Exporting spices to the US: FDA registration and rules
What a small spice exporter needs before shipping to the US: FDA facility registration, prior notice, and the checks that cause detentions.
Before the first shipment
- FDA food facility registration for the manufacturing or packing facility.
- Prior notice of imported food shipments.
- The US importer’s Foreign Supplier Verification Programme (FSVP) duties, and what they will ask you for.
- Every point to be checked against current FDA guidance before publishing.
Why spice shipments get detained
- Microbial contamination (e.g. Salmonella).
- Pesticide and treatment residues.
- Labelling and documentation gaps.
Finding the buyers
- Link to the US importers of pepper and chillies (HS 0904) page.
- Other spice headings: 0910, 0909.