Kiwis helping your food and beverage organisation export to the U.S.A.
We are New Zealand’s FDA bio-security compliance experts.
With the right business guidance, your organisation can succeed. Let us help you take one step closer by navigating US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules and regulations, making it easier for you to export to the States.
At Kiwi and Associates we specialise in assisting New Zealand, Australian and Pacifica organisations export their produce to the U.S.A.
There are many ways we do this, including:
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having staff located and easily contactable in New Zealand
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giving clear explanations as we know-how with strict FDA regulations
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assisting you with critical export documentation required upon arrival of your products into the US
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providing you with registration with the FDA by meeting their strict compliance requirements.
Does my organisation need this service?
Since 9/11, the FDA in the US created new bioterrorism compliance regulations. From that time, every facility that is part of the supply chain which sells food and beverages in the USA – from the farm gate to arrival at the US border – must be registered with the FDA. This includes food and beverages originating from New Zealand, and each step in their supply chain.
Therefore, every step of the supply chain must be registered with the FDA. Supply chain organisations may include processors of your ingredients, trucking companies, packaging companies, bottlers and other relevant supply chain entities.
What about my products?
Since 9/11, the FDA in the US created new bioterrorism compliance regulations. From that time, every facility that is part of the supply chain which sells food and beverages in the USA - from the farm gate to arrival at the US border - must be registered with the FDA. This includes food and beverages originating from New Zealand, and each step in their supply chain.
Therefore, every step of the supply chain must be registered with the FDA. Supply chain organisations may include processors of your ingredients, trucking companies, packaging companies, bottlers and other relevant supply chain entities.
About Kiwi and Associates
Kiwi and Associates has provided exporting advice for over 20 years in addition to compliance assistance for non-US companies in the food and beverage industry.
FDA registration is required for all companies that manufacture, process, pack, or store food and/or beverages that may be consumed in the US. Exporters from outside US – for example New Zealand – must have a US based agent to represent them. We can do this for you, as we are a New Zealand-based company with an office in Honolulu.
We are not aligned with any particular shipping or air freight organisation, allowing you to choose your own shipping providers independent of your US exporting compliance needs.
Our history
Kiwi and Associates was formed in 2003 by Robyn Bartram, one time New Zealand’s Exporter of the Year. In visiting trade shows in the US and in her close work with NZ Trade and Enterprise, Robyn identified that there was a need to help organisations that export to navigate through the FDA red tape.
In 2009, the company structure was expanded to allow for future growth. In 2016, we further developed our business with the addition of a dedicated New Zealand-based Client Relationship Manager.
Services we offer
FDA Registration
Are you an exporter of food or beverages to the US including wine, pet food or herbal remedies? Perhaps you plan to export to the US, and need to create some excitement by sending samples over. Or you may provided services across the supply chain to a company that exports food and/or beverages to the US.
The US import regulations can be tricky to navigate. Kiwi and Associates are here to help.
We can provide registration with the FDA, including the provision of a US-based physical office through our agency arrangements in Hawaii. To export food or beverages to the US, you must be registered with the FDA and to do this, you must have a US address and agency representation.
We can prepare, submit, and receive your FDA Bioterrorism Act Food Facility Registration for a simple annual fee, with options depending on the level of service you require and when you want to pay.
Benefits
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A single point of contact in your time zone with a local number for responsive service
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Free updates on any changes to the FDA system
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Re-registration every two years, as the FDA clears their database
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Notification to you of changes in FDA requirements
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Any contacts or address updates
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Freedom to choose and change your freight company and to use multiple agents/points of contact in the U.S.A.
FDA Prior Notices
Prior Notices are required for each type of your product in every shipment of your food and beverages entering the US. Prior Notices must be electronically submitted no sooner than five days before the shipment arrives in the US and no later than eight hours prior to arrival if the goods are being sent by sea or four hours if the goods are being air freighted.
Some companies think that sending small samples in the post will not be intercepted. This is a risk, and we have had clients that have had their sample shipment destroyed because the FDA legislation states that regardless of methods of shipment, a Prior Notice is required from a registered organisation no matter the size of the shipment.
If your organisation is not registered with the FDA and you have not completed a Prior Notice and electronically sent it along with your shipment of food or beverage, then your product could be declined entry, destroyed or turned around at the US border, with the shipping company charging you.
We can undertake the prior notice management for you if you need assistance with this. One of our service offerings includes 20 of these processes per year. Reach out and we can explain how this could work for you.
Our people
Victoria Bartram
Owner, Director
Brooke McPheat
Client Relationship Manager
Catherine Aiken
Owner
Tim Bartram
Director
Useful links
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General Food & Beverage information from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
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Good resources available at the Ministry of Primary Industries
*Although these links point to authorised organisations, K+A is not responsible for the content within them.