How to get your business on the FDA Food Export List

Some major trading partners (such as the European Union and China) require that companies importing certain products be certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is because these countries have certain restrictions on imports of some products. Common products requiring placement on an approved export list are dairy, honey, seafood, collagen/gelatin, and infant formula. Criteria for inclusion in the FDA Export List depends on the country of export and products being exported.   

For example, the EU only accepts live, chilled, and processed shellfish harvested in certain U.S. approved production facilities in certain states that have equivalency arrangements with the EU. These facilities will appear on the EU Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL).  

The only currently approved states on the ICSSL are Massachusetts and Washington. If your shellfish was grown and harvested in these states then you are eligible to apply for certification to export your shellfish to the EU. If not, then you are not eligible to ship shellfish to the EU.    

Note: U.S. shippers of shellfish to the EU must also obtain an EU export certificate from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The FDA processes applications on a rolling basis. Export listing can be requested at any time. However, the final decisions are made by the authorities of the importing country. 

All FDA export lists are updated every two years. Manufacturers must update and resubmit their export list application during the update period. Businesses failing to update their application will be removed from the lists and any product(s) in shipment may be detained or rejected by the importing country.  

US Imports can help with the application to be included on the FDA Export List.