The 2026 renewal window for FDA food facility registration runs from October 1 to December 31, 2026. If a foreign facility names a new U.S. agent or changes the agent information in its renewal, 21 CFR 1.231 adds a step: FDA checks that the person named has agreed to serve and does not confirm the renewal until that person confirms. General renewal steps are in the 2026 food facility registration renewal guide.
When the U.S. agent check applies to a renewal
The rule is in 21 CFR 1.231(a)(5): when a renewal updates U.S. agent information, FDA verifies that the person identified has agreed to serve and withholds the electronic renewal confirmation until that person confirms. FDA's registration guidance adds that, at renewal, it does not re-verify an agent it has already verified for the facility. Keeping the same verified agent adds no step; naming a new agent makes the renewal wait for that agent's confirmation.
How FDA verifies, and what happens if the agent does not confirm
FDA's guidance says it usually verifies by email to the person named as U.S. agent, but may use mail or phone. The agent has 30 calendar days to respond. Without a response in that time, the registration, renewal or update submission is removed from FDA's database and a new submission is required. If the person tells FDA they have not agreed to serve, FDA informs the facility through its owner, operator or agent in charge and asks it to name someone who has agreed. FDA's guidance on its voluntary agent system says the facility then needs to identify a valid U.S. agent within 30 days for the registration to be confirmed. Brief a new agent before you submit, confirm the email FDA will write to and check the final status in your FDA account.
FDA's Voluntary Identification System for agents
In FDA's U.S. Agent Voluntary Identification System (VIS), an agent enters its own contact details and receives a U.S. agent identification number. FDA's VIS guidance lets a foreign facility enter that number instead of the agent's details when it registers, updates or renews; if the facility name matches a facility the agent has listed, FDA treats this as the verification. FDA's VIS user guide adds that an agent can list potential facilities in advance, in which case the assignment is accepted automatically when the facility enters the agent's ID in Section 7. Otherwise the agent accepts or rejects it in VIS. FDA says it does not intend to publish a list of participating agents.
What to line up before you submit
- Agreement to serve. FDA expects facility management to confirm that the person is willing and able to serve and to designate only someone who has affirmatively agreed. FDA does not require a power of attorney or formal contract, but get the agreement in writing; FDA suggests setting out availability terms in any written agreement.
- An eligible agent and exact details. The agent must reside or maintain a place of business in the United States and be physically present there; a mailbox, answering machine or answering service does not qualify. Each facility has one U.S. agent for registration, with a U.S. phone number. Have its name, full address, phone and email, or its VIS number, ready.
- An emergency route. FDA contacts the U.S. agent in an emergency unless the registration names another emergency contact, and FDA's field guide describes the emergency number as one FDA can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At a minimum, the agent needs to know whom to contact at the facility.
- The submitter's authority. If someone other than the owner, operator or agent in charge submits, including the U.S. agent, FDA separately verifies the individual who authorized the submission, also with 30 calendar days to respond, unless it verified that authorization before. Never share FURLS usernames or passwords; FDA lets account holders create subaccounts instead.
Agent changes outside the window, and resignations
A foreign facility may change its U.S. agent at any time but must update the registration within 60 calendar days of the change under 21 CFR 1.234(a). FDA's guidance lets a change made before or during the renewal period go into the renewal if it is still within those 60 days. An agent that stops serving can tell FDA by email to FURLS@fda.gov or reject the facility in VIS, and FDA then asks the facility to find another agent within 60 calendar days. FDA also states that it may hold shipments from a foreign facility that has not registered because it provides no U.S. agent at the U.S. port of arrival until the registration lists an agent who has agreed to serve.
Related guidance
The agent's role for food facilities is explained in why every foreign food facility needs a U.S. FDA agent and the food, drug, device and cosmetic agent roles are compared in what an FDA U.S. agent does for each product type. If the deadline has already passed, start with food facility renewal deadlines and penalties. What the rest of the renewal must contain is covered in what a 2026 food facility renewal must contain. If you are renewing and changing your U.S. agent at the same time, see renewing your registration and changing your U.S. agent together; if you cannot access your FDA account, see what to do if you are locked out of your FDA account before the renewal.
How FDABridge helps
FDABridge's food facility registration service first establishes whether a facility needs initial registration, renewal or a U.S. agent transfer. With the facility's authorization, it reviews the facility information and the DUNS/address match and coordinates submission through FDA Industry Systems and the required U.S. agent confirmation. Where FDABridge is to become the U.S. agent, the designation is subject to the facility's authorization and FDA acceptance, and if another agent is currently named, FDABridge clarifies the transfer and effective date before any replacement (see the U.S. Agent service). Agent coverage alone does not include renewal filings. Renewal with a U.S. agent transfer is requested through the renewal and U.S. agent transfer request form. Do not include FURLS passwords or PINs. Registration is not FDA approval.
Sources: 21 CFR 1.227, 1.231, 1.232 and 1.234 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-H); FDA, Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration (Seventh Edition), sections C.7, E.5, E.6 and H.2 (https://www.fda.gov/media/85043/download); FDA, VIS guidance for food facility registration (https://www.fda.gov/media/142968/download); FDA, VIS user guide (https://www.fda.gov/media/142505/download); FDA, Food Facility Registration User Guide: Summary of Fields (https://www.fda.gov/food/online-registration-food-facilities/food-facility-registration-user-guide-summary-fields); FDA update of July 20, 2026 on registration security (https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-advises-human-and-animal-food-facilities-protect-their-food-facility-registration-information).