What Is Required to Export Food and Beverages to the U.S.?

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Exporting to the United States, one of the largest consumer markets in the world, is highly attractive. You can not only gain new customers and expand your brand globally, but also benefit from receiving payments in dollars, which is advantageous due to the dollar's strong value compared to other currencies.

Why Is Exporting Important?

Have you ever considered why exporting is important? One of the significant advantages for economies is comparative advantage, which means supplying the global market based on each country’s production capacity through trade. For example, countries that excel in producing certain agricultural commodities should focus on exporting these products, while importing goods that other nations produce more efficiently. This way, countries can specialize in what they do best, enhancing global efficiency and trade relationships.

More broadly, whether or not a country produces items with a comparative advantage, exports are vital for bringing in foreign exchange, generating and sustaining jobs—crucial for the population’s well-being, development, and consumption—increasing human resource qualifications, fostering industrial growth, and driving the development of new technologies.

What Is the FDA?

Now that we've highlighted some of the key advantages of exports and their importance for economic development as a whole, let’s analyze a specific case: the United States.

Just as many countries have regulatory agencies responsible for controlling the production, entry, and exit of products that may be harmful to health, the United States has the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one of the federal executive departments of the country.

In addition to the basic export documentation, food and beverage products, along with their labels and packaging, must also comply with the protocols established by the FDA to be exported to the United States.

Beyond food and beverage regulation, the FDA also oversees cosmetics, medications, medical devices, and cleaning products, extending its reach into the daily operations of factories, maintenance practices, employee hygiene, and preventive risk control.

Learn more about the FDA in this article on the topic!

How Do I Export Food and Beverages to the U.S.?

B2USA, through B2B Trade Center, has been helping companies bring their products to the global market for years, with FDA certification assistance being one of our core areas of expertise. For certain beverages and foods from other countries to be eligible for entry into the United States, certification is mandatory. That’s why our team assists with every step of regulatory compliance for products and companies with the FDA.

Our team of specialists, lawyers, and consultants, based in the U.S., provides companies with highly efficient support.

We offer our services at fair and competitive rates, with installment payment options for our clients, making the costs of this process more manageable.

Want to know more? Contact our team and get your registration!

The United States and Its Key Trading Partners

Did you know that the United States has several major trading partners? The country has strong trade relationships with various nations around the world, each contributing significantly to its economy. For example, in recent years, China has become one of the top destinations for U.S. exports and the primary source of its imports. However, other countries also play crucial roles in supplying and purchasing goods from the U.S.

Some of the key products exported to the United States include semi-finished iron or steel products, crude petroleum oils, aircraft and parts, coffee, and cellulose. In imports, the manufacturing industry stands out, with nearly 20% being just petroleum fuel oils, followed by engines and machinery, natural gas, and pharmaceuticals.

Now that you know more about U.S. trade relations, if you’re interested in exporting alcoholic beverages, check out our guide on how to export alcoholic beverages to the USA for more detailed information!