FDA Food Facility Registration: Step-by-Step Tasks for Foreign Facilities

Registration is a facility and activity decision, not an approval of a food product or a promise that a shipment will be admitted. The owner, operator or agent in charge, or a person authorized by one of them, should confirm each step and retain the FDA record.

1. Check the registration obligation

A domestic or foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs or holds food for U.S. consumption generally registers unless an exemption applies. Farms, restaurants, retail food establishments and other categories have specific exemptions under 21 CFR 1.226. A trader without a covered facility does not register solely because it sells food. Check each physical site and activity before buying assistance.

2. Check the facility DUNS/UFI

FDA currently accepts the facility-specific DUNS number as its food-registration unique facility identifier (UFI). Look up the existing D&B record before requesting another number. Compare the physical address and business name with the proposed FDA record and correct material differences with D&B. FDA's 2026 FAQ says the first four DUNS numbers may be obtained free and acquisition may take up to 45 days. A D&B request or email is not proof of FDA registration. See https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-foods-feeds/animal-food-facility-registration-and-qualified-facility-attestation-frequently-asked-questions and https://importregistration.dnb.com/ .

3. Confirm the U.S. Agent and authorized account

A foreign facility subject to registration designates a U.S. Agent as FDA's contact. Confirm the agent's contact details and acceptance; the U.S. Agent is distinct from the FSVP importer and a customs broker. Use an authorized FDA Industry Systems/FURLS account. If access or the registration PIN is lost, use FDA's retrieval process or seek FDA help rather than creating a duplicate registration. Do not share passwords or PINs in an enquiry.

4. Submit and verify the registration

Enter the facility, owner/operator, food categories, DUNS/UFI and U.S. Agent information in FDA's food-facility registration module. Save the submission record, resolve validation or agent-acceptance steps, and check the final registration status and number in the FDA account. FEI is a separate FDA establishment identifier; do not call it the food registration number or use it in place of DUNS. FDA does not charge for food-facility registration. Submission, account confirmation and import admission are different events.

5. Update and renew when required

Changes to required registration information generally require an update within 60 calendar days. A change of ownership calls for the former owner to cancel and the new owner to register; an Agent change with the same owner is an update. Facilities still subject to registration must renew during October 1–December 31 of each even year, including 2026; an earlier update does not substitute. Keep submission and final confirmation evidence. The separate 2026 renewal guide is at https://fdabridge.com/blog/fda-food-facility-registration-renewal-2026 .

Choose the applicable service

FDABridge offers optional DUNS acquisition, registration filing and first-year U.S. Agent coverage under defined professional-service scopes. D&B and FDA control their own processing; no fixed completion or border outcome is promised. Compare the service and existing-record options at https://fdabridge.com/food-facility-registration and https://fdabridge.com/duns-number . Prior Notice remains a separate shipment task. Official FDA registration guidance: https://www.fda.gov/food/online-registration-food-facilities .