The updates are as follows:

• Exempt Articles
  
  At this time, the FDA has expanded exemptions (or authorized enforcement discretion) to include all personal food shipments. Previously the FDA only exempted homemade foods now with this exemption, shipments that are sent person to person for non-commercial purposes no longer require a Prior Notice number.

  Examples include:

  • Food in household goods, including military, civilian, governmental agency, and diplomatic transfers;
  • Food purchased by a traveler and mailed or shipped to the traveler’s U.S. address by the traveler;
  • Gifts purchased at a commercial establishment and shipped by the purchaser, not the commercial establishment, to an individual
  • Food contained in diplomatic pouches.

This does not include shipments sent from a retailer or distributor to an individual. Such shipments still do require Prior Notice.

Samples of food for non-consumption have also been identified as exempt from PN requirements. This would include shipments clearly identified as samples destined for food manufacturers or testing labs, but would not include shipments to retailers or individuals.

• Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI)
  
  FDA plans to modify its web based Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI) to accommodate shipments sent via express couriers, such as Purolator. The changes are geared toward shippers/customers who are submitting their own PN’s.
  
  The filer will be required to supply the express courier tracking (or Air Waybill) number. The filer will no longer be required to supply the HTS number, and anticipated arrival information (port, date/time, and flight number). These changes are being made in recognition of the fact that this information is not readily available to the customer.
  
  The changes are scheduled to go into effect in by the end of the year. Additional information will be available shortly thereafter.
  
• Please note that the FDA has the sole authority to determine the scope of the covered commodities. Further details are available on the FDA website at www.fda.gov.