Every even-numbered year, the FDA requires all registered food facilities — domestic and foreign — to renew their registrations during a fixed three-month window from October 1 through December 31. The 2026 renewal cycle is approaching, and facilities that fail to complete the process by the deadline will see their registrations expire automatically. An expired registration means your products cannot legally enter the United States. There is no grace period, no extension mechanism, and no appeal process for missed deadlines.
Who Must Renew
Every foreign and domestic facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for human or animal consumption in the United States must maintain an active FDA food facility registration. If your facility is currently registered, you must renew during the October–December 2026 window regardless of when you originally registered. New registrations submitted during 2025 or 2026 still require renewal during this cycle. The only facilities exempt from registration are farms, retail food establishments, restaurants, and certain other categories defined in 21 CFR 1.226.
What Information to Review Before Renewal
The renewal process is not simply clicking a confirmation button. The FDA expects you to review and update all information in your registration record. This includes your facility name and address, your Unique Facility Identifier (DUNS number), the food product categories you manufacture or process, your emergency contact information, and your US Agent designation. Changes to any of these fields must be updated during renewal. Submitting a renewal with outdated or inaccurate information can trigger verification failures.
US Agent Verification
Foreign facilities must designate a US Agent — an individual or organization located in the United States who acts as a communication link between the facility and the FDA. During renewal, the FDA verifies that your US Agent has actively accepted the designation. If your US Agent has changed, retired, or is no longer willing to serve, you must designate a new one before submitting your renewal. An unconfirmed US Agent will block your renewal from processing.
Why You Should Prepare Now — Not in October
Waiting until October to begin the renewal process is a common mistake that leads to preventable failures. DUNS number verification issues can take 30 to 45 days to resolve with Dun & Bradstreet. US Agent changes require coordination and confirmation. Food category updates may require internal review of your product lines. By starting your preparation in the summer months, you give yourself enough time to identify and resolve problems before the renewal window opens. FDABridge recommends completing all preparatory work by September 15 at the latest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew early?
No. The FDA's electronic registration system only accepts renewals between October 1 and December 31 of the renewal year. You cannot submit a renewal before October 1, 2026. However, you can and should log into the system before that date to review your current registration data and identify any fields that need updating.
What happens if I miss the December 31 deadline?
Your registration expires. An expired registration cannot be renewed — you must submit an entirely new registration, which may take additional time to process. During the gap between expiration and new registration, your facility's products cannot legally enter the United States. Any shipments in transit may be refused or detained at the port of entry.
Do I need to renew if I registered in mid-2026?
Yes. All active registrations must be renewed during the biennial window regardless of when they were originally submitted. A registration obtained in July 2026 must still be renewed by December 31, 2026.
Is there a fee for renewal?
The FDA does not charge a fee for food facility registration or renewal. However, if you use a third-party service to manage your registration, that service may charge a fee. Be cautious of websites that mimic the FDA's registration portal and charge unauthorized fees.
Checklist for 2026 Renewal Readiness
Verify your DUNS number is active and accurate with Dun & Bradstreet. Confirm your US Agent is willing and able to serve through 2028. Review your registered food categories against your current product lines. Update your emergency contact information. Ensure your facility name and address match your DUNS record exactly. Document any ownership changes or facility modifications that occurred since your last renewal. Complete all corrections at least two weeks before October 1.
FDABridge manages FDA food facility registration and biennial renewal for foreign manufacturers worldwide. We handle DUNS verification, US Agent designation, food category review, and submission processing so your registration stays active without interruption. Visit fdabridge.com/food for details or fdabridge.com/contact to start your renewal preparation today.
Need help with food registration?
See the food services, bundles, and filing support options built for exporters shipping into the US market.