How to Send Us Samples and Stock

FDA Registration: Sending Samples and Shipments to the USA

Dear Wine Producers,

Since 9/11, registration legislation now exists in the US for the import of all goods which includes wine shipments, including wine samples. You need to register your company as an exporter to the US. It seems complicated, but you only need to do it once and it costs nothing! I will try and lead you through the process, step by step.

First go to http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~furls/ovffreg.html. This the official online site, the easiest way to do it. In the box which looks approximately like this, click “2.Create an Account”

Go to bottom of the Page and again click Log/Create an Account, then on the left, click Create New Account, then click the box marked “Food Facility Registration”, then click Continue, then fill in your details, name of company, address etc, creating a password etc.

Registration will require you to appoint a U.S. agent, which can be any person in the U.S and will serve as a contact for communications between the FDA and the registered facility for "both routine and emergency communications". This agent appointment is for FDA purposes only and has no contractual bind between the facility and agent. It is best to use Mike Denny of AWD (details below) as your U.S. agent, as this will also be the company storing your wines.

Please mark and address samples as follows and ensure that Mike Denny is the registered agent: For the attention of Tempe Reichardt of America Uncorked, American Wine Distributors, Pier 23 The Embarcadero, Suite 201, San Francisco, California, 94111. Phone: 415-986-7677. Fax: 415-986-4004.

Please also e-mail Tempe Reichardt with the “airway bill number” of the package(s).

Upon completion and submission of the form, your U.S. agent (Mike Denny at AWD) will be requested via e-mail to accept or decline this agent designation. Once the agent accepts his/her status, you will receive a confirmation number, which you will need to keep on file for future U.S. importation purposes. If you are not sure whether or not an affiliate facility should be registered, then we suggest registering that facility regardless as the process is simple, free, and may avoid potential import issues with FDA down the road.

America Uncorked
AMERICAN WINE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
Pier 23 - The Embarcadero, Suite 201
San Francisco, CA 94111

1. 986-7677                        Fax (415) 986-4004                www.DrinksUSA.com

SENDING WINE SAMPLES TO THE U.S

1. Securely package wine in high quality cartons that are suited to international shipping. Ensure that each bottle is labeled ‘ SAMPLES Not For Resale’
2. Contact FedEx or DHL regarding a prepaid all-inclusive service to get the wine to the US. This service generally incorporates shipping, delivery & customs clearance. You will be responsible for these costs.

The following are the directions for using some type of service like a FedEx/DHL:
a. The consignee on the airway bill & pro-forma invoice is:
                    American Wine Distributors, Inc
Pier 23-The Embarcadero, Suite 201
San Francisco, CA  94111
Phone: 415-986-7677
Fax: 415-986-4004

Importer License #: CA-I-3611
b. The pro-forma Invoice must include the following information & must be sent to Jorge Sanchez, of American Wine Distributors, Inc BEFORE the samples are shipped for his review and approval:               
1. The name of the product, vintage, alcohol content, e.g., 13.5% and type
2. The size of bottle and number of bottles in case (ex 750ML/12)
3. The value (for customs purposes only)
                 4. The name of the producer
                 5. Pro-forma must match the airway bill
                6. Supplier’s complete physical address and FDA registration number
               
c. The final destination on the airway bill and pro-forma Invoice should be your licensed wholesale or retailer. Some states have restrictions for the importation of samples so please check with us before sending the samples to see if the samples can be sent.

1. Your supplier must be registered with FDA at www.fda.gov and have a registration number before sending the samples
2. Ensure you fax a copy of the pro-forma invoice to American Wine Distributors BEFORE the shipment leaves the country and a copy of the airway bill AFTER it has left.
3. The cost charged by American Wine Distributors Inc for this service is $75.00 USD (per air waybill) plus a deposit of $50.00 USD to cover any future tax or duty bills send by the courier, if no bill is received this amount is refundable. Payment will need to be made to American Wine Distributors Inc directly, prior to the goods arriving in the U.S for which we will email a credit card form for payment.

America Uncorked ©2007