ACE requires FSVP Information to be transmitted

For Importers of Food for Humans and Animals.

According to the Cargo Systems Messaging Service update on May 3, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that transmission of the FSVP data will become a mandatory ACE data element on May 30, 2017 via the Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) for the FSVP importer.  FDA recognizes the DUNS as a UFI acceptable to FDA, and FDA expects the transmission of the FSVP Importer’s DUNS number in this field in PG19.

This will be available in ACE Certification for testing on or before May 11, 2017.

For the onboarding period, FDA will temporarily allow the submission of “UNK” (unknown) as the syntax for the DUNS number for the FSVP Importer in PG19. “UNK” should only be used if the nine-digit, site-specific DUNS number is not available at the time the entry is transmitted.  Scarbrough will update our clients at a later date to indicate when UNK will no longer be accepted.

 

As mentioned above, the first FSVP compliance date is May 30, 2017.  The requirement is for importers whose foreign suppliers falls into one of the following requirements.

Importers whose foreign supplier falls into one of these categories, will need to follow the requirements:

The supplier:
FSVP Recognizes DUNS Numbers as Identifier

The Food and Drug Administration announced the Final Rule on the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) in mid-2016, which requires FSVP importers to verify the food they import meets U.S. safety standards and in early April, the Food and Drug Administration formally recognized the Data Universal Numbering System number as an acceptable unique facility identifier under the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). The DUNS number is available to importers free of charge and may generally be obtained within a few business days.  [Read more]

What does this mean for the Importer?

Importers need to ensure their supplier has a DUNS number.  Please send the DUNS number to Scarbrough and we will take care of the input of data into ACE as part of our entry process.  Send the instructions to your supplier below.  

 

Fact Sheets available in their native language.

Link below.

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How to Obtain DUNS Number

To obtain a DUNS number for free, visit www.fdadunslookup.com. DUNS numbers should be unique for each firm, i.e., a corporate headquarters with multiple company locations should not have the same DUNS number for each site. Each unique site (address) should have a unique DUNS number.

Please note: There are no additional changes to the required data elements for the Foreign Supplier Verification Program Importer.

What foods are exempt from the requirement?
  • meat, poultry and egg products subject to USDA regulation;
  • suppliers covered by the seafood or juice HAACP regulations
  • raw materials or ingredients for use in a food produced under the seafood or juice HAACP regulations
  • alcoholic beverages
  • food imported for research or evaluation provided it is not for retail sale, is properly labeled and is accompanied by an electronic declaration at entry
  • food transshipped through the US for export
  • food imported for processing and future export

Other foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, low-acid canned foods and dietary supplements, are subject to modified requirements

 

Did You Know?

Under the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), “food” is defined broadly to include “food contact substances,” such as food packaging materials and containers. However, the FSVP deadline for food contact substances has been delayed for two years – until May 28, 2019. Therefore, imports of food contact substances will not be subject to the FSVP data entry requirements for other food imports on May 30, 2017.

More Information

For a list of specific data elements required for FSVP, refer to the FDA Supplemental Guide V2.5

For questions related to FSVP, please Contact FDA

For questions related to the submission of data elements for FSVP contact FDA’s ACE Support, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, 7 days a week at: ACE_Support@fda.hhs.gov, 877-345-1101, or 571-620-7320.

Resources:

FSVP Resources