Why Your Food Shipment Was Detained: Common FDA Registration Errors
How to Identify and Fix the Registration Mistakes That Cause Costly Customs Delays.
Key takeaways
- A "Registration Number" alone does not guarantee entry. If your facility data, US Agent verification, or UFI (DUNS) information contains even a minor typo, the FDA’s automated screening system will flag your shipment for detention, leading to expensive storage fees and potential product loss.
The "Invalid Registration" Trap
It is a common frustration: you have an FDA registration number, your paperwork is in order, yet your shipment is held at the U.S. port of entry. In most cases, the culprit is not the food quality, but a data mismatch in the FDA's Unified Registration and Listing System (FURLS).
1. The US Agent Verification Gap
For non-U.S. facilities, the most frequent cause of sudden registration cancellation is a failure in the US Agent verification process. If the FDA attempts to contact your listed agent and receives no response, or if the agent has not formally confirmed their representation of your facility, your registration is legally "Invalid."
- The Fix: Use a professional US Agent service that provides an immediate, documented response to FDA inquiries.
2. DUNS Number & Physical Address Mismatches
The FDA uses the DUNS database to verify the physical existence of a facility. If the address on your FDA registration is "123 Main St." but your DUNS record says "123 Main Street, Suite A," the system may trigger an automatic hold.
- The Fix: Perform a "Data Audit" to ensure your FDA account, DUNS profile, and Shipping Manifests (Bill of Lading) match character-for-character.
3. Expired Registrations (The Biennial Lapse)
Every even-numbered year, registrations must be renewed. Many exporters continue to ship in January using a number that expired on December 31st of the previous year. An expired number is treated as a "Non-Registration," which can lead to a flat refusal of entry.
4. Incorrect Food Product Categories
When you register, you must select specific food categories (e.g., "Fishery/Seafood" or "Fruit/Vegetable"). If you ship a product that is not covered by your registered categories, the Prior Notice will be rejected, and the shipment will be detained until the registration is updated.
Is your shipment currently on hold?
Time is of the essence to avoid mounting demurrage fees. FDA Express can perform an emergency registration audit to identify the error and communicate with the FDA to resolve your status.