If you’re interested in importing food from Nigeria to the United States for commercial use, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow:
Determine if the food product is allowed for import
Determine the admissibility of the food product. The United States has strict regulations for imported food products to ensure food safety and compliance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintain a list of products that are prohibited or restricted for import. Check with your broker or contact the FDA and USDA to keep up to date on prohibited and restricted products.
Hire an export agent
Hire a licensed professional. To import food into the U.S., you’ll need to have certificates from the appropriate government agency in Nigeria. These certificate should verify that the food has been produced in accordance with U.S. food safety standards. You may want to consider hiring an export agent in Nigeria to facilitate and obtain all necessary export documents and certificates on your behalf.
Register with the FDA
Register your business and establishment with the FDA. You’ll need to register your company and your food product with the FDA before importing it into the U.S. This will allow the FDA to keep track of the food product and ensure that it meets all of their requirements. You can find registration information on FDA’s website at https://www.fda.gov/
Comply with packaging and labeling requirements
Comply with international packaging and labeling standards. The FDA requires that all imported food products have labels that meet U.S. packaging and labeling requirements. The label should include information such as the name, address and contact information of the manufacturer, the name of the product and net weight, the ingredients, and any allergen warnings.
Hire a customs broker or do-it-yourself (DIY)
Hire a licensed customs broker or do-it-yourself. Although not required, you may want to consider hiring a U.S. customs broker to help with the import process. They can help you navigate the complex regulations and ensure that your shipment is in compliance with all U.S. laws. Or you can file the entry yourself and save time and money, using DIY services such as eezyimport.com. You’ll need to register your company with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Note
Research importing processes. Importing food can be a complex process, and it’s important to be aware of all the regulations and requirements before you begin. If you have any questions, you should contact the FDA or a customs broker for assistance.
As an agribusiness, food production and trading company, Mbariket regularly imports food produce from Nigeria to the U.S. for commercial use. Talk to us. Follow us on LinkedIn. Explore our brands.