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  1. FDA Import Process

Division of Food Defense Targeting (Prior Notice)

FDA established the Division of Food Defense Targeting (DFDT) in 2003 to implement the authorities provided by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (BTA). Along with other provisions, the BTA requires that FDA receive notification of food, including animal feed, that is imported or offered for import into the United States prior to its arrival at the port. 

Click on the two-page brochure below for general Prior Notice information.

Prior Notice Brochure
                                                                     

 

DFDT is responsible for analyzing prior notice information to assess the risk of intentional contamination of imported human and animal food shipments; liaise with law enforcement agencies to obtain and respond to intelligence concerning potentially hazardous human and animal food products destined to be offered for import into the United States; and ensure regulatory compliance with Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart I – Prior Notice of Imported Foods and Subpart H – Registration of Food Facilities.

How do I submit Prior Notice of Imported Food?

Prior Notice must be electronically submitted to the FDA. Prior notice can be submitted using:  

(1) The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Automated Broker Interface/Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System (ABI/ACE/ITDS); or 

(2) The FDA Prior Notice System Interface (FDA PNSI) at https://www.access.fda.gov/. You must submit prior notice through FDA PNSI  for articles of food imported or offered for import by international mail, and other transaction types that cannot be made through ABI/ACE/ITDS.

Who do I contact for questions?

Division of Food Defense Targeting
866-521-2297 
571-468-1488  INTL
571-468-1936  Fax
prior.notice@fda.hhs.gov 
Contact for questions regarding prior notice policies, procedures, and interpretations. (24/7)

System Help Desk
800-216-7331 
240-247-8804  INTL
Contact for questions regarding PNSI account creation, management, password reset, and technical computer questions. (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (EST))

FDA ACE Support
ACE_Support@fda.hhs.gov
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (EST)

 
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