Importers Under FDA/FSVP Program Must Provide DUNS Numbers Starting July 24

Trade Update • May 4, 2022

he Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will end its temporary policy of allowing the identity code “UNK” (unknown), in lieu of a 9-digit DUNS number for Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Food Importers in the Entity Number field on entry forms.

The FSVP regulation requires that for each line of human and/or animal food offered for entry into the U.S., FSVP importers must ensure that their name, email address, and a UFI recognized as acceptable by the FDA (currently, the DUNS number), are provided electronically when filing entry with CBP. When the change is in effect, electronic entry line submissions for foods subject to the FSVP regulation containing “UNK” in the Entity Number field will be rejected by CBP’s electronic import system.

An FSVP importer may obtain a DUNS number from D&B free of charge. It may take approximately 30 business days or longer to receive a DUNS number from D&B after submitting a request. To obtain a DUNS number, please contact D&B directly by phone at 866-705-5711 or at https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.htmlExternal Link Disclaimer.

For questions about import entry data requirements, import/product applicability and impact, please contact us.