On May 10, the Food and Drug Administration launched a portal for online submission of Food Supply Verification Program (FSVP) documents.
From the agency’s announcement:
The FDA Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Food Importers (FSVP), established by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), requires importers to perform certain risk-based activities to verify that their foreign suppliers are producing food in accordance with U.S. food safety standards. The FDA typically conducts inspections of FSVP records at an importer’s place of business. However, if requested in writing by the FDA, the FSVP regulation requires importers to provide FSVP records to the agency electronically, or through another means that delivers the records promptly.
The pandemic has brought about modernization of many business processes that are meant to expedite document delivery, utilize video verification audits and visits, and online document submissions rather than sending physical documents that because of distributed workforces may be difficult to collect and submit.
Utilizing this platform, importers can most quickly get information into the hands of the agency for their review and hopeful release of cargo which may be detained or being reviewed pending a document submission or analysis.
To access this new portal, importers with an active FDA Account ID and password should go here to the FDA Industry Systems page and scroll down to the FSVP Importer Portal. If an importer does not have an account, one can be created utilizing the same link.
Customs brokers holding valid powers of attorney like Sobel Network Shipping are also able to manage your portal activities and submissions similar to the way we manage and monitor ACE Portal account information. Ask your representative.
Sobel Network Shipping is an experienced customs broker working with FDA across a variety of import categories including food, medical devices and other regulated items. We have built a working relationship with the agency’s review staff and compliance officers in ports across the United States. If your FDA regulated imports are being delayed only to be released days or weeks later, it might be time to speak to Sobel about how your compliant merchandise can and should be entered and released in a timely manner.
