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FDA Pet Food Facility Registration

Any facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds pet food for U.S. consumption must register with FDA and obtain an 11-digit registration number. A D-U-N-S Number and a U.S. agent are required first; we handle the full registration.

RegulatorU.S. FDA
PrerequisiteD-U-N-S Number + U.S. agent
SubmissionA few business days
RenewalOct-Dec of even years
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What this service is

Animal food falls under the same facility registration framework as human food: under Section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart H, facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food — including pet food — for U.S. consumption must register with FDA.

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires registered facilities to renew registration between October 1 and December 31 of each even-numbered year. Registrations not renewed on time are cancelled, and affected shipments are held at the U.S. port of entry until the facility re-registers and obtains a new registration number.

Certain operations are exempt from registration, including farms, retail food establishments, restaurants, nonprofit food establishments, fishing vessels not engaged in processing, and facilities that only store packaged food not exposed to the environment.

FD&C Act §41521 CFR Part 1 Subpart H21 CFR 1.232(a)(2)FSMA (2011)

Who needs it

Facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold pet food, treats, or chews for the U.S. market
Brand owners using contract manufacturers who need to clarify which party must register
Registered businesses that need a biennial renewal or a registration update

Prerequisites and sequence

D-U-N-S Number→Appoint a U.S. Agent→FDA Pet Food Facility Registration
  • A D-U-N-S Number matching the facility address is required first (since October 1, 2020, FDA requires a verifiable unique facility identifier, and the D-U-N-S Number is the de facto accepted identifier).
  • Foreign facilities must designate a U.S. agent as FDA's point of contact for emergencies and routine registration matters.
  • Registration details (facility name, address, contact, activity types) must match actual operations and the D-U-N-S record.

Who holds regulatory responsibility

The legal registrant is the facility's owner, operator, or agent in charge. As your regulatory consultant we prepare and submit the registration; you must ensure facility information is truthful and meet post-registration duties (timely updates, biennial renewal, FDA inspection access).

Materials we need from you

D-U-N-S Number for the facility
Facility name in Chinese and English, and physical address
Owner/operator details and facility contact (name, title, phone, email)
Activity types performed (manufacturing, processing, packing, holding) and product category description
U.S. agent appointment authorization

Process

  1. 01

    Verify facility information against the D-U-N-S record

  2. 02

    Appoint the U.S. agent and complete authorization

  3. 03

    Complete the online registration and submit to FDA

  4. 04

    Obtain the 11-digit food facility registration number and verify the record

  5. 05

    Issue a registration confirmation for customers, forwarders, and carriers

Deliverables

Your 11-digit FDA food facility registration number
A registration confirmation document (FDA keeps registration details confidential)
A registration file and biennial renewal reminders

Timeline

With complete documentation, the registration number is typically issued within a few business days of submission. If a new D-U-N-S Number is needed first, add its lead time (usually about 7-14 business days).

Scope

What we provide

  • D-U-N-S record and facility information consistency check
  • Registration preparation and submission
  • U.S. agent appointment coordination (if we serve as your agent)
  • Registration number delivery and record management
  • Biennial renewal reminders

What is not included

  • Biennial renewal filings (available as a separate engagement)
  • Building a preventive controls system under 21 CFR Part 507 and audit preparation
  • On-site support during FDA inspections

What usually follows

Pet Treats Label ReviewPet Food FSVP ReportAPHIS VS Permit

Common pitfalls

Missing the biennial renewal windowRegistration must be renewed between October 1 and December 31 of each even-numbered year. An unrenewed registration is cancelled by FDA, arriving shipments are held, and a new registration number is required before release.
D-U-N-S record not matching the registrationIf the facility name or address in the D-U-N-S record does not match the registration, verification fails. After a move or rename, update the D-U-N-S record first, then the registration.
Brand owner and manufacturer unclear on who registersRegistration rests with the facility that actually manufactures, processes, packs, or holds the food. A brand owner that only invoices sales generally does not register, but a warehouse it operates that stores food would — settle the responsibility before cooperation starts.

Pricing

Pricing depends on your product, quantity, and target market. Submit your product details and we will come back with a defined scope and quote.

Request a quote

FAQ

Do pet food and human food use the same registration system?

Yes. FDA food facility registration covers both human and animal food facilities under one framework with the same 11-digit registration number. The difference is that animal food facilities must also meet the preventive controls requirements of 21 CFR Part 507.

Who registers — the brand owner or the contract manufacturer?

The facility that actually manufactures, processes, packs, or holds the food registers. If you only invoice sales and the manufacturer ships directly to the U.S., your office generally does not need to register; a warehouse you operate that stores food would.

Does the registration number go on packaging or invoices?

No. FDA treats registration information as confidential. The number is mainly needed for prior notice filings at import and does not need to be published.

Is registration valid forever?

No. FSMA requires renewal between October 1 and December 31 of each even-numbered year. Registrations not renewed are cancelled, and shipments are held at the port until the facility re-registers.

Related services

D-U-N-S NumberThe D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier for your business. It is required before FDA food facility registration and pet food facility registration. We prepare the application, follow up on verification, and keep your record consistent.Pet Treats Label ReviewU.S. pet food labels must satisfy both FDA federal rules and state requirements generally based on the AAFCO model regulations. We check every mandatory element of your label, deliver an action-point report and a suggested draft, and reduce the risk of detention and warning letters.Pet Food FSVP ReportFSVP requires U.S. importers to perform hazard analysis, supplier evaluation, and verification for each foreign supplier–product combination and to keep complete records. We build the FSVP file and deliver the verification report; scope is priced per product.

Disclaimer

This is a registration assistance service; issuance of the registration number is decided by FDA. This page is general information, not legal advice.