Many food and beverage companies, both domestic and international, are increasingly turning to U.S. export markets as an opportunity to increase their profitability and reach more customers.
Exporting food and beverages to the United States offers great potential, but can also be challenging due to strict regulations.
In this guide, we will explore the process for exporting food and beverages to the United States, as well as the regulations and guidelines to consider when doing so.
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What are the requirements for exporting food and beverages to the United States?
When exporting food and beverages to the United States, producers must comply with the same requirements as domestically produced products, as established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA has a wide range of rules and regulations that must be followed to ensure the safety and quality of products, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
In addition, food and beverage products must also meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
To export food and beverages to the United States, producers must also meet specific labeling and packaging requirements and obtain a license from the FDA.
In addition, any importation of food or beverages must be accompanied by a written certificate of inspection from the USDA, as well as a completed Food Safety Plan.
What organizations regulate the export of food and beverages to the United States?
Food and beverage producers planning to export to the United States should be aware of several organizations that regulate the export of food and beverages to the United States.
These organizations are the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Food and Drug Administration International Program (FDA-IP).
The FDA is the primary organization responsible for regulating the safety and quality of foods and beverages sold in the United States.
The USDA regulates the labeling and packaging of food products, while the TTB is responsible for overseeing the regulation of alcoholic beverages.
Finally, the FDA-IP is the department that regulates international food shipments.
How can I learn more about the requirements for exporting food and beverages to the United States?
Those wishing to export food and beverages to the United States can find more information on the FDA website, which provides detailed information on regulatory requirements, food safety guidelines, labeling requirements and more.
The USDA also provides detailed information on the requirements for exporting food and beverages to the United States on its website. In addition, there are many organizations that offer assistance to companies wishing to export food and beverage products to the United States.
In addition to the regulatory agencies mentioned above, companies can benefit from obtaining assistance from experienced international finance and logistics companies that specialize in helping international companies export food and beverage products to the United States.
These companies can advise on regulations, assist with customs and logistics, offer financing solutions and much more.
What are the requirements to export to the United States?
Exporting to the United States is an excellent decision for those who wish to improve their company’s growth.
It is not only necessary to know the requirements to export to the United States, it is also necessary to have an adequate foreign trade strategy, the support of a good customs broker, as well as good security measures.
📢 Understand applicable tariff restrictions.
It is necessary to understand the tariffs to know the viability of the export and to verify if it is subject to any safeguards.
Taxes applied in the destination country for the exported products should also be considered.
Being aware of the requirements related to the specific product to be exported will help you to be successful during the foreign trade activity.
📢 Certificate of Origin
The certificate of origin is the document that certifies the place of origin of the product and its Quality Certification.
The certificate is required to specify the country of origin, the name and address of manufacture, the description of the product and the identification of the consignee.
In addition to this, an invoice must be attached specifying the name, signature and personal data of the exporter, the name and address of the consignee, the exact description of the product and the unit value.
📢 Transport Documents
Transport documents differ according to the type of transport used for export.
Generally, exporters are faced with a bill of lading, an air waybill and a bill of lading.
📢 Insurance Policy
The insurance policy protects exporters from possible financial losses caused by accidents, theft, procedural errors, as well as those unexpected during the shipping process.
Insurance policies are provided by insurance companies and can be purchased directly or through a foreign trade intermediary.
📢 Trademarks and Industrial Property Registration
Industrial property is important to avoid infringement of trademark and intellectual property rights.
Exporters should protect themselves and their respective products or services by registering trademark and copyright with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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📢 Letter of Instructions for Customs Brokers
It is important to have a customs broker when exporting.
The customs letter of instructions helps the broker understand what kind of goods will enter the territory, what restrictions must be met, what procedures must be followed, what documentation must be sent prior to shipment of the product, and how payments must be handled.
📢 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Requirements
Food products have specific restrictions when exported to the United States.
Exporters should inquire about permitted products and common quality standards enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
In addition to FSIS, there may be specific requirements for each product, depending on the regulations of the country of origin.
Rules for exporting clothing to the United States
Garments exported to the United States must meet the quality standards established by the U.S. government.
Coatings must be listed separately, while trimmings and decorative items do not exceed 15 % of the garment.
And finally, if the percentage of ornamentation does not exceed 5%, the phrase “Exclusive of Ornamentation” must be added to the information block on the labels.
Exporting from Mexico to the United States
Mexican exporters must have existing coalitions and deals with other companies, in addition to obtaining the necessary quality certifications for the product.
It is important to maintain rigorous financial control and to have the appropriate means of transportation for exports from Mexico to the United States.
Having the transportation and insurance documents, certificates of origin and customs letters of instruction, as well as the trademark and copyrights insured, are essential to proceed with the export of the product.
Exporting to the United States involves complying with the formalities and requirements established by the regulatory agencies.
Exporters must ensure that the products are duly certified and the foreign trade processes are carried out in a strict manner to avoid problems or setbacks.
It will also be useful to have a customs broker to facilitate the management of the nationalization of exported products.
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Do you need to export and want advice?
Exporting food and beverages to the United States can be a great way to grow a business and reach more customers.
However, before doing so, it is important to know the regulatory requirements, as well as the organizations responsible for overseeing compliance.
In addition, it is highly recommended to seek the help of experienced professionals, as they can provide valuable advice and support.
Following all of these steps can help ensure the success of the export process.
