21 CFR 1.276–1.285
FDA Prior Notice for food shipped from Spain
Food shipped from Spain to the United States needs FDA Prior Notice before it arrives: 4 hours ahead by air or courier, 8 hours by sea, and before sending by international mail (21 CFR 1.279). In 2025-10 to 2026-09, FDA refused 191 import lines from Spain (all product types). We file Prior Notice for you from $25.
Deadlines
- Air and express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): at least 4 hours before arrival
- Sea: at least 8 hours before arrival
- International mail: before sending; write the confirmation number on the CN22/CN23
- Earliest: 15 days before arrival
Samples and trade-show goods are not exempt.
FDA food import data for Spain
| Refused food import lines (2025-10 to 2026-09) | 191 |
| FDA import alerts listing Spain firms | 32 |
Most refused food categories
| Candy W/O Chocolate/Candy Specialties/Chewing Gums | 42 |
| Fishery/Seafood Products | 14 |
- Import Alert 16-39: Detention Without Physical Examination of Ready-to-Eat Seafood for Listeria monocytogenes
- Import Alert 45-02: Detention Without Physical Examination and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors.
How US Agent Desk files it
Enter your shipment in your language, approve exactly what will be filed, and we file it in FDA's Prior Notice System and email you and your courier the confirmation number. You remain responsible for the data. Not customs or legal advice.
File a Prior Notice Deadline calculator
Sources
Independent private service. Not affiliated with FDA or CBP. Not legal or customs advice.