How to Get a DUNS Number for FDA Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Food Exporters

A facility subject to FDA food facility registration must provide an FDA-accepted unique facility identifier (UFI). FDA currently recognizes Dun & Bradstreet's DUNS number for that purpose. First check whether the physical facility already has a usable D&B record; requesting a duplicate number can create another problem. DUNS is distinct from an FDA food registration number and from FEI.

What information is needed before applying

Prepare the facility's legal business name, its own physical address, contact details and the business information D&B requests for the selected country/FDA route. Check the D&B record against the facility name and address you plan to provide to FDA. Do not use a parent office or a different operating site merely because it already has a number. FDA's registration system can flag name or address mismatches for review.

Where and how to apply

Use D&B's Import Safety Portal for worldwide FDA-related lookup, a new request or an update: https://importregistration.dnb.com/ . Check the existing record before requesting a new number. FDA says the first four numbers can be obtained free through this route and that issuance may take up to 45 days. D&B's general U.S. request page gives a different standard estimate of up to 30 business days and offers a separately paid expedited route; do not assume those terms or a one-to-two-day result apply to every country or request. FDABridge's $149 acquisition service is professional application assistance and follow-up, not a D&B or FDA filing fee or an issuer speed guarantee.

Verifying an existing DUNS number

A facility may already have a DUNS number from another business purpose. D&B's lookup helps identify and check that record; it does not tell you whether an FDA food registration is active. If the name or address needs correction, request an update with D&B, then check the revised record before the FDA submission. FDABridge lists a separate $99 DUNS Information Change service for update assistance. D&B controls its review and timing; there is no universal correction interval.

Timing: when to start the FDA registration after getting the DUNS

Wait for D&B to confirm the number and review its facility name and address before using it as the food UFI. FDA can flag mismatched D&B and registration information for review; no fixed extra waiting period after D&B confirmation is established. A DUNS request or lookup is not itself an FDA food registration, and FEI lookup cannot confirm a food registration. Check the FDA Industry Systems submission and outcome separately.

How FDABridge manages the DUNS process for clients

Choose the task you need: $149 DUNS acquisition assistance if the facility lacks a usable number; $99 DUNS Information Change assistance for an existing record that needs correction; or food facility registration with US Agent Year 1 at $349 when the UFI is ready. The $449 Food Starter Bundle includes acquisition, registration and Agent Year 1. Check scope before ordering at https://fdabridge.com/food and https://fdabridge.com/duns-number . FDA currently recognizes DUNS for food registration: https://www.fda.gov/food/online-registration-food-facilities/food-facility-registration-user-guide-biennial-registration-renewal . FDA's D&B portal fact sheet is at https://www.fda.gov/media/160348/download .