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IMPORTANT 30-DAY NOTICE FOR FSVP IMPORTERS RE: “UNK”
Food Importer News from the U.S. FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
NEW for food importer – Beginning July 24, 2022, the entity identification code “UNK” will no longer be accepted in the Entity Number field by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Consistent with 21 CFR 1.509(a), FSVP importers will be required to ensure that their valid, 9-digit DUNS number is provided in the Entity Number field.
The entity identification code “UNK” was accepted temporarily to allow Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Food Importers time to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. On July 24, 2022, CBP will reject an entry line of a food subject to the FSVP regulation when the FSVP importer’s DUNS number is not provided in the Entity Number field.
If you already have a DUNS number, you do not need to obtain a new DUNS number.
The DUNS number, which is location specific, must correspond to your U.S. location. If you have multiple U.S. locations and multiple DUNS numbers, use the DUNS number that applies to the location at which you maintain your FSVP records.
Requesting a DUNS Number
Request a new DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) through the D&B’s Import Safety Lookup Portal https://www.importregistration.dnb.com. You may also use the Portal to look-up a DUNS number or request an update to a current DUNS number. For help, contact Dun & Bradstreet’s Customer Service team at 1-844-238-4766.
For Further Assistance
For questions about the FSVP requirement to provide a DUNS number, contact FDA’s Division of Import Operations via email at [email protected].
For more information on acceptable UFIs, see FDA’s guidance:
- Guidance for Industry: Recognition of Acceptable Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) for the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs Regulation
- Guidance for Industry: Compliance with Providing an Acceptable Unique Facility Identifier for the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs Regulation
For details on the data requirements for entry filing relating to the FSVP regulation, review CBP’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service message CSMS #17-000314 and the FDA Supplemental Guide for the Automated Commercial Environment.
For more information on FSVP regulations and DUNS numbers, please email us at: [email protected] and ref: FSVP regulations and DUNS numbers.