Are You Ready for U.S. Food Import Compliance? Take the Quiz 

Bringing food products from Latin America into the United States is full of opportunity – but also full of regulations. Import compliance mistakes can mean costly delays, rejected shipments, or even lost retail partnerships. 

Take this quick quiz to see how ready your brand really is for U.S. import compliance. 

Question 1: Do you know which U.S. agencies regulate food imports? 

A) Just the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
B) FDA + U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) + U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
C) None, if your supplier is certified 

Answer: B. Multiple agencies are involved. The FDA oversees most packaged and processed foods under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulates meat, poultry, and some egg products. And CBP enforces these rules at the border, coordinating with both the FDA and USDA. Other agencies may also be involved depending on the product type, like alcoholic beverages via the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). 

Question 2: Do you have a U.S. Agent of Record? 

A) Yes 
B) No 
C) I’m not sure 

Answer: Every foreign food facility must designate a U.S. Agent when registering with the FDA. This agent is your official point of contact for inspections, notices, or emergencies. It’s a non-negotiable requirement under 21 CFR § 1.226. 

Question 3: How far in advance must Prior Notice be filed with the FDA? 

A) At least 24 hours before shipment 
B) Before the food arrives in the U.S. port of entry 
C) Only after customs clearance 

Answer: B. Prior Notice must be filed and confirmed before your shipment arrives at the first U.S. port of entry. The FDA requires different advance times depending on mode of transport – for example, air shipments must be filed at least 4 hours before arrival, and vessel shipments at least 8 hours before. Full details are outlined in FDA’s Prior Notice guidance. 

Question 4: Do you know your HS codes and tariff classifications? 

A) Yes, they’re listed on every shipment. 
B) I think so, but my forwarder handles it. 
C) We haven’t thought about it yet. 

Answer: B. Accurate classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule is essential. Misclassifications can mean higher duties, shipment delays or penalties from CBP. Even small errors in tariff codes can change admissibility requirements for food imports. 

Question 5: What’s your plan for product labeling in the U.S.? 

A) We already meet U.S. nutrition panel and bilingual requirements. 
B) We’ll handle labeling once products arrive. 
C) We haven’t thought about it yet. 

Answer: A. U.S. retailers require labels to fully comply with FDA nutrition and allergen labeling rules. That includes the standardized Nutrition Facts panel, ingredients list, and required allergen disclosures under 21 CFR § 101.9. Fixing labels after arrival often means costly rework and retail penalties. 

Question 6: Who ensures your cold chain compliance? 

A) The shipper at origin 
B) The carrier 
C) My logistics partner tracks it end-to-end. 

Answer: C. Maintaining safe temperatures is part of ensuring food is not “adulterated” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. While responsibility is shared among shipper and carrier, only a logistics partner with monitoring technology can deliver end-to-end cold chain compliance. 

Your Results 

5-6 correct: You’re on track, but regulations evolve – keep monitoring. 
3-4 correct: You know the basics, but compliance gaps could cost you. 
0-2 correct: Time to bring in an expert before your next shipment. 

Next Step: Partner with a 3PL that knows compliance inside and out 

Source Logistics helps LATAM food brands successfully import into the U.S. with compliance-ready warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, technology, and retail-prep services. 

Contact us to make sure compliance never slows your growth.