Shipping food, supplements, beverages, cosmetics, or other FDA-regulated products to the United States?

Then you've likely encountered one of the most frustrating parts of international shipping: FDA documentation.

For many exporters, getting an FDA certificate can take more time than preparing the shipment. Between complicated forms, multiple data requirements, and manual processing, a simple shipment can be delayed before it even leaves the origin country.

That's why Terminal Africa built a new FDA Documentation feature that allows eligible customers to generate their FDA document directly from their dashboard before booking a shipment.

What Is FDA Documentation? And Why It Matters

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When shipping certain products to the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires importers and exporters to submit information about those products before they arrive in the country.

This process is known as FDA Prior Notice.

According to the FDA, Prior Notice gives regulators time to review shipment information and help intercept potentially unsafe products before they enter the United States.

In simple terms, FDA documentation helps U.S. authorities know:

• What product is being shipped
• Who manufactured it
• Where it’s coming from
• Who is importing it
• When it’s expected to arrive

FDA Prior Notice may apply to:

• Food products
• Snacks
• Beverages
• Dietary supplements
• Pet food
• Food ingredients
• Animal feed
• Certain cosmetics and health-related products

Without the required documentation, the United States could hold, delay, and refuse entry of eligible shipments.   

Read more on the FDA shipping documentation requirements

Common Challenges Logistics Businesses Face When Getting FDA Documentation

If you once attempted to file FDA documentation manually, you know how complex the process is. 

The FDA requires detailed shipment information, like product details, manufacturer and courier information, importer data,, and more.

For many exporters, the process involves:

• Creating FDA accounts
• Navigating the FDA Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI)
• Gathering extensive shipment information
• Completing technical forms
• Waiting for document confirmation
• Correcting filing errors

One customs broker discussing FDA Prior Notice filings noted that using the FDA website is "time consuming" compared to automated systems.

That can lead to:

• Delayed deliveries
• Customer dissatisfaction
• Additional operational costs
• Disrupted supply chains
• Lost sales opportunities

For growing businesses exporting to the United States, these delays are costly. 

This is the reality. Most businesses want to focus on shipping products, not navigating regulatory paperwork. 

📝See also: FDA food safety import requirements

How Terminal Africa Simplifies FDA Documentation for USA Shipping

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At Terminal Africa, we've seen firsthand how FDA documentation slows down international shipping. Customers often had to wait while documentation was processed before they could move forward with their shipment.

So we asked a simple question:

Why should getting an FDA document take longer than shipping the package itself?

The answer was to build a better system.

With Terminal Africa's new FDA Documentation feature, eligible customers can generate their FDA document directly from their dashboard before booking a shipment.

Benefits of the New FDA Documentation Feature

Fast Shipment Processing

FDA documentation is one of the reasons shipments to the U.S. get delayed. Generating your FDA document before booking reduces delay, so your shipment gets delivered fast.

Less Paperwork

Our platform allows you generate your document while booking shipments. With this, you spend less time spent on admin tasks and focus more on your business.

Improved Compliance

FDA requirements are tasking, and small mistakes can lead to rejected shipments. Thus, we ensure to capture all required information before you book to reduce errors. You still stay in control of your shipment, but compliance becomes easier to manage.

Better Customer Experience

Customers don't like surprises, especially when it comes to shipping. Swift FDA certification makes it easier to provide accurate delivery timelines and avoid frustrating customers. When orders arrive as expected, customers will trust your business and return again.

👨‍💻 Learn How to Easily Generate an FDA Prior Notice on our platform.

Who Should Use This Feature?

This feature is valuable for:

• Food exporters
• E-commerce businesses
• Snack brands
• Beverage companies
• Supplement sellers
• Cosmetics businesses
• African businesses shipping to the United States

If your products fall under FDA regulations, this feature can help simplify compliance and speed up your shipping process.

Ready to Ship to the USA?

Generate your FDA documentation instantly on Terminal Africa and book your shipment without delays.

Ship smart!

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