Dun & Bradstreet's DUNS number identifies a business location. FDA currently accepts it as the unique facility identifier (UFI) for facilities that must register under the food facility rules. That does not make DUNS a universal requirement for every foreign exporter or every FDA programme. Check whether the specific facility must register, then check whether it already has a usable D&B record.
What a DUNS number identifies
The relevant D&B record must identify the physical food facility, not merely its corporate headquarters. Separate locations can have separate numbers. Check the legal name and physical address in the record before using it in FDA Industry Systems. A DUNS number is not an FDA food registration number and does not establish that registration is active.
How to obtain a DUNS number
Use D&B's Import Safety Portal for worldwide FDA-related lookup, new requests and updates: https://importregistration.dnb.com/ . Check for an existing facility record first. FDA says the first four numbers through this route may be obtained free and that a request may take up to 45 days. D&B's general U.S. route publishes a different standard estimate and optional paid expedited processing; it does not establish a universal one-to-two-day FDA route. D&B controls issuance and timing.
DUNS number vs. other business identifiers
DUNS is assigned and managed by D&B. FEI is an FDA-assigned establishment identifier used in other FDA processes, including cosmetic facility registration. FDA food facility registration has its own registration number and status. SAM.gov uses its own Unique Entity ID (UEI) for federal contracting; that is a separate programme. Do not substitute FEI or UEI for the food UFI, and do not treat a D&B or FEI search as a food-registration status check.
Common mistakes when providing DUNS numbers to FDA
Check the facility's own D&B name and address before an FDA submission. FDA may flag a mismatch for review. If the D&B record needs correction, request an update with D&B and verify the revised record; update the FDA registration separately where required. There is no universal character-for-character rejection rule or guaranteed time for a D&B correction to appear in FDA's process.
FDABridge and DUNS number support
FDABridge offers $149 DUNS acquisition assistance and separate $99 record-change assistance. The $349 food facility registration offer includes UFI review and US Agent Year 1, while the $449 Food Starter Bundle includes DUNS acquisition too. Compare scope at https://fdabridge.com/duns-number and https://fdabridge.com/food-facility-registration . FDA's current food UFI instructions: https://www.fda.gov/food/online-registration-food-facilities/food-facility-registration-user-guide-biennial-registration-renewal .