FDA FSVP: what US importers must verify about foreign food suppliers

Under FDA's Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), the US importer of food must check that each foreign supplier produces food that meets US safety standards. In practice, a foreign food exporter is asked by its US buyer for documents such as hazard analyses, audit reports or test results, and the importer has to identify itself with a DUNS number on every entry line.

Checked against official sources: 2026-10

At a glance

FSVP importerThe US owner or consignee at entry; if none, the US agent or representative of the foreign owner or consignee, with a signed statement of consent

Core dutiesHazard analysis, risk evaluation of the food and supplier, supplier verification, corrective actions

Verification activitiesAnnual on-site audits, sampling and testing, or review of the supplier's food safety records

Re-evaluationAt least every three years, or when new information about a hazard comes to light

Entry dataImporter's name, email and unique facility identifier (DUNS) for each line entry

DUNS at entrySince 24 July 2022, "UNK" is no longer accepted in the Entity Number field

Very small importersModified requirements: under USD 1 million (human food) or USD 2.5 million (animal food) in annual sales

Exempt examplesJuice and seafood under HACCP rules, food for research, personal consumption, alcoholic beverages, food for processing and re-export

Who is the FSVP importer and what it must do

The FSVP importer is the US owner or consignee of the food when it is offered for import. If there is no US owner or consignee, it is the US agent or representative of the foreign owner or consignee at the time of entry, who must hold a signed statement of consent. The importer must determine the known or reasonably foreseeable hazards for each food, evaluate the risk based on that hazard analysis and the foreign supplier's performance, carry out supplier verification activities and take corrective action when a supplier falls short.

Verification can include annual on-site audits of the supplier's facility, sampling and testing, or a review of the supplier's relevant food safety records. The evaluation must be repeated at least every three years, or sooner when new information about a potential hazard comes to light. For each line entry, the importer gives its name, email address and unique facility identifier; FDA recognises the DUNS number, and since 24 July 2022 entries with "UNK" in the Entity Number field are rejected.

What the US importer may ask a foreign supplier for

A hazard analysis for each food and the controls applied
Food safety plan or preventive controls records
Reports of on-site audits of the facility
Laboratory test results for the product
Records of corrective actions after a problem
The facility's FDA registration number and product specifications

Modified rules and exemptions

Modified requirements apply to very small importers, with annual sales under USD 1 million for human food or USD 2.5 million for animal food, to food from certain small suppliers such as shell egg producers with fewer than 3,000 laying hens or farms averaging USD 25,000 or less in annual produce sales, and to food from countries whose food safety systems FDA recognises as comparable or equivalent.

FSVP does not apply to juice, fish and fishery products that are subject to and comply with FDA's HACCP regulations, food for research or evaluation, food for personal consumption, alcoholic beverages and certain ingredients for them, and food imported for processing and future export. For foreign exporters, being ready with clear food safety records makes it easier for US buyers to approve you as a supplier.

Step by step

Ask your US buyer who the FSVP importer is and which verification activity it uses for your products.
Prepare a hazard analysis and food safety records for each product you export.
Agree on audits or testing, and share the reports the importer needs.
Keep your FDA food facility registration valid and give the buyer the registration number.
Tell the importer promptly about any problem and the corrective action you took.

Documents you usually need

Hazard analysis and food safety plan
On-site audit reports
Laboratory test results
Corrective action records
FDA food facility registration number

Common problems and how to avoid them

The entry is rejected because the FSVP importer field shows "UNK".

What to do: The importer must give its valid 9-digit DUNS number in the Entity Number field.

There is no US owner or consignee at the time of entry.

What to do: The foreign owner's US agent or representative can act as FSVP importer, with a signed statement of consent.

The US buyer stops orders after a supplier review.

What to do: Provide the hazard analysis, audit or test results it needs, and fix the problems found.

A wine exporter is asked for FSVP documents.

What to do: Alcoholic beverages and certain ingredients for them are exempt from FSVP, although other FDA rules still apply.

Sources

FSMA Final Rule on Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA Issues Updated Guidance on Compliance and Date for Providing an Acceptable Unique Facility Identifier (DUNS number) for FSVP U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Rules change often. This note is practical guidance based on the sources above, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority, your importer or a licensed customs broker before you ship.

Port codes by country

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Trade notes

Exporting Food to the US: FDA Registration, Prior Notice and FSVPExporting food to the US in 2026: FDA facility registration and renewal, prior notice, FSVP, canned food filings, labels, allergens, FDA holds and…FDA prior notice for imported food: deadlines, data and confirmation numberHow FDA prior notice works for food shipped to the US: the 2, 4 and 8 hour minimums by road, rail, air and sea, the 15-day (PNSI) and 30-day (ACE)…FDA food facility registration renewal 2026: 1 October to 31 DecemberHow to renew an FDA food facility registration in 2026: the 1 October to 31 December window, no fee, the DUNS number as unique facility…

Common questions

What is FSVP?

FDA's Foreign Supplier Verification Program: the US importer of food must verify that foreign suppliers produce food meeting US safety standards.

Who is the FSVP importer?

The US owner or consignee at entry, or if there is none, the US agent or representative of the foreign owner or consignee, with a signed statement of consent.

What does the FSVP importer need at entry?

Its name, email address and unique facility identifier, the DUNS number, for each line entry.

How often must suppliers be re-evaluated?

At least every three years, or sooner when new information about a hazard comes to light.

Which foods are exempt from FSVP?

Examples include juice and seafood under HACCP rules, food for research or personal use, alcoholic beverages and food imported for processing and re-export.

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