Locally Made Exchange sign ups - CLOSED

[Amberle3]

Wow, they sure make you jump through hoops to send anything food related into the US from out of the country now.

I was talking about the exchange with my DFi, and he said "it's too bad you can't send candies or chocolates into the US anymore" because we have a great chocolate store here in town. I just checked and he's partially right - Canadians CAN send food items to the US but first we have to go to the FDA's website and fill out a Prior Notice of Imported Goods form and receive approval (supposedly instantly) to send food items into the US.

Although for some very strange reason you can send food items made at-home to the US without needing prior authorization. I would think home-made items would have a greater health risk?

 

[Pooh67_68]

Amberle3
It is a pain. This past Valentines Day I sent little Valentines with lollypops and had to fill out a customs paper for the one going to Canada, and they destroyed the envelope and lost the lollypop. Than after Easter I sent some peeps, and caramel kisses to the UK and again had to fill out a coustoms paper.

 

[Amberle3]

It's not just the customs forms - I'm used to that. It's having to get the items pre-approved by the FDA in order to send them into the US!

Actually opening an account with them was pretty easy, but now when I send a package to the US that contains food I have to get each individual food item pre-approved and then list the approval codes on the customs form.

Good to know, my best friend lives in the US and I'm going to be sending her chocolates and stuff for her birthday and christmas!

 

[Pooh67_68]

You have to have them approved by the FDA? How odd, even I didn't have to do that when I shipped out of the country, just had to fill out the customs paper. I guess the U.S. is strict on what can be shipped here.
Well it doesn't have to be a food item, how about a t-shirt or a CD of some locally famous singer/band, some trinkets, locally made crafts,etc.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I'm in PM on the way

 

[Amberle3]

It doesn't look like it's all that difficult to get approval from the FDA. It does take signing up on the website (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pn/pnoview.html) and setting up an "account". Since I haven't sent anything under the new regulations yet I can't speak from first-hand knowledge, but it doesn't look like there's any cost involved - just time.

It didn't take too long to get the account set up, and they emailed me reminder information on the account name and password.

Supposedly what happens when we send food items to the US is that if a) they're a) not listed on the customs form and b) there's no pre-approval codes listed on the form, then the parcels are supposed to be returned to sender.

I did call the FDA for info and was told that when you enter the info for approval on the site that you get an authorization code instantly, so we'll see what happens!

I knew that some new regulations came into effect around Christmas, but thought they were just for that season. Oops, guess not!

Wow, I feel so important now.
"HI, I'm Amberle and I'm registered with the FDA!"

 

[mommytotwo]

 

[Pooh67_68]

Amberle3,
Sorry I didn't post last night, but I did not get any farther than the first page as it was running slow last night.

Glad to here that is doesn't take long to get approval, but it still seems like a hassle.
Woot you are now registered with the Food and Drug Administration. Sorry could't resist

 

[grinningghost]

Put me in! PM on it's way.

 

[Pooh67_68]

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

 

[Kirby]

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Count me in!!

 

[Kirby]

JessetheCowgirl, welcome to the exchange. I sent you a PM. I need some vital information from you.

 

[kpgclark]

How many have signed up so far?

 

[Pooh67_68]

kpgclark
There were 16 when I asked, and than 4 more signed up after that so I count 20. I could be wrong though.

 

[kpgclark]

Come on folks! This is the most interesting exchange I've seen in a long time. Join up and have some fun!

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[Kirby]

There were 16 when I asked, and than 4 more signed up after that so I count 20. I could be wrong though

Nope, you're correct. We're at 20 so far. Maybe some more will join over the weekend. If not, we have a good group to go.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Originally posted by Kirby
If not, we have a good group to go.

20 is a good amount.