Part One: Preparing Food Products for U.S. Market Entry

By Tim Forrest, Transforming Food Brands with Over $20M Raised and $1B in Growth

Before your products even touch U.S. soil, a considerable amount of preparation is required. Communication with the FDA is just the tip of the iceberg, involving detailed paperwork and extensive documentation about your products and manufacturing processes. Here’s what you need to have in order:

  1. FDA Paperwork: Complete all necessary documentation for the Food and Drug Administration.
  2. Inform Port: Inform Customs and Border Patrol about your products entering any U.S. port—whether by truck, rail, air, or commercial delivery services like DHL, FedEx, UPS, or even mail.
  3. USDA Regulations: Understand that different products, like seafood, have unique requirements, and if applicable, comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s standards.
  4. Packaging Compliance: Ensure that packaging is in English and meets all FDA requirements—first shipments are often inspected closely.
  5. DUNS Number: Obtain this unique identifier necessary for international businesses to import goods into the U.S.
  6. U.S. Presence: Have a U.S. office with a telephone, fax, and address to facilitate communication and product acceptance.

As your guide through this journey, I can also detail how to ensure your product complies with safety guidelines and manufacturing protocols. From standard procedures in slaughterhouses to washing protocols for produce, every detail matters in demonstrating the safety and quality of your food products.

Your Next Steps

If you’re armed with an innovative food product and the drive to penetrate the U.S. market, I’m here to help. Visit TimForrestMarkets.com to schedule a call with me. We’ll discuss how to position your product for success in the competitive U.S. food industry.

Stay tuned for the next videos in this series, where we’ll dive deeper into the logistics of shipping, port entry, and post-port strategies.

If you find value in this post and the accompanying video, head over to my YouTube channel, TimForrestConsulting, to like, subscribe, and join the conversation. I’d love to hear about the innovative products you’re eager to bring to the table.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting venture. Remember, importing into the U.S. is a process that’s intricate but not insurmountable—with the right guidance, you can make it a seamless part of your success story.

Here’s to your international success, Tim Forrest

Who is Tim“Hi I’m Tim, and I love the food business! I’ve been helping large and small companies and entrepreneurs achieve success for decades. My consulting projects have contributed to major successes for my clients, including many with 100%+ year-over-year growth rates. I enjoy sharing my expertise, and hope you find these blog posts enlightening. Please reach out to me with any questions or comments.”

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