USDA-Regulated Products and Import Requirements

USDA Regulated Products and Import Requirements

USDA-Regulated Products and Import Requirements into the US

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the regulation of numerous items, encompassing plants, animals, and agricultural goods. When importing any of these products into the United States, adherence to USDA rules and guidelines is mandatory. Noncompliance may lead to penalties, confiscation of products, or potential legal consequences. In this article, we will explore a selection of USDA-regulated products and the requirements for their importation.

USDA Regulated Products:

  1. Plants and Plant Products: USDA regulates the importation of plants and plant products to protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and diseases. This includes fruits, vegetables, seeds, cut flowers, and even soil. Depending on the type of plant or product, you may need to obtain a phytosanitary certificate, which verifies that the product has been inspected and meets USDA standards.
  2. Animals and Animal Products: USDA also regulates the importation of animals and animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs. These products must meet certain standards for safety and disease control. Depending on the type of product, you may need to obtain a veterinary certificate, which verifies that the product has been inspected and meets USDA standards.
  3. Biotechnology Products: USDA regulates the importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and other biotechnology products. These products must undergo a rigorous review process to ensure that they are safe for the environment and human health.

Import Requirements:

If you are planning to import USDA regulated products into the United States, you must comply with certain import requirements. These requirements may include:

  1. Obtaining permits or certificates: Depending on the type of product, you may need to obtain permits or certificates from USDA or other regulatory agencies.
  2. Meeting labeling requirements: Products must be labeled accurately and must meet certain labeling requirements.
  3. Paying fees: Some products may be subject to inspection or other fees.
  4. Meeting health and safety standards: Products must meet certain health and safety standards to be allowed into the United States.
  5. Meeting customs requirements: Products must also meet customs requirements, such as being properly declared and inspected by customs officials.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the importation of animals and animal products, plants and plants product, veterinary biologics, genetically engineered organisms and more to ensure that exotic plants and animals of potential risk and diseases are not introduced to the United States.  Read more

USDA regulated products and their import requirements are important to protect U.S. agriculture and ensure the safety of consumers. If you are planning to import any of these products, be sure to carefully review USDA regulations and requirements to ensure compliance. This will help you avoid fines, seizure of products, or legal action.

Customs Brokerage & Consulting

When goods are imported into the United States, in almost all cases, the goods are required to be “entered,” that is, declared to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and are subject to examination by CBP.

We help your goods clear quickly and efficiently with our electronic Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Automated Broker Interface (ABI) Single Window System.

We will review your documents and goods to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations enforced by the U.S Customs, FDA, USDA, EPA, and other Partner Government Agencies, while evaluating options for duty reductions.

Freight Forwarding & Logistics

Our experienced team offers a wide range of services to meet custom’s specific needs. We provide an integrated logistics solution to meet custom’s specific needs, including international transportation, customs clearance, warehousing, and domestic distribution.

In-Depth Coverage: Importing Food Products 

USDA Compliance

FDA or USDA Regulated?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the two main government agencies that regulate the nation’s food supply, whether produced domestically or imported from foreign countries. Who regulates what food product depends on how that food is processed. Read more

USDA Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a mandatory labeling law that requires retailers, such as full-line grocery stores, supermarkets and club warehouse stores, to notify their customers with information regarding the source of certain foods. Read more

Importing Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products into the US

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported meat, poultry, and egg products are safe and wholesome. Read more.

Labeling and Marking of Imported Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

Meat, poultry, and egg products imported into the United States must adhere to the labeling standards in the Federal meat, poultry and egg products inspection Acts, regulations, and policies, or their equivalent. Read more

In-Depth Coverage: Country of Origin

Import Regulation by Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act applies to specific fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop imports into the United States. It is the responsibility of the importer of record to have each shipment imported inspected for size, grade, and quality to receive a United States’ USDA/AMS inspection certificate by AMS. Read more

Import of animals, animal products, and biologics into the U.S

The import and export of animals, animal products, and biologics are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS restricts some animals and animal products from entering the United States because of the animal health situation in the region of origin.  Read more… 

USDA National Organic Program (NOP)

National Organic Program (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal regulatory program that develops and enforces uniform national standards for organically-produced agricultural products sold in the United States. Read more

In-Depth Coverage: Importing Food Products 

In-Depth Coverage: Marketing and Advertising Compliance

In-Depth Coverage: Cosmetics Import Requirements

Quick Link To U.S. Customs & Import Requirements

FDA-Regulated Products and Import Requirements

Customs Clearance and Import Requirements

Guidance on customs & logistics solution for traditional and e-commerce importers and exporters

Ocean Cargo

Importer Security Filing (ISF)

An ISF is required when cargo (ocean only) laden on vessel at a foreign port is destined for shipment to the U.S.  Under ISF rule, some importing information and details regarding cargo must be transmitted to the CBP at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto the vessel.

Customs Brokerage & Consulting

Customs Clearance

All goods imported into the U.S. are required to be declared to CBP. Our customs broker will help you stay in compliance with customs laws and regulations and clear your goods quickly and efficiently with our electronic Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Automated Broker Interface (ABI) Single Window System.

Logistics Solution

Freight Forwarding

Looking for a freight forwarding partner?  To move your cargo from its current location through customs to its final destination we will partner with you to find the best way for your business. Whatever your transportation, logistics or customs clearance needs, we will do our best to customize a solution for your needs. 

Warehousing & Logistics

Warehousing & Distribution

Our warehouse facility offers great potential for serving as a regional hub with over 145,000 SF storage capacity close to Los Angeles Airport & Los Angeles/Long Beach Sea port. With our extensive experience in freight services, your import/export cargo will be handled quickly and effectively.

Section 321 Entry

Section 321 Entry

Section 321 entry allows importing free of duty and tax for shipments imported by one person on one day having a fair retail value in the country of shipment not more than $800. We provide our resident and non-resident clients with dedicated ACE eManifest solutions for Section 321 entry of all modes of transportation. 

Country of Origin

Non-resident Importer Program

If you want to sell your products in U.S. marketplaces, but you are a business owner located outside of the U.S. and do not have an entity or presence in the U.S., you need to be established as a Foreign Importer of Record before your products can be imported into the U.S. We can help you.

E-Commerce

E-Commerce

The Internet has made it easy to find and purchase items from almost anywhere in the world. Our e-commerce experts will help you find the right solution for your international transportation, customs clearance, and delivery to your final destination.  We also provide value-added repackaging, warehousing and distribution services. 

Design your own logistics

To move your cargo from its current location through customs to its final destination we will partner with you to find the best way for your business.