Sweets, snacks and spices are all delicacies that we want to share with our friends and loved ones overseas, but getting these and other food items to them may not be as straightforward as you think. Shipping food to the United States can be incredibly complex and may result in your delivery being delayed or even destroyed if it doesn’t meet FDA rules and regulations. To ensure that your shipment gets to where it needs to be on time and undamaged, it’s important to be armed with the information you need to know before you send food to the USA.
What is Considered “Food”?
The FDA considers a variety of commodities to fall under the “food” category:
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Fruits and vegetables
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Fish/seafood
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Live food animals
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Dairy products and shelled eggs
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Pet food and animal feed
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Infant formula
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Beverages (including alcoholic beverages and bottled water)
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Canned and frozen goods
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Baked goods
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Snack food
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Candy and chewing gum
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Dietary supplements and ingredients
The above items all must have what the FDA calls a “Prior Notice” requirement (also known as a “PN” requirement). However, there are some commodities that may be exempt from any Prior Notice requirements, including:
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Meat, poultry and egg products that are exclusively subject to the jurisdiction of the USDA and have been noted to comply with USDA rules and regulations.
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Food that has been prepared by an individual in his or her home and is being sent to another individual a gift and not for commercial reasons is exempt. This could also include food purchased by someone who is traveling and has mailed it to his or her home address in the United States or a gift purchased at a commercial establishment.
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Food samples valued at under $200 are exempt.
Ensuring a Timely Prior Notice
If you or the courier company has determined you will need a Prior Notice before you send food to the USA, it’s important that you have all of the information ready before shipping your item to ensure that it is received on time. This will include information such as a full description of the item(s) being shipped, FDA product codes, country of origin, and the name and address of the food manufacturer. Most courier and freight forwarding services will be able to provide additional assistance when filling out a Prior Notice.
Final Considerations
Most individuals only want to send small quantities of food to their international friends and family, which they likely can do without the need of a Prior Notice. For example, if you’re sending food home for the holidays, describing it as a gift, for personal consumption or not for resale will likely alleviate that need. Depending on the courier, however, you may be required provide additional information on the invoice, particularly if the food item you’re sending is homemade.
