FDA U.S. Agent for Foreign Food & Beverage Facilities

U.S. Agent Services Food & Beverage

Official Communication Hub

As your designated U.S. Agent, we act as the mandatory, primary point of contact for the FDA. All official correspondence, urgent notices, and regulatory inquiries come directly to us.

  • Primary FDA point of contact
  • All official correspondence received & forwarded
  • No missed notices due to time zones or language
  • Regulatory inquiry handling

Inspection Coordination

We assist in facilitating and scheduling FDA inspections of your foreign facility serving as the key liaison to coordinate logistics and ensure you are fully prepared.

  • FDA inspection scheduling support
  • Logistics coordination with your team
  • Pre-inspection readiness guidance
  • Post-inspection follow-up

Emergency Contact

In the event of a product recall or public health alert, the FDA contacts us immediately. We ensure time-sensitive communications reach your team without delay.

  • Recall & public health alert response
  • Rapid notification to your team
  • Protects company & public safety

Regulatory & Registration Support

We assist with initial and biennial FDA food facility registration, ensuring your information is accurate, up-to-date, and your DUNS number is properly maintained.

  • Food facility registration & renewal
  • DUNS number maintenance
  • Registration accuracy assurance
  • Ongoing compliance support

Choosing the Right U.S. Agent Matters

Choosing the right FDA registered agent isn’t just about checking a box it’s about partnering with a team that provides the personal attention and expertise you need to succeed in the U.S. market. Contact us today to learn how our U.S. Agent services can safeguard your compliance and streamline your import process.

Food & Beverage Services At a Glance

ServiceWho Needs ItFrequencyTimeframePricing
Starting at
U.S. Agent ServicesForeign facilities onlyAnnualBefore FDA registration; renew each year$295/yr
Food Facility RegistrationDomestic & foreignBiennialOct Dec of even-numbered years$249
Prior Notice (Imports)Foreign importersPer unique product lineBefore arrival at U.S. border$30/filing
Food Label ReviewAll manufacturersPer product/changeBefore market entry or label change$249/product
Dietary SupplementsSupplement manufacturersBiennial + ongoingOct Dec biennial; NDI notification 75 days prior$249
Animal & VeterinaryPet/animal food facilitiesBiennialOct Dec of even-numbered years$249

FAQs

Who is required to have a U.S. Agent for food?

Any foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for human or animal consumption in the United States is legally required to designate a U.S. Agent. This requirement applies regardless of the size of the facility or the volume of product imported. It is established under Section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as amended by the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 and further reinforced by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Domestic U.S. facilities are exempt; the requirement applies only to foreign facilities.

What does an FDA U.S. Agent do for food importers?

Your U.S. Agent serves as the FDA’s official point of contact for your facility while your products are in the U.S. market. Practically, this means the FDA can reach someone in the U.S. during business hours, and in emergencies at any hour, without navigating international time zones or language barriers. Your U.S. Agent receives all FDA correspondence and notices, assists in scheduling and coordinating facility inspections, responds to regulatory inquiries on your behalf, and ensures that recall notices or public health alerts are communicated to your team immediately. Without an active U.S. Agent, the FDA has no reliable channel to reach you, which creates significant compliance and import risk.

What happens if I don’t have a U.S. Agent?

The consequences are serious and can directly disrupt your ability to sell in the U.S. market. The FDA can refuse or suspend your food facility registration if no valid U.S. Agent is designated. Without an active registration, your products can be detained or refused entry at the U.S. border. Under FSMA, the FDA has authority to suspend your facility’s registration outright, at which point distributing food in the U.S. is prohibited and shipments are subject to detention at U.S. ports of entry. Reinstating a suspended registration takes time and requires corrective action, during which your shipments remain at risk. A lapse in U.S. Agent coverage, even a brief one, can trigger these outcomes.

How often do I need to renew my food facility registration?

Food facility registrations must be renewed biennially, every two years, during the window of October 1 through December 31 of each even-numbered year. Missing this window results in an expired registration, which means your facility is no longer authorized to import food into the U.S. until the registration is reinstated. Your U.S. Agent designation must also remain current; if your U.S. Agent changes or goes out of business, you are required to update your registration promptly. We track renewal deadlines for all clients and proactively coordinate renewals so there is no lapse in coverage.

Can my importer of record be my U.S. Agent?

No. These are two distinct roles with different legal functions. Your importer of record (IOR) is the party responsible for customs entry and payment of duties when your products arrive at the U.S. border. Your FDA U.S. Agent is your designated representative for all FDA regulatory communications under 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart H. The two roles can be held by different companies, and in most cases they are. Your U.S. Agent must be available to the FDA on an ongoing basis, not just at the point of import, so a customs broker or freight forwarder who only touches your shipments at entry is generally not suited for the U.S. Agent role.