FDA Procedure
Outbound to the United States
FDA prior notice is required on all food products for both human & animal consumption.
Products also include some personal necessities such as drugs, medical devices, soap, shampoo, cosmetics, etc.
Steps
- The process starts by supplying the shipper with the Carrier Name and SCAC code. If the carrier doesn't know his/her SCAC it is the first 4 letters on their PAPS stickers as indicated on the first page of this manual. The shipper will electronically send their information through the FDA system to their customs broker or directly to FDA. Their submission will contain information on the product, its manufacturing process, packaging, etc.
- Once the carrier is loaded he/she must complete a prior notice cover sheet and fill in all the required information (see attached). This prior notice must be faxed a minimum of 4 hours prior to crossing the border but must cross no more than 5 days after sending prior notice. The driver is to attach a PAPS sticker to the Bill Of Lading and Customs Invoice and fax to the broker. The FDA issues a Prior Notice confirmation number to the Broker as acceptance of the notification.
- Once the driver reaches the border he/she will first clear customs where they may x-ray the trailer. The customs officer will advise the driver if FDA wishes to inspect the load. If they do the driver should report to FDA for inspection. They will break the seal and have the driver back the trailer into a dock. The driver will hand over his or her paperwork in order for FDA to inspect the contents versus the documents provided. It is then the responsibility of Customs to reseal the trailer with a Customs seal.
FDA/AQI is not open 24 hours. If a truck arrives after inspection hours, the FDA may choose to inspect the load and will either hold it at the border until morning (business hours) or send it back to Canada. If the truck is sent back to Canada, the 4 hour prior notice begins again. Contact the broker and find out what FDA's hours are before sending a truck. Detroit is open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday for inspection.
Meat Shipments
For meat shipments, the driver must proceed
to the meat inspection house after he or she
has been cleared at the border. Meat shipments
are subject to FDA Prior Notice.
No one at Customs or the FDA will
direct the driver to go to the meat inspection
office. The driver/carrier must be advised
of this requirement at the time of dispatch.
At the meat inspection office, the driver
submits the original meat paperwork.
No photocopies or duplicates will
be accepted! The meat inspector may
take samples and inspect the product. The
meat inspector keeps the original meat certificate
and provides the driver with a letter indicating
that the USDA has either cleared the load
or has put it on HOLD. The officer may provide
a copy of the stamped meat certificate to
the driver.
If the load is put on HOLD, the driver is
asked to either drop his/her trailer or back
into a door for offloading.
If the load is put on HOLD, the
customer must be notified.
Inbound to Canada
Meat Shipments
Inbound meat shipment loads have the meat certificates sent to the Broker. The Broker in turn submits them to CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and waits for their response. The Broker will then provide the MCAP which will either state that the load is a SKIPLOT or FULL INSPECTION. If the load is a SKIPLOT, the Broker will keep the original meat certificate. If the load is a FULL INSPECTION the Broker will request the driver sign a document indicating that he/she has been given the original meat certificate to accompany the load for inspection at the location indicated on the MCAP. Only the customer can change the location of the inspection location.
