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FDA Prior Notice
FDA prior notice is advance information about imported food that the Food and Drug Administration must confirm before the food arrives in the United States.
What does FDA Prior Notice mean?
Prior notice applies to food for humans and animals that is imported or offered for import, including gifts and samples (21 CFR 1.277). Some items are excluded, for example homemade food that a person sends as a personal gift.
FDA must confirm the notice at least 2 hours before arrival by road, 4 hours by rail or air, and 8 hours by water. Through ABI/ACE it can go up to 30 days ahead, and through FDA's PNSI up to 15 days ahead (21 CFR 1.279).
For food sent by international mail, the notice must be submitted before the food is sent. The confirmation number must appear on the CN22 or CN23 declaration on the package.
Food that arrives without adequate prior notice is subject to refusal of admission and must be held (21 CFR 1.283). Different rules apply to food that arrives by international mail.
What does it mean for your shipment?
Tell us before the shipment leaves if it contains food, dietary supplements or pet food. We file prior notice through ACE with the entry data when the product and facility data are complete.
Allied CHB, licensed customs broker, CBP filer code 9AJ.
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All glossary terms · General information, not legal advice.