On January 1, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will open the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal for fiscal year (FY) 2026.
What is VQIP and why would Canadian exporters want to apply? In brief:
- The what: VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides importers, who achieve and maintain control over the safety and security of their supply chains, the benefits of expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the United States.
- The why: Food importers who meet eligibility requirements can avoid unexpected delays at the point of import entry by importing their products more quickly.
- The how: Between January 1 and September 1, 2025, importers can submit an application to be considered for the program which begins October 1. The current FY 2025 VQIP user fee is $9,999.
To provide more context, VQIP expedites the review and import entry of human and animal foods into the U.S. for importers who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains. By participating, importers can avoid unexpected delays at the point of import entry. However, the program is not automatic or free; importers must apply, meet specific criteria, and pay an annual fee. With FDA’s updated guidance that was published in November, the program has become even more attractive for participants. Following are the current benefits of VQIP, including those in the update.
For VQIP participants, FDA expedites import entry into the U.S. for all foods included in the approved application, using its PREDICT import screening tool to recognize shipments of food that are part of an approved VQIP application. In most cases, the screening allows immediate release of the shipment.
While examination and sampling are sometimes needed for public health reasons, FDA will limit these for VQIP food entries to “for cause” situations (i.e., investigation of an outbreak or illness); to obtain statistically necessary risk-based microbiological samples; or, in a small percentage of cases, to verify that products declared in a VQIP entry are consistent with those in the application. When sampling is needed, FDA will attempt, to the extent possible, to do so at the VQIP food destination or other location preferred by the VQIP importer, and the processing will be prioritized. If import entry is denied, FDA will assist in fulfilling an importer’s request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to export the refused products from the port preferred by the importer.
One significant update included in the new guidance is the ability for participants to add new foreign suppliers and foods to their existing program throughout the fiscal year, rather than only at the time of renewal. FDA also has a dedicated Help Desk ([email protected] or 1-301-796-8745) for VQIP participant questions and concerns.
Being part of VQIP brings value to importers to the US, and if this explanation has interested you, but you’d like a bit of assistance, give us a call. TAG Canada can help with your application and all your import/export activities.
