Shipping foodstuffs to the states

I have to preregister with US customs...Or do I?

[Essex_boy]

Ive heard it said that if your shipping food to the states you have to prewarn the US customs service, is this so?

And how do I do this? Any one know?

[Rugles]

That is going to be a nightmare for you. If it has any meat or fruit it will be difficult. I can't even drive over the border with a roast beef sandwich without getting a hassle.

Are you talking about sending individual packages? Or an entire skid or container?

[ispy]

Find out what the regulations are (customs website?). They will handle the rest at the border, if you are within regulations it will pass through. If not, you will be sent back a rotting stench on your dime.

[johnafrid]

I have some very good food items to ship to the US but due to the lenghty customs process, registration on both sides and the risk of getting back my items was just not worth it...though I have been able to send some ramen cups to some of my US customers. They were mostly packed with car parts like wheels.

[Rugles]

The only solution is to find a fulfilment operation State-side or maybe a partner. That way you can ship an entire pallet of your product to the States and put up the hassle.

[jimbeetle]

They don't make it easy, but found this on the Department of Agriculture site:

For more information about bringing food, plants and animals into the U.S., write to:

USDA, APHIS
P. O. Box 96464
Attn: National Center for Import/Export
Washington, DC 20090-6464

APHIS site [aphis.usda.gov].

The USDA FSIS [fsis.usda.gov] page might also be of help.

Whew! The DoA site certainly doesn't make things easy. It's the typical "unless you know exactly what you're looking for you ain't gonna' find it" type of site. (Though I did learn that there are about 540 peanuts in a typical 12 ounce jar of peanut butter :-).

[Essex_boy]

Thanks I didjust before I posted this post look for teh information but couldnt find it.