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It’s no secret that Americans love their pets and furry friends. Whether you need to import pet food personally or as part of your business, you’ll want to understand all the ins and outs involved.
Key Takeaways
The following guide will outline what you need to know about importing pet food to the U.S. and how to do it successfully.
In 2023 alone, the United States imported over $4 billion worth of animal feed from other countries. I’ve listed the top five countries that exported this product to the U.S. in the table below.
Many types of animal feed are duty free, but others incur duty rates of up to 7.5% of the shipment’s total value. Goods imported from countries involved in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will usually be duty-free when exported to the U.S.
As a multi-billion dollar industry, importing pet food can be a lucrative way for importers in the U.S. to enhance their profits. To do so successfully, it’s important to first understand what regulations apply to importing animal feed and which agencies enforce those rules.
U.S. Section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) spells out the requirements for imports and exports of FDA regulated products, including pet foods.
Your products may be subject to examination at the port of entry. Here, mistakes and/or violations in labeling and product quality lead to fines, delays, and other punitive actions by CBP.
The use of food products is governed by the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), and product regulations are issued under its authority.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the primary regulatory body of pet food. Their duties and responsibilities include:
Human and animal foods must be safe and wholesome, contain no deleterious, harmful, or unapproved substances, and be truthfully labeled. These requirements are found in Sections 402 and 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act). Federal animal food labeling regulations are found under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 501 [21 CFR 501].
The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act) directs the FDA to take steps to protect the public from a threatened or actual terrorist attack on the U.S. food supply (and other food-related emergencies).
To carry out these provisions of the Bioterrorism Act, the FDA established requirements, such as:
Some of the most important regulations that apply to foods of any kind are centered on clear labeling, so consumers know what’s going in their (and their pets’) bodies.
Worried about the Strict Regulations? Ask Our Experts.
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The federal regulations for labeling pet food, enforced by the FDA, establish standards applicable for all animal feeds. These include labeling requirements, such as
Some states also have their own labeling laws and regulations, usually based on regulations established by AAFCO. They’re more specific, covering details such as the position of the product name, the guaranteed analysis, the nutritional adequacy statement, feeding directions, and calorie statements.
Pet owners and veterinary professionals have a right to know what they’re feeding their pets and patients. Importers must follow the laws that are in place and be as descriptive as possible to ensure their pet food is not questioned by the authorities.
Related: How to Import Pet Supplies
If a product is to be marketed as ‘organic’, it must fulfill a more specific set of regulations. You can access a full set of resources that make up the USDA organic standards online.
The term ‘organic’ is used widely today, but as officially defined by AAFCO, organic animal feed meets the production and handling requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP).
According to the NOP website, these products are “produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.”
As for labeling multi-ingredient products, the following must hold true:
As far as handling goes, handlers need to prevent the commingling of organic with non-organic ingredients.
Worried about the Strict Regulations?
Our Licensed Expert Consultants Will Personally Guide You.
Aside for the price of the good itself, costs associated with importing pet food to the U.S. include typical import duties and shipping charges. These costs vary based on distance traveled and the USA’s trade relationship with the product’s country of origin.
Duty and tax must be paid upon importation into the U.S. for all goods valued at $800 USD and greater. The rate of duty is determined by the tariff of the commodity being imported, the value of the goods and their origin.
Usually, you won’t need a customs bond unless your shipment is worth $2,500 or more. However, food shipments will always require a bond regardless of value due to their highly-regulated status.
Related: How to Get a Customs Bond
The potential for pet food to act as a vector for infections to people and animals alike makes it one of the most carefully regulated commodities on the market. To ensure that the import process goes smoothly, many businesses choose to partner with a professional customs broker.
Working with the experienced U.S. licensed brokers at USA Customs Clearance will help you avoid costly mistakes that may occur if you try to import goods alone. When you encounter challenges or have questions during importing, we’re ready to help you have a positive experience when importing pet food to the U.S.
Our full list of services includes:
If you’re hungry for success, give us a call at (855) 912-0406 or submit a contact form online today!
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what is the duty on dog supplements to the US from Germany
Help Desk,
We are a pet food manufacturer in Israel. We want to export some $5,000 USD of samples for testing in the US market. What certification is required? Can you help me through the steps?
Thank you,
Daniel Goldman
dear All
hello, found you in internet and my factory in China will have order for pet food (PET TREATS) , in above information , we have an issue about it , would you please kindly advise ..
1) please kindly advise what doc. / audit needs in factory if produce the pet treat under USA requirement
2)
Hello sir/madem,
We have been producing the dog chew (churpi) in Nepal .we want to directory sell it to the importer in USA so what are the necessary documents to export dog food from Nepal to USA
Looking forward to hear from you
Kind regards,
Prabin