What is Prior Notice?
United States have strict regulations on food shipments - and may require a Prior Notice to be filed.
The Prior Notice is a notification required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the country's food regulatory agency. It serves as an advanced alert to the FDA that food items are being imported into the United States.
This regulation was implemented as part of the FDA’s efforts to protect the US food supply from potential threats, including terrorism. By receiving advance notice of incoming food shipments, the FDA can better prepare for inspections and improve the efficiency of border security and customs processes.
Shippers are obligated to provide this paperwork when shipping food if US customs requests for it, enabling the FDA to enhance the effectiveness of import inspections.
Please note that the failure to provide this notice when asked may lead to delays, rejections, or even seizure of the shipment.
⚠️ Important Note
JustShip is not a licensed customs broker and does not prepare Prior Notices on behalf of shippers. While we do our best to guide and support you, it remains the shipper's responsibility to ensure the proper documentation is submitted when required by U.S. authorities.
Visit our blog post **here** to learn more about filing for a Prior Notice.
The Prior Notice is a notification required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the country's food regulatory agency. It serves as an advanced alert to the FDA that food items are being imported into the United States.
This regulation was implemented as part of the FDA’s efforts to protect the US food supply from potential threats, including terrorism. By receiving advance notice of incoming food shipments, the FDA can better prepare for inspections and improve the efficiency of border security and customs processes.
Shippers are obligated to provide this paperwork when shipping food if US customs requests for it, enabling the FDA to enhance the effectiveness of import inspections.
Please note that the failure to provide this notice when asked may lead to delays, rejections, or even seizure of the shipment.
⚠️ Important Note
JustShip is not a licensed customs broker and does not prepare Prior Notices on behalf of shippers. While we do our best to guide and support you, it remains the shipper's responsibility to ensure the proper documentation is submitted when required by U.S. authorities.
Visit our blog post **here** to learn more about filing for a Prior Notice.
Updated on: 03/06/2025
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