Return and Repair: A One-Stop Solution for Reverse Logistics Operational Challenges
August 8th marks the annual International Cat Day. As we all know, cats are often picky eaters or tend to overeat.
To cater to these pampered, “canned” little darlings, an increasing number of domestic pet food brands in China are choosing to enter the European and American markets. Canned pet food is easy to preserve, aligning well with the tendency of “pet parents” to stock up on supplies.
The United States is one of the largest consumers in the global pet food market, with a vast population of pet owners and a mature pet industry chain.
The production, import, and sale of pet products must comply with relevant laws and regulations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates pet food products (including snacks and chews) and their ingredients. Nearly all states in the U.S. require products sold within their borders to be registered and their labels to meet strict requirements regarding product names and ingredients.
Ingredients that have not been approved by the FDA or the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) cannot be used in the processing of pet food.
Pet food labels must adhere to FDA guidelines, which include product names, ingredients, nutritional information, and other specific instructions. Some states in the U.S. follow the pet food regulations set by AAFCO.
FDA Regulatory Requirements
Below are some of the relevant requirements for reference:
Net content;
Ingredient list;
Guaranteed analysis on the label;
Feeding instructions;
Manufacturer or distributor information;
Nutritional statement;
Safety statement and FDA recall authority.
“Food Production Facility Registration” and “Prior Notice”
According to relevant regulations, importers must register their pet food production facilities and submit prior notice to the FDA for each batch of imported pet food.
The timing of the prior notice can affect the transportation of goods. The FDA requires that prior notice be submitted before the pet food arrives at the U.S. border or enters U.S. territory. The deadline for submitting prior notice varies depending on the mode of transportation.
For sea shipments from China to the U.S., prior notice must be submitted at least 8 hours in advance, while air shipments require at least 4 hours’ notice. When submitting prior notice, it’s crucial not to make any mistakes or omissions in the necessary detailed information, such as the pet food producer, the exporting country, the importer, the U.S. consignee, the planned import date, and the port of entry.
Import Permits, Inspection, and Customs Clearance
In certain cases, pet food products like cat cans that contain animal-derived materials require an import permit. Additionally, product testing and inspection are necessary to ensure they meet safety and quality standards.
Some pet foods and other pet supplies may also require additional customs bonds, which can be either single-entry or continuous. A single bond is sufficient to cover all transportation stages. The cost of a continuous bond is always at least $50,000, suitable for companies and factories that import multiple times within 12 months.
We specialize in transporting pet food that meets FDA certification requirements for importation to the U.S., ensuring safe transportation.
Choose us for guaranteed cross-border pet food transportation, with compliant processes and smooth customs clearance.