1. The 2026 window is a facility-registration deadline
FDA's guide, published on 7 August 2026, gives the 2026 Biennial Registration Renewal period as 1 October at 12:01 a.m. through 31 December at 11:59 p.m. for food facilities required to register.
FDA also distinguishes an update from a renewal and says a registration not renewed by the deadline is considered expired. This supports ownership and calendar control at facility level; it does not demonstrate that a particular durian snack is compliant.
2. FDA does not pre-approve imported food product by product
FDA's importing-food page places responsibility on importers to ensure food is safe, sanitary and labelled to U.S. requirements. It also says FDA is not authorized to approve, certify, license or otherwise sanction individual importers, products, labels or shipments.
A claim such as ‘FDA registered’ therefore needs to identify the registered facility and a verifiable status. It should not be compressed into ‘FDA-approved product’ or use a registration number to imply product endorsement.
3. FSVP sits with the importer and links a food to a supplier
FDA explains that covered importers must perform risk-based foreign-supplier verification activities. An FSVP is generally developed for each food and each foreign supplier unless an exemption or modified requirement applies.
A Thai producer can prepare information that supports the importer's hazard analysis, supplier evaluation, verification and corrective action. It should not claim to have ‘passed FSVP’ without the responsible importer's documented assessment.
4. Prior Notice identifies an incoming shipment; it is not a quality seal
FDA states that Prior Notice must be provided for food for humans and animals imported or offered for import under the rule's scope. The filing is tied to an incoming shipment; it does not replace facility registration or FSVP.
Keep the confirmation with the matching entry, transport documents, SKU, quantity, lot code and filer. Do not turn it into a quality claim or evidence that FDA has already examined and released the shipment.
5. The seven-layer U.S. Market Entry Evidence File
This is an editorial evidence-management framework, not an FDA form, legal determination or Siam Diamond certification.
- Facility Identity — legal name, address, activities, registration status, renewal cycle, UFI and U.S. Agent where applicable
- Product Identity — SKU, formula, ingredients, allergens, process, packaging and storage conditions
- Label Review — production artwork, version, language, mandatory particulars, claims, reviewer and rule date
- Importer & FSVP Map — rule-defined importer, food–supplier pair, scope or exemption, verification evidence and corrective action
- Shipment Record — invoice, packing list, carrier, entry, Prior Notice and the link to lot codes
- Lot Release — relevant controls or test records, decision maker, Hold/Release status and rationale
- Change Control — formula, facility, importer, label, rule or shipment changes that trigger review
6. Ask seven release questions before shipment
Before printing or shipping, confirm the facility and importer owners, the product and lot, the applicable requirements, whether artwork matches the locked formula, whether the relevant FSVP evidence is ready, whether Prior Notice and entry records identify the same shipment, and who approved the decision.
If product classification, importer role, an exemption, formula, label or shipment linkage remains unresolved, place the work on Hold and obtain confirmation from the responsible specialist or partner. This article does not classify or clear any Siam Diamond product.
