Sauces & seasonings export rules: United States

Rules to check before you export sauces & seasonings to the United States (4), each with its official source.

Official sources checked between 2026-10-09 and 2026-10-15

Duty and FTAs: Even at the KORUS FTA 0% rate (with proof of origin), a Section 301 duty since 24 Jul 2026 makes most Korean goods 12.5% in total (higher rates stay; some exemptions). hts.usitc.gov, checked 2026-10-14

This is not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change, so confirm with the official source and a local authority, your importer or an expert before you sell.

• Main rule for sauces & seasonings: FDA food facility registration for your factory, with a US agent (renew October to December of even years); Prior Notice before each shipment arrives, usually filed by the importer or its customs broker; the US importer must verify you as a foreign supplier under FSVP (expect a supplier questionnaire and records); a US-format nutrition and allergen label, yours to prepare (sesame is a major allergen). fda.gov, checked 2026-10-09, fda.gov, checked 2026-10-09, fda.gov, checked 2026-10-09
• US food facility registration renewal: Every factory that makes, packs or stores food for the US must be registered with FDA and renew the registration in each even-numbered year (2026, 2028 …) between 1 October and 31 December, with your DUNS number as the facility identifier and your US agent. A registration that is not renewed expires, and food from a foreign facility without a valid registration is held at the US port. Your company does it · ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• US Prior Notice for samples too: US Prior Notice covers food samples a business sends, including quality-control samples, not only orders (21 CFR 1.277). For courier samples by air the notice must be confirmed at least 4 hours before arrival; for international mail, file it before posting and write the PN confirmation number on the CN22 or CN23 form. Anyone who knows the shipment details may file it, so you can file for your own samples on FDA’s Prior Notice System Interface; without it the samples are refused and held at the port. Your company does it · ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• California Prop 65 warning for seaweed: Seaweed can contain lead and cadmium, both on California’s Proposition 65 list. A product sold in California needs a clear and reasonable warning unless the daily exposure stays at or below the safe harbor levels (lead 0.5 µg, cadmium 4.1 µg a day). Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are exempt, but US importers and retailers usually are not, so expect them to ask for heavy-metal test results per serving or a warning label before they list it. Done with your importer · oehha.ca.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• Applies to every product here: No US de minimis for direct parcels
• Applies to every product here: US country of origin marking (19 CFR 134)
• Open the checklist
• Work out the export price
• Same country, other products: Cosmetics
• Same country, other products: Instant noodles & pasta
• Same country, other products: Food supplements & preparations
• Same country, other products: Spirits (incl. soju)
• Same country, other products: Toys
• Same country, other products: Furniture
• Same country, other products: Pet food & feed
• Same country, other products: Medical devices
• Sources: fda.gov, checked 2026-10-09
• Sources: fda.gov, checked 2026-10-09
• Sources: fda.gov, checked 2026-10-09
• Sources: ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: ecfr.gov, checked 2026-10-15
• Sources: oehha.ca.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: hts.usitc.gov, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: federalregister.gov, checked 2026-10-14

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