Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

Below is a summary of our last NYCB Newsletter sent out a few weeks ago regarding the new FDA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). Remember, if you’re a customer, you get this information first!

Please be aware that the FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) of the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) from FDA has a mandatory compliance date of May 30, 2017.   Many importers of food products will be required to have a D-U-N-S number issued and available for their customs brokers to use on their documentation presented to Customs at this time.  There are exemptions to this program, most notably, the majority of seafood related products as well as alcoholic beverages.  All importers of food products other than seafood or alcoholic beverages must acquire a D-U-N-S number. Please make sure this number is provided to us prior to 5/30/2017. We also recommend that all importers sign up for a D-U-N-S number even though it may not be required.  It’s free, comes with no obligations, and will afford you the ability to import products regulated by this new regulation should you do so at some point in the future.

Without any specific instructions from you, the importer, we will indicate to FDA that the Importer of Record is the FSVP importer.  If for some reason your consignee or another party will be listed as the FSVP Importer as opposed to your company, please indicate this to us as we will need their company information and D-U-N-S number.

Please make immediate note that seafood is NOT regulated by this program, FSVP, and is therefore exempt from this requirement.  This is stated emphatically on page 4 of the document attached to number 4 below.

If you have any questions after having perused the following URL’s, please contact us at any time so we can assist.

1. Full text of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm247548.htm
2. FSMA Final Rule on Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals:  https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm361902.htm
3. Frequently Asked Questions on FSMA– Produce Safety Rule:  https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm247559.htm
4. Final Rule on Foreign Supplier Verification Program: Exemptions located on Page 4 of this document:  https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/UCM472890.pdf
5. FDA Recognizes DUNS number as acceptable for Importer Identification:   https://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm549668.htm
6. How to Apply for your DUNS Number:  https://dashboard.dnb.com/register
7. Or find out if your company is already registered:  https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/companylookup.htm