The U.S. is the world’s largest grocery retail market – valued at over $2.6 trillion annually – and it represents enormous opportunity for food and CPG brands across Latin America.
But opportunity alone doesn’t guarantee success. Breaking into the U.S. means more than securing buyers; it requires navigating complex logistics, strict regulations, and a consumer base with sky-high expectations for quality, speed, and transparency.
Before you ship your first pallet, ask yourself: Are you really ready for the U.S. market?
This checklist is designed to help you evaluate your preparedness across operations, compliance, and logistics strategy.
No. 1: Market & Consumer Readiness
- Have you defined your target channel? Retail, wholesale, direct-to-consumer, or a combination?
- Do you understand U.S. consumer preferences? Private label growth, demand for transparency, QR-code packaging, and sustainability expectations are a few.
- Are you priced competitively? U.S. consumers are highly price-sensitive, especially under inflation and tariff-driven cost increases.
No. 2: Regulatory Compliance & Food Safety
- FDA, USDA, and FSMA compliance secured? Import rules, labeling requirements, and safety protocols are non-negotiable.
- Do you have a food safety certification? SQF, BRCGS, or equivalent signals credibility for retailers.
- Customs and tariffs assessed? With new reciprocal tariffs and the end of de minimis exemptions, even small shipments face scrutiny.
No. 3: Cold Chain & Inventory Management
- Can your supply chain protect perishables? U.S. buyers expect uncompromised freshness.
- Do you have multi-zone U.S. warehousing? Nationwide reach reduces costs and ensures faster turns.
- Is your inventory visibility real-time? Omnichannel demands seamless order fulfillment across channels.
No. 4: Transportation & Distribution
- Are you prepared for U.S. freight volatility? Truckload, drayage, and last-mile capacity are in flux.
- Do you have contingency routes? Port congestion and regulatory changes can reroute supply chains overnight.
- Integrated partner network in place? One partner for warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation reduces complexity.
No. 5: Technology & Integration
- Do you have ERP/WMS connectivity? Integration is key to real-time visibility across your supply chain.
- Are you leveraging predictive analytics? AI and forecasting tools can reduce spoilage and stockouts.
- Are you prepared for U.S. retailer scorecards? On-time, in-full (OTIF) compliance requires data accuracy and tech-enabled processes.
No. 6: Value-Added Services & Flexibility
- Is your packaging U.S.-compliant? California and other states are tightening recycling/composting rules.
- Can you handle kitting, labeling, or retail prep? U.S. retailers often demand SKU-level customization.
- Reverse logistics prepared? Returns, recalls, and rework need fast, cost-efficient processes.
No. 7: Partner & Service Readiness
- Have you chosen a U.S.-based 3PL with food expertise? Generalists can’t match the compliance needs of F&B.
- Can your partner scale with you? From initial pilot shipments to nationwide distribution.
- Do you have one system of record? Fragmented partners create gaps in visibility and higher costs.
From Checklist to Action Plan
Expanding into the U.S. market isn’t just about crossing borders – it’s about crossing every “t” in your operations. Each item on the checklist can be the difference between a smooth launch and a costly misstep.
At Source Logistics, we help LATAM food and CPG brands turn readiness into results. With nationwide warehousing, cold chain distribution, real-time technology, and responsive human-first service, we bridge the gap between compliance and competitiveness.
Ready to find out if your operations are U.S.-ready? Connect with Source Logistics today to review your checklist, identify gaps, and build a plan that positions your brand for growth in the $2.6 trillion U.S. grocery market.