Customs Corner
VQIP Application Opens 01 January 2023
On 01 January 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will open the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides importers who achieve and maintain control over the safety and security of their supply chains the benefits of expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the United States.
To participate in VQIP, food importers must meet specific eligibility requirements, including ensuring that the facilities of their foreign suppliers are certified through the FDA’s Accredited Third-Party Certification Program. Certification bodies conduct food safety audits of foreign facilities and farms and issue importers’ certifications to participate in VQIP.
If you are a food importer interested in applying for VQIP benefits during (FY) 2024, the portal will close on 31 May 2023.
For more information:
- Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
- Submission of VQIP Application User Guide
- Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) Informational Webinar Recording
- Public Registry of Accredited Third-Party Certification BodiesQuestions may be submitted to the VQIP Importers’ Help Desk via 1-301-796-8745 or FSMAVQIP@fda.hhs.gov.
REMINDER: FDA Biennial Food Facility Registration Closes 31 December 2022
Food facilities are required to renew their registration every other year, beginning on 01 October and ending on 31 December of each even-numbered year. This year’s renewal period began on 01 October 2022 and ended 31 December 2022.
The FDA will consider registration for a food facility to be expired if the registration is not renewed as required. The FDA will consider a food facility with an expired registration as having failed to meet its registration requirements, which is prohibited under the FD&C Act. The FDA will cancel a facility’s registration if it has failed to renew as required. If a registration is canceled for failure to renew, and the facility is required to register and is still operating, the facility can re-register.
Parties who have questions about Food Facility registration can access the links below:
- Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration (Seventh Edition)
- Small Entity Compliance Guide: Registration of Food Facilities
- User Guides for Online Registration of Food Facilities
- Registration of Food Facilities and Other Submissions
Should you have additional questions on any of the above-covered topics or any other trade-related questions, please feel free to reach out to the Customs Brokerage Product Team at custominfo.ff.us@geodis.com, or the Trade Services team at tradeservices.ff.us@geodis.com.
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