Prior Notice

A set of required data elements on food imports must be filed electronically with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before shipment arrival. Any individual with knowledge of the required information, including but not limited to brokers, importers and US agents, may submit Prior Notice (PN). To avoid delays and possible penalties, you must make arrangements to submit the PN directly to the FDA before tendering food shipments to FedEx. You must also provide a copy of the Prior Notice Confirmation with the shipment.

Shippers are encouraged to submit PN directly to the FDA to minimize delays for all food shipments entering or transiting the US. Food shipments may be delayed if PN is not completed within the required timeframes before the shipment arrival into the U.S.

To file a notice directly with the FDA, or to obtain additional information on Prior Notice, please visit http://www.fda.gov.

Required Submission Timeframe
The specific timeframe for prior notice submission is determined by mode of transportation.

  • 2 hours before arrival by land by road
  • 4 hours before arrival by air or by land by rail
  • 8 hours before arrival by water

Information Change After Submission
A new prior notice must be submitted if changes are made after PN confirmation has been received. When changes are submitted, the clock for PN submission will be reset.
Required Data Elements
The following information is required for PN:
  • Submitter details (name of individual, individual’s phone number, name and address of submitting firm)
  • Transmitter, if different than submitter
  • Entry type
  • CBP entry identifier
  • The identity of the article of food as follows:
    • complete FDA product code
    • common or usual name or market name
    • estimated quantity described from the largest container to the smallest package size
    • the lot or code numbers or other identifier of the food
  • Manufacturer (for food no longer in its natural state). This includes the name, address and registration number
  • Grower, if known
  • FDA country of production
  • Shipper (including name, address and registration number)
  • The country from which the article is shipped
  • Anticipated arrival information (port of arrival and crossing location within that port, date and time)
  • Name and address of the importer, owner, and ultimate consignee
  • Mode of transportation
  • Carrier's Standard Carrier Abbreviation Code (SCAC) or International Air Transport Association Code (IATA)
  • Planned shipment information including the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code

Please check back regularly to stay informed of upcoming new requirements for shipping affected food articles into the US using FedEx international services.

All customers:
You can file prior notice directly with the FDA using the FDA Prior Notice System Interface.