21 CFR 207.69

FDA U.S. Agent for drug establishments in Mexico

A drug establishment in Mexico that exports to the United States must register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent located in the U.S. (21 CFR 