For UAE and GCC facilities subject to FDA food facility registration, the filing must include a unique facility identifier (UFI) recognized as acceptable by FDA. FDA currently recognizes the Dun & Bradstreet DUNS number for this purpose. The requirement follows the FDA program and the actual facility, not the exporter's country. Cosmetic facility registration under MoCRA uses FEI before submission; cosmetics do not need DUNS merely because food registration does.
Confirm the FDA program first
Food facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for US human or animal consumption generally must register unless exempt. For that registration, confirm the facility-specific DUNS/UFI record and physical address. For cosmetic facility registration, obtain or confirm the FDA Establishment Identifier (FEI) before filing. FDA has not universally replaced DUNS with FEI. If you also handle drugs, devices or another regulated category, check that program's current instructions separately.
Look up the actual facility before requesting a DUNS number
Use D&B's lookup and the FDA-UFI request option to check whether the physical facility already has a number. A head-office record should not be assumed to identify a factory at a different address. Prepare the legal business name, physical facility address, phone number, responsible contact and the other information requested for your country. Use consistent Arabic-to-English spelling where applicable; confirm any local registration documents with D&B rather than relying on a universal GCC checklist.
Use the current D&B support channel
DUNS numbers are assigned and managed by D&B. Follow the D&B link in FDA's renewal reminder, or use D&B's current support service and country selector: https://support.dnb.com/ . The former support page directs users to its Digital Service Center. A free-zone or branch location should be checked against the physical address of the facility being registered, not simply the company's mailing address.
Processing time: confirm your country and request type
D&B's general application page says normal processing can take up to 30 business days: https://www.dnb.com/en-us/smb/duns/get-a-duns.html . This is general published guidance, not a verified UAE/GCC-specific estimate or a guarantee for an FDA-UFI request. Confirm current timing, eligibility and any paid expedited option with D&B for your country and request. FDA validation and record corrections have separate timing; no overall completion date is promised.
Check the DUNS address against the food registration
FDA uses the UFI to verify that the facility-specific address associated with it is the same address in the food registration. Verify the D&B record before filing and resolve inconsistencies through the current D&B channel. Keep the existing food registration number and authorized FDA Industry Systems access ready for a renewal. Do not submit passwords or PINs in an initial enquiry.
Food next step: the 2026 renewal journey
Food facility registration renewal runs October 1–December 31, 2026. FDA considers registrations expired if they are not renewed by December 31, 2026, and charges no food registration or renewal fee. Review preparation, scope and limitations at https://fdabridge.com/food-facility-registration or read https://fdabridge.com/blog/fda-food-facility-registration-renewal-2026 . Paid annual US Agent coverage is separate from statutory biennial renewal.
Cosmetic next step: FEI and MoCRA
For cosmetic facility registration, obtain FEI before submission and check whether an exemption applies. Facility renewals are due every two years from the initial registration date; cosmetic product-listing updates are annual. Review MoCRA filing support at https://fdabridge.com/cosmetic-facility-registration and product-listing support at https://fdabridge.com/cosmetics . The October–December food calendar does not set cosmetic renewal dates.
Professional assistance and fees
FDABridge's catalog lists DUNS acquisition assistance at $149 and initial food facility registration with US Agent Year 1 at $349, in USD. These are professional service charges, separate from D&B's own request options and FDA's free food filing. Confirm the selected scope and any subsequent coverage charges before payment at https://fdabridge.com/pricing . US Agent coverage applies to the agreed service term; confirm renewal or transfer coverage separately. FDABridge is independent of FDA; registration is not product approval or guaranteed import clearance.
Official FDA sources
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/registration-listing-cosmetic-product-facilities-and-products