Selling Pet Food on Amazon US: FDA, AAFCO and Approval Guide

Selling Pet Food on Amazon US: A Complete Guide from FDA Compliance to Amazon Approval

Selling pet food on Amazon US can be one of the most accessible entry points into a growing market. The U.S. pet products market is the largest in the world and continues to grow. For food manufacturers, selling pet food (pet food and treats) through Amazon US can become a highly profitable export channel when it is set up correctly.

There is one critical point, however: on Amazon, pet food is a “gated” category. Before you can start selling, you need to complete both FDA compliance and Amazon's approval process. If your label does not meet AAFCO standards or you do not have an FDA facility registration, your product may be held at U.S. customs or your Amazon listing may be removed.

In this guide, we walk through the entire process step by step, based on a real manufacturer case we have supported.

Why Is the U.S. Pet Food Market So Attractive?

The U.S. leads the world in per-capita pet spending. The premium and “natural / human-grade” segment is growing quickly; freeze-dried treats, grain-free foods and functional products in particular see strong demand among American pet owners.

Manufacturers with established meat processing and food production capabilities can have a meaningful competitive advantage in this premium segment. With the right certifications and brand positioning, a foreign manufacturer can realistically build a presence on Amazon US, provided the regulatory side is set up completely.

Case Study: A Meat Processing Manufacturer's U.S. Roadmap

One of the manufacturers we work with, a company with strong meat processing and food production capabilities, positioned three separate product lines under a single U.S. LLC to enter the U.S. market:

• Main line: Meat-based freeze-dried treats (beef liver, spleen, heart, tripe, trachea, lung; chicken, duck, salmon, anchovy), grain-free dry foods, premium wet foods and functional stick treats.
• Second line: Freeze-dried fruit products.
• Third line: An online retail / marketplace brand (focused on online retail sales of pet products).

This three-line structure is not accidental: each line represents a different product category and a different Amazon strategy. Below, we share the regulatory roadmap behind this structure.

Step 1: U.S. Company and Tax ID (LLC + EIN)

The foundation of becoming a professional seller on Amazon US is a U.S. legal entity and an EIN (Employer Identification Number). In our case, this foundation was laid by forming a U.S. LLC and obtaining an EIN from the IRS.

Selling without a U.S. company is technically possible; however, an LLC + EIN structure makes opening a bank account, registering a trademark, collecting payments and managing taxes considerably easier. That is why the roadmap always starts here.

Step 2: Trademark Registration, the Prerequisite for Amazon Brand Registry

In a competitive category like pet food, where copycats are common, selling without protecting your brand carries significant risk. To join Amazon's Brand Registry program, you need a trademark that is registered (or has a pending application) in the U.S.

In our case, the manufacturer filed three separate trademark applications with the USPTO on an ITU (Intent to Use) basis:

• Meat-based food/treat brand, Class 31 (pet food; edible pet treats)
• Freeze-dried fruit brand, Class 29 (freeze-dried fruits)
• Online retail brand, Class 35 (online retail store services / pet products)

For ITU (Intent to Use) applications, if the mark is not yet in actual use in the U.S., the applicant submits proof of use after the “Notice of Allowance.” This can be a practical route for exporters who want to secure trademark rights before launching the product on the market.

For details on the trademark side, see our U.S. Trademark Registration guide and our Amazon Brand Registry & Amazon Transparency guide.

Step 3: FDA Compliance, a Core Requirement for Pet Food

In the U.S., pet food is regulated by the FDA in a way similar to “conventional food,” so a compliance framework close to that for human food applies. The main FDA obligations to complete before bringing pet food into the U.S. are:

3.1. FDA Food Facility Registration + US Agent

The foreign facility that manufactures the product (your factory abroad) must be registered with the FDA and must designate a U.S. Agent (US Agent). Without this registration, the product may be refused entry into the U.S.

3.2. Prior Notice

Before each shipment, an electronic prior notice of the product’s arrival in the U.S. must be submitted to the FDA and CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection). This notice allows the FDA to decide whether to inspect or sample the shipment at the border.

3.3. FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program)

The importer in the U.S. (often your own LLC) is required to have an FSVP plan verifying that your supplier and product meet U.S. food safety rules. If the FDA finds the plan inadequate, it may hold the shipment even when the product itself is safe.

3.4. cGMP and Preventive Controls (HARPC)

Pet food manufacturing facilities are required to meet minimum sanitation standards (cGMP) and to apply preventive controls based on hazard analysis.

3.5. Ingredient Compliance

Every raw material you use should be an approved food additive, GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), or an acceptable ingredient defined in the AAFCO Official Publication.

3.6. A Special Case for Meat-Based Products: USDA / APHIS

This is an important point for meat-based freeze-dried treats: products of animal origin may be subject not only to FDA oversight but also to USDA oversight.

• For meat and poultry products, a Health Certificate from the country of origin and USDA FSIS documents may be requested.
• Some animal by-products may require a USDA APHIS permit / certificate to help prevent the entry of foreign animal diseases.

For this reason, the supply chain and certification for organ-based treats such as beef liver, tripe or trachea should be planned more carefully than for a standard dry kibble.

