FDA Prior Notice Requirements for Shipping Food, Drinks, and Pet Treats to the U.S.

FDA Prior Notice is a requirement of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for most food imported or offered for import into the United States, including food intended for both humans and animals.

Prior Notice gives the FDA information about the shipment before it arrives so the agency can determine whether the food should be inspected or reviewed at the U.S. port of entry.

When is FDA Prior Notice required?

Prior Notice is generally required for food imported or offered for import into the United States, including:

food and beverages for human consumption
dietary supplements
pet food and pet treats
animal feed
food samples
food shipped for commercial purposes
food transiting through the United States in many circumstances

Pet food, pet treats, and animal feed are considered food for FDA purposes and are subject to Prior Notice requirements.

Are personal gifts exempt?

Not always.

FDA provides specific exemptions and enforcement policies for certain personal or non-commercial food shipments.

Prior Notice is not required for food that is:

carried by an individual entering the U.S. for that individual’s personal use
made by an individual in their personal residence and sent by that individual as a personal gift to another individual in the U.S.
subject to certain other FDA exemptions

FDA also has an enforcement policy for some non-commercial food shipments sent from one individual to another, including certain purchased gifts. However, the exemption does not automatically apply simply because a package is labelled as a “gift.”

For example, if a business or retailer ships the food directly, Prior Notice may still be required even if the shipment is a gift.

How early must Prior Notice be submitted?

FDA must receive and confirm Prior Notice before the shipment arrives at the first U.S. port of arrival.

Minimum filing times depend on the mode of transportation:

Transportation Method	Minimum Prior Notice Time
Road	At least 2 hours before arrival
Rail	At least 4 hours before arrival
Air	At least 4 hours before arrival
Water	At least 8 hours before arrival
International mail	Before the food is sent

When using FDA’s Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI), Prior Notice generally cannot be submitted more than 15 days before arrival.

What products commonly require Prior Notice?

Examples can include:

packaged snacks and candy
sauces, soups, spices, and condiments
coffee and tea
juices and other beverages
dietary supplements
pet food and pet treats
animal feed
baking ingredients
shelf-stable, frozen, dehydrated, or prepared foods

Whether Prior Notice applies depends on the specific product and the applicable FDA or USDA jurisdiction.

What are the requirements for pet food and pet treats?

FDA considers pet food, pet treats, and animal feed to be food.

Prior Notice is therefore generally required before these products are imported into the United States unless a specific exemption applies.

Examples include:

dry or wet pet food
dehydrated pet food
pet treats and biscuits
animal feed
certain nutritional products intended for animals

Animal food imports may also be subject to additional FDA requirements beyond Prior Notice, such as facility registration, labeling, and other import requirements.

How should I describe pet food or treats?

Use a clear and specific description of the product.

For example:

Dehydrated beef liver dog treats
Dry chicken and rice dog food, 2 kg bag

Avoid vague descriptions such as food, samples, or pet products.

Clear descriptions can help customs and regulatory agencies understand what is being shipped.

What products are exempt from FDA Prior Notice?

Examples of exemptions include:

food carried by an individual entering the U.S. for personal use
food made in an individual’s personal residence and sent by that individual as a personal gift
certain food exported without leaving the U.S. port of arrival
meat, poultry, and egg products that are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the USDA at the time of import
certain diplomatic shipments

Not every meat-based product is exempt. For example, FDA specifically confirms that meat intended for animal food or pet treats can still require Prior Notice.

Where do I file FDA Prior Notice?

Prior Notice can be submitted electronically through the FDA’s Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI).

FDA Prior Notice System Interface

Prior Notice may also be submitted through applicable U.S. Customs and Border Protection electronic systems by brokers or other authorized parties.

Once submitted through PNSI, you will receive a Prior Notice Confirmation Number.

Does the confirmation number need to travel with the shipment?

If Prior Notice is submitted through PNSI, the carrier should have the Prior Notice Confirmation Number available when the shipment arrives.

FDA recommends that Prior Notice confirmation accompany imported food shipments.

For international mail, the package must bear the Prior Notice confirmation number.

Is a tracking number required?

For most commercial courier shipments, a tracking number is not universally required simply to submit Prior Notice.

However, international mail is different.

FDA’s current rules require Prior Notice for food arriving by international mail to include:

the name of the mail service
the mail tracking number

This requirement was finalized in September 2025.

What information do I need to file Prior Notice?

The exact information required depends on the shipment, but you may need details such as:

product identity and description
manufacturer or grower information, when applicable
shipper information
importer or consignee information
country of production
country from which the food is shipped
quantity and packaging information
anticipated arrival information
carrier or transportation details
applicable facility registration information

A person submitting Prior Notice must have knowledge of the required shipment information.

Who is responsible for filing Prior Notice?

Prior Notice does not have to be filed only by the shipper or exporter.

FDA states that any individual with knowledge of the required information may submit it, including:

manufacturers
exporters
importers
brokers
U.S. agents
other knowledgeable parties

The important requirement is that valid Prior Notice is submitted correctly and on time before the shipment arrives.

What happens if Prior Notice is missing or incorrect?

If required Prior Notice is not submitted, is submitted late, or contains inadequate information, the shipment may be:

held at the port
refused admission
subject to additional FDA or CBP action

Other enforcement actions may also be possible depending on the circumstances.

Does Prior Notice guarantee faster customs clearance?

No.

Prior Notice is a regulatory requirement, not a guarantee of faster clearance.

Submitting accurate Prior Notice helps ensure the shipment meets FDA import requirements, but the shipment may still be inspected, reviewed, delayed, or subject to other customs or regulatory requirements.

Summary

Requirement	Details
Applies to	Most food for human or animal consumption imported into the U.S.
Who can file	Any person with knowledge of the required information
Ground timing	At least 2 hours before arrival
Air timing	At least 4 hours before arrival
Water timing	At least 8 hours before arrival
International mail	Before the food is sent
Mail tracking number	Required for international mail
If missing	Shipment may be held, refused, or subject to enforcement action

Helpful FDA resources

If you have questions about preparing a food or pet-treat shipment through ShipTime, contact our Heroic Support™ team. For questions about FDA eligibility, exemptions, or regulatory interpretation, the FDA should be consulted directly.

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