registered. The registration number generally must be included in Prior Notice filings for imports. There is no extra charge for this letter.
Q: What will I receive from USFI after the facility is registered?
A: You will receive a packet from USFI in PDF format which contains a letter indicating the date of registration, the registration number, information about food facility registration requirements and a copy of all information as filed with FDA, including the food facility registration PIN to allow you to login to the FDA registration system.
Q: What are USFI’s fees for food facility registration and agent services?
A: USFI charges $600 annually for food facility registration services and $150 for food facility registration (biennial).
Q: Am I required to reregister a facility every two years?
A: Yes, the Food Safety Modernization Act required all food facilities to reregister with FDA on every even-numbered year.