We cover USDA / APHIS oversight for products of animal origin and the VS Permit (Veterinary Services Permit) process step by step in our article Pet Food Exports to the U.S.: USDA & VS Permit.

For practical steps on the FDA side, see our FDA Registration and Certification guide and FDA Labeling and Customs Service Guide. Why manufacturers are turning to this process is covered in this article.

Step 4: AAFCO Labeling Rules

What is AAFCO? The Association of American Feed Control Officials is not a government agency; it is an association of state and federal control officials. It does not approve pet food itself, but it produces the standards that define ingredient names, nutrient profiles and label format. Because most U.S. states adopt these model rules into their own laws, compliance with AAFCO standards is required in practice.

In the U.S., pet food labels are prepared under the FDA’s federal rules and AAFCO model regulations. The key elements your label should include:

1. Product/brand name
2. Species statement (e.g. “Dog”, “Cat”, clearly on the principal display panel)
3. Net quantity, in both metric and avoirdupois (lb/oz) units, in the bottom third of the panel
4. Guaranteed Analysis, minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat; maximum crude fiber, maximum moisture
5. Ingredient list, using the correct names defined by AAFCO
6. Nutritional Adequacy Statement, where required
7. Feeding Directions
8. Name and address of the manufacturer / distributor

The entire label must be in English.

An Important Allowance for Treat Products

Freeze-dried treat products have an important advantage: AAFCO allows treat and snack products to be exempt from the full “complete and balanced” nutritional adequacy statement, as long as the words “snack” or “treat” appear clearly on the principal display panel.

By contrast, grain-free dry foods and wet foods are positioned as a primary source of nutrition, so their labels require a full “complete and balanced” statement and compliance with the relevant AAFCO nutrient profiles (for example, adult dog food at a minimum of 22% protein / 5% fat on a dry matter basis; adult cat food at a minimum of 26% protein / 9% fat).

For export, labeling and 21 CFR Part 501 compliance details on dog chews and treats, see our article Natural Dog Chews for the U.S. Market.

State Registrations

Many states require you to separately register or obtain approval for the label of each pet food product you plan to sell there. These registrations should be planned around the states where you intend to sell.

Step 5: Approval in Amazon’s “Pet Supplies” Category (Ungating)

Pet food and pet health products have been a gated category on Amazon U.S. since August 2020. Without approval, you cannot send these products to FBA warehouses or list them.

For an ungating application, Amazon typically asks for:

• Manufacturer invoices: Invoices from an authorized supplier, dated within the last 180 days, showing a purchase of at least 10 units.
• Product photos: Images that clearly show every side of the packaging and the mandatory panels, such as the ingredient list and feeding directions.
• FDA compliance documents: Documents from the FDA or other relevant agencies, depending on the product type.
• In some cases, a COA (Certificate of Analysis): A laboratory analysis report may be requested, especially for supplements or products with health claims.

Other points to watch in the listing rules:

• Labels must be in English and include the product name, manufacturer information and required warnings.
• Packaging must be original, sealed and new, with the lot number and expiration date clearly shown.
• Unsupported health claims are prohibited; claims such as “treats” or “prevents disease” without regulatory approval can lead to your listing being removed.

For a broader view of the process, our Amazon Private Label Starter Guide is a useful starting point.

Roadmap Summary

Unlike a “sell first, fix later” approach, this structure aims to set up regulatory compliance before the product launch. In a heavily regulated category like pet food, the right sequence helps minimize both customs risks and the risk of Amazon account suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is FDA approval required to sell pet food on Amazon U.S.?

The FDA does not grant individual “approval” for pet food; however, obligations such as facility registration, prior notice, FSVP and ingredient compliance are mandatory. Amazon also requests FDA compliance documents during its own ungating process.

What is AAFCO, and is it a government agency?

No. AAFCO is not a government agency; it is an association made up of regulatory officials. It does not test or approve pet food; it produces standards that define ingredients, nutrient profiles and label format. Because most states have adopted these rules into law, they are binding in practice.

Do freeze-dried meat treats need an additional permit?

Yes. For products of animal origin, a USDA FSIS health certificate and, in some cases, an APHIS permit may apply in addition to FDA requirements. This is the key point that separates meat-based treats from dry foods.

Is a “complete and balanced” statement required on treats?

No. If the principal display panel clearly states “snack” or “treat,” treats may be exempt from a full nutritional adequacy statement. For foods that serve as a primary source of nutrition, the statement is required.

Can my label be in my own language?

No. Under both AAFCO and Amazon rules, the label must be in English and include all required mandatory elements.

Selling pet food on Amazon U.S. can be a significant opportunity for food and meat processing manufacturers when set up correctly. Success, however, depends on the regulatory structure even before product quality: LLC + EIN, trademark registration, FDA compliance, AAFCO labeling and Amazon ungating.

Completing these steps in the right order and in full helps reduce both customs and Amazon account risks.

If you plan to enter the U.S. market with pet food, dietary supplements or another food product, Export Partners can support you end to end with FDA registration and certification and with U.S. trademark registration.

Related guides: Selling Dietary Supplements on Amazon US and the FDA Compliance Process · Selling Dietary Supplements in the U.S.

Last updated: October 7, 2026