Clarification of Food Importation Procedures - 4/6/04

 

 

 

 

NOTICE

 

Clarifying the Impact of the Bioterrorism Act on the Shipment of Food Products

 

The following information clarifies the guidance provided to the Diplomatic and Consular Communities on January 5, 2004, regarding the Bioterrorism Act.  This information also can be found on the Office of Foreign Missions website at www.state.gov/ofm/tax/27762.htm.

 

Clarification of When Shipments Can Be Excluded from the Prior Notice Requirement:

 

Food products that are carried by or otherwise accompanying an individual arriving in the United States for that individual’s personal use do not require advance notification.  This exclusion only pertains to personal food products that are in the possession of the individual at the time of his/her entry into the United States.  

 

• Food products that are being imported for official use are not excluded from the prior notification requirement. 
• Personal shipments of food products, which do not physically accompany an individual into the United States, are not excluded from the prior notification requirement. 
• These regulations do not require prior notice for food products brought into the United States in a diplomatic pouch or bag.  

For more information on specific food products excluded from the prior notification requirement, see the FDA website or the original OFM Notice on this subject.

 

 

Further Questions:

 

Specific information regarding the advance notification process should be directed by phone to the FDA Helpdesk at 1-800-216-7731 or the FDA website at www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html.  The Help Desk is equipped to answer technical and computer-related questions involving the Prior Notice System Interface (web portal), as well as general questions regarding Registration of Food Facilities.

 

 

 

 Questions concerning Prior Notice policies, procedures, and interpretations should be directed to the Prior Notice Center. The staff at the Prior Notice Center can answer these questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Prior Notice Center can be reached by phone at 1-866-521-2297.

 

 

 

April 6, 2004