How Can a Foreign Company Export Food to the U.S. Without a U.S. Office?

Exporting food products to the United States can be highly profitable, but for foreign companies without a U.S. office, the process involves strict regulatory compliance. Fortunately, with the right partners and procedures, it is entirely possible to enter the U.S. market without having a physical presence in the country.

Is a U.S. Office Required to Export to the U.S.?

No. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require a foreign food company to establish a U.S. office in order to export products to the United States. However, there are several mandatory requirements that must be met to legally and successfully import food into the U.S.

You may need IOR (Importer of Record) to arrange tariff, tax, logistics and warehouse service.

What Types of Companies Offer Importer of Record (IOR) Services?

Key Requirements for Foreign Food Exporters

To export food to the U.S. without a U.S. office, you must comply with the following regulations:

1. Designate a U.S. FDA Agent

All foreign facilities must appoint a U.S. FDA Agent during FDA food facility registration. This agent serves as your official contact with the FDA and must be based in the U.S.

2. Register Your Facility with the FDA

Your food production or storage facility must be registered with the FDA through the Food Facility Registration system. Renewal is required every two years (even-numbered years).

3. Comply with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

Under the FSVP rule, your U.S. importer must verify that your products meet FDA safety standards. If you do not have a U.S. importer, you must appoint an FSVP Agent who will be responsible for your compliance.

4. Submit Prior Notice for Each Shipment

Each food shipment entering the U.S. must have a Prior Notice submitted electronically to the FDA before arrival. This ensures the FDA knows what food is entering the country, when, and where.

5. Proper Labeling and Packaging

All food labels must comply with FDA labeling requirements, including nutritional facts, allergen declarations (under FALCPA), country of origin, and English language use.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception Reality

You must have a U.S. company ❌ False – You only need a U.S.-based agent or importer

FDA will clear your product at customs ❌ False – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) handles clearance, FDA only reviews compliance

You can handle everything remotely ✅ True – with the right partners (FDA Agent, FSVP Importer, customs broker), full compliance is possible without a U.S. office

How Willow Glen Consultancy Can Help

At Willow Glen Consultancy LLC, we specialize in helping foreign food companies enter the U.S. market without a physical office. We provide:

U.S. FDA Agent services
FSVP Importer services
Prior Notice assistance
Label compliance reviews
Guidance through U.S. customs entry

Trusted FDA Consultancy

How Can a Foreign Company Export Food to the U.S. Without a U.S. Office?

How to search FDA Registration Number?

What Is the FDA Food Facility Registration Process?

How Can a Foreign Company Export Food to the U.S. Without a U.S. Office?

FSVP Importer and FSVP Agent for foreign supplier

Is a U.S. Office Required to Export to the U.S.?

No. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require a foreign food company to establish a U.S. office in order to export products to the United States. However, there are several mandatory requirements that must be met to legally and successfully import food into the U.S.

You may need IOR (Importer of Record) to arrange tariff, tax, logistics and warehouse service.

What Types of Companies Offer Importer of Record (IOR) Services?

Key Requirements for Foreign Food Exporters

To export food to the U.S. without a U.S. office, you must comply with the following regulations:

1. Designate a U.S. FDA Agent

All foreign facilities must appoint a U.S. FDA Agent during FDA food facility registration. This agent serves as your official contact with the FDA and must be based in the U.S.

2. Register Your Facility with the FDA

Your food production or storage facility must be registered with the FDA through the Food Facility Registration system. Renewal is required every two years (even-numbered years).

3. Comply with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

Under the FSVP rule, your U.S. importer must verify that your products meet FDA safety standards. If you do not have a U.S. importer, you must appoint an FSVP Agent who will be responsible for your compliance.

4. Submit Prior Notice for Each Shipment

Each food shipment entering the U.S. must have a Prior Notice submitted electronically to the FDA before arrival. This ensures the FDA knows what food is entering the country, when, and where.

5. Proper Labeling and Packaging

All food labels must comply with FDA labeling requirements, including nutritional facts, allergen declarations (under FALCPA), country of origin, and English language use.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception Reality

You must have a U.S. company ❌ False – You only need a U.S.-based agent or importer

FDA will clear your product at customs ❌ False – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) handles clearance, FDA only reviews compliance

You can handle everything remotely ✅ True – with the right partners (FDA Agent, FSVP Importer, customs broker), full compliance is possible without a U.S. office

How Willow Glen Consultancy Can Help

At Willow Glen Consultancy LLC, we specialize in helping foreign food companies enter the U.S. market without a physical office. We provide:

U.S. FDA Agent services

FSVP Importer services

Prior Notice assistance

Label compliance reviews

Guidance through U.S. customs entry

How to search FDA Registration Number?

What Is the FDA Food Facility Registration Process?

How Can a Foreign Company Export Food to the U.S. Without a U.S. Office?

FSVP Importer and FSVP Agent for foreign supplier

How Can a Foreign Company Export Food to the U.S. Without a U.S. Office?

How to search FDA Registration Number?

What Is the FDA Food Facility Registration Process?

How Can a Foreign Company Export Food to the U.S. Without a U.S. Office?

FSVP Importer and FSVP Agent for foreign supplier

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Is a U.S. Office Required to Export to the U.S.?

No. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require a foreign food company to establish a U.S. office in order to export products to the United States. However, there are several mandatory requirements that must be met to legally and successfully import food into the U.S.

​

You may need IOR (Importer of Record) to arrange tariff, tax, logistics and warehouse service.

​

What Types of Companies Offer Importer of Record (IOR) Services?

​

​

​

Key Requirements for Foreign Food Exporters

To export food to the U.S. without a U.S. office, you must comply with the following regulations:

​

1. Designate a U.S. FDA Agent

All foreign facilities must appoint a U.S. FDA Agent during FDA food facility registration. This agent serves as your official contact with the FDA and must be based in the U.S.

​

2. Register Your Facility with the FDA

Your food production or storage facility must be registered with the FDA through the Food Facility Registration system. Renewal is required every two years (even-numbered years).

​

3. Comply with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

Under the FSVP rule, your U.S. importer must verify that your products meet FDA safety standards. If you do not have a U.S. importer, you must appoint an FSVP Agent who will be responsible for your compliance.

​

4. Submit Prior Notice for Each Shipment

Each food shipment entering the U.S. must have a Prior Notice submitted electronically to the FDA before arrival. This ensures the FDA knows what food is entering the country, when, and where.

​

5. Proper Labeling and Packaging

All food labels must comply with FDA labeling requirements, including nutritional facts, allergen declarations (under FALCPA), country of origin, and English language use.

​

Common Misconceptions

Misconception Reality

​

You must have a U.S. company ❌ False – You only need a U.S.-based agent or importer

​

FDA will clear your product at customs ❌ False – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) handles clearance, FDA only reviews compliance

​

You can handle everything remotely ✅ True – with the right partners (FDA Agent, FSVP Importer, customs broker), full compliance is possible without a U.S. office

​

​

How Willow Glen Consultancy Can Help

At Willow Glen Consultancy LLC, we specialize in helping foreign food companies enter the U.S. market without a physical office. We provide:

U.S. FDA Agent services

FSVP Importer services

Prior Notice assistance

Label compliance reviews

Guidance through U.S. customs entry

​

​

How to search FDA Registration Number?

What Is the FDA Food Facility Registration Process?

How Can a Foreign Company Export Food to the U.S. Without a U.S. Office?

FSVP Importer and FSVP Agent for foreign supplier