U.S. Pet Food Exports: USDA VS Permit (VS-16), FDA Registration and Customs

Exporting pet food to the U.S. means entering one of the world's most tightly regulated markets for imports of animal-origin products. Dog and cat food, chews and treats fall under two agencies in the U.S.: FDA for facility registration and labeling, and USDA's APHIS for animal health and biosecurity. The permit issued by the second agency is commonly called the "VS Permit" or, by its form number, the "VS-16 permit."

For pet food, we handle the permit, FDA registration and customs steps as a single package: USDA and APHIS permit service.

The U.S. is the world's largest pet food market, and demand keeps growing each year, so there is a real opportunity for manufacturers. Entering this market, however, requires a permit and registration process that runs alongside production. In this article we walk through, step by step, USDA facility registration, the VS Permit application (Form VS 16-3), the FDA side, customs and labeling for pet food, supplements and cosmetics containing animal protein, and hide- and bone-based materials.

Key Requirements for Exporting Pet Food to the U.S.

A company that wants to ship dog food, cat food, chews or treats faces four separate requirements. None replaces another; all four are completed together:

• FDA facility registration and US Agent: The production facility is registered in the FDA system, and a U.S. representative is appointed as FDA's point of contact. FDA regulates pet food much like food. For details, see our FDA registration and certification page.
• USDA APHIS VS Permit (VS-16): An import permit for every product containing animal-origin ingredients, issued per product and country-of-origin combination. This is the main topic of this article.
• Customs bond and importer registration: Commercial entries into U.S. customs require a customs bond and an Importer of Record (IOR).
• Label and ingredient compliance: The ingredient list, nutritional information and claims are built to FDA and AAFCO standards.

What Is USDA and Why Does It Matter for Pet Food Exports?

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture. APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), which operates under it, oversees the biosecurity of all animal and plant products entering the country.

USDA's core responsibilities:

• Ensuring that products entering the U.S. do not carry animal or plant disease risks
• Documenting that imported products were produced under appropriate conditions in the country of origin
• Facilitating exports by manufacturers with the proper certification
• Preventing animal welfare and zoonotic disease (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) risks

So if a product shipped to the U.S. contains meat, milk, egg, gelatin, collagen, animal protein, hide, bone, pet food or any component of these, USDA / VS Permit approval is required in addition to FDA registration.

What Is a VS Permit (VS-16 Permit)?

A VS Permit (Veterinary Services Import Permit) is the official permit that manufacturers or importers need to ship animal-origin products to the U.S. It is issued by USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services, and the application is filed with Form VS 16-3; the term "VS-16 permit" comes from this form number. The permit approves the entry of specific product groups into the U.S. from an animal health standpoint.

Which products need it, and which do not?

The final decision depends on the combination of product and origin; APHIS’s VS Permitting Assistant tool shows which products are subject to a permit. The result from this tool is added to the file before the container is loaded.

Why is it required?

These products are subject to a biosecurity protocol when imported into the U.S., because they carry the risk of bringing in animal-borne contagious diseases (foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, African swine fever). A product arriving without a VS Permit may be placed on “hold” at U.S. customs; if the file cannot be completed, a return or destruction order may follow.

USDA Registration (Facility Registration)

Every company shipping animal-derived products to the U.S. first needs to register its production facility with USDA. The process follows a logic similar to FDA facility registration, but for animal-derived products it runs under USDA oversight in addition to FDA.

USDA registration covers:

• The manufacturing facility address, contact details, product categories and process information are entered into the system.
• The origin and processing method of the raw materials used in the products are declared in detail.
• A Veterinary Health Certificate from the country of origin is provided for each product group.
• A U.S.-based representative (US Agent) is appointed to follow the applications on the U.S. side.

The registration and permit process has two stages:

1. USDA Registration (facility registration)
2. VS Permit application (product-based permit, Form VS 16-3)

Once these two steps are completed, the products become visible in the USDA system and can be verified through APHIS eFile at the time of import.

VS-16 Application Process and Documents

USDA facility registration and VS Permit applications are filed electronically. Applications are handled through APHIS eFile; the form itself is Form VS 16-3.

Required documents:

• Facility registration form (USDA Registration Form)
• Ingredient Statement: all ingredients, animal proteins, by-products, fat and vitamin components listed in detail
• Processing Description: process parameters such as heat treatment, drying and pH
• Document showing the source of animal-derived ingredients
• Veterinary Health Certificate from the country of origin
• US Agent details
• Importer / distributor details

After the application, USDA specialists review the file and may request additional documents. Processing time varies with the completeness of the file and the product group; in practice we see cases ranging from three weeks to three months. An approved application receives its own Permit Number (example: A21585).

This number should be stated as the “USDA Import/Export License” on export documents and bill of lading paperwork.

Fees and Annual Renewal

USDA-APHIS updates its application fees every year. According to APHIS’s own fee table (page dated September 2, 2026), the current items are:

Note: The agency fee is paid directly to USDA. A permit is generally valid for one year and may be suspended if it is not renewed before it expires; the renewal date is noted in the file from the start.

U.S. Customs (CBP), Customs Bond and Duties

Once USDA permits are in place, the export process runs in coordination with CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection). At entry, CBP checks and matches the permits in the USDA system. If the product has no USDA permit or the permit number on the documents is incorrect:

• The product may be placed on “hold”
• CBP may issue a “Refused Entry” notice
• The product may be returned to the exporter or destroyed

For this reason, the label, product list and permit number should be prepared correctly for each product. On the customs side, three more topics come into play:

• Customs bond: Commercial-volume shipments cannot enter without a bond. You choose a single-entry or an annual (continuous) bond; for more than three shipments, an annual bond is usually more cost-effective. Details are in our U.S. customs bond article.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): A delivery term where all duties are paid by the shipper; Amazon and retail buyers usually ask for it.
• Duty layers: On August 29, 2025, the duty exemption for shipments under 800 USD was suspended, so low-value shipments are also subject to entry and duties. The reciprocal tariffs under IEEPA ended on February 24, 2026. Since July 24, 2026, an additional Section 301 duty of 12.5 percent applies to products of certain origins (Federal Register 2026-15181); whether it applies depends on your country of origin. Such a rate is added on top of the product’s own customs duty rate, it does not replace it. For how to set up the calculation, see our current customs duty calculation article.

Documents to have ready at shipment

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading
• USDA permit
• Veterinary certificate: shows that the product comes from a BSE-free (free of mad cow disease) or avian influenza-free source; it is issued by the veterinary authority of the country of manufacture
• FDA Prior Notice (pre-arrival notification)

On the U.S. side, the importer must also be registered as the Importer of Record (IOR). For products shipped to Amazon, Amazon does not act as the IOR; this role falls to the exporter’s own U.S. company or to the U.S. buyer.

Labeling: FDA and AAFCO Rules

In the U.S., pet food labels are subject to both FDA rules and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards. AAFCO is not a federal agency but an umbrella organization for state feed control officials; because states adopt its model regulations, label compliance is effectively mandatory.

What the label must include:

• Product name and intended species statement (such as Dog Food, Cat Treat)
• Ingredient statement, in descending order by weight and using AAFCO-defined names
• Guaranteed analysis: crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, moisture
• Net weight, in both metric and U.S. customary units
• Manufacturer name, address and country of origin statement (“Product of [country]”)
• Production date and expiration date
• USDA permit number on the shipping documents (example: A21585)

The label must be entirely in English. AAFCO details such as the “complete and balanced” claim, using “chicken” in the product name and statements on treats are covered separately in our pet food AAFCO labeling and formulation article.

Selling Pet Food on Amazon

Selling pet food in the U.S. is not limited to the distributor channel; Amazon FBA and your own e-commerce site are also options. However, pet food is a gated category on Amazon: before a listing goes live, Amazon may ask for confirmation of FDA facility registration, the VS Permit and legible photos of the label. The approval file is built from the same documents as the customs file, so preparing both together can save time. For category approval and the steps that follow, see our article on selling pet food on Amazon US.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an FDA certificate for pet food?

No, the FDA does not issue product certificates. What is required is FDA facility registration, a US Agent and compliant ingredients. The phrase “FDA approved” cannot be used on the label.

Is FDA registration enough on its own?

If the product contains animal-origin ingredients, no; a USDA VS Permit is also required. For a fully plant-based product (vegetable powder, vegetable oil), FDA registration is generally sufficient.

Can you export without a VS-16 permit?

Animal-origin products shipped without a USDA Veterinary Services permit may be held at customs; if the file cannot be completed afterward, the shipment may be ordered returned or destroyed. The permit should be obtained before shipment.

Does a supplement containing egg or milk require a VS Permit?

Yes. Products containing egg protein, whey or milk powder are considered animal-origin and require a USDA VS Permit. For plant-based supplements, FDA registration alone is sufficient.

What documents are needed to sell pet food on Amazon?

Confirmation of FDA facility registration, the VS Permit, legible photos of the label, supplier invoices and, if needed, laboratory analyses. Category approval is obtained before the listing goes live.

What is the difference between FDA and USDA?

The FDA governs facility registration, labeling and claim language; USDA APHIS issues import permits for animal-origin products from an animal health perspective. Pet food falls under both.

Why Work with a Professional Service?

USDA and VS Permit applications are a technical process. Even small errors on the forms can lead to rejection or delays. In addition, a US Agent is required on the U.S. side.

What Export Partners does for you:

• We prepare your USDA Registration and VS Permit files on your behalf.
• We serve as your US Agent for the FDA.
• We track your documents in USDA and CBP systems.
• We handle the required renewal notifications on time.

This helps your products move through the import process with fewer delays at customs.

Conclusion

The U.S. updates its rules for animal-origin imports regularly, and document checks are becoming more detailed. Manufacturers with high-quality protein sources and competitive pricing can still find room in the U.S. pet food market; with proper regulatory compliance, they can reach Amazon, distributors and pet store chains.

If you plan to export pet food, gelatin, collagen, animal protein, milk powder, hides or similar products to the U.S., planning USDA registration, the VS Permit, labeling and customs alongside production tends to save the most time. Related articles: how to obtain a USDA VS Permit, natural dog chews for the U.S. market and exporting pet supplements to the U.S..

Last updated: September 22, 2026. This guide combines two earlier articles, “FDA and VS-16 Processes in Pet Food Exports” and “Exporting Pet Food and Animal-Origin Food to the U.S.”, into a single resource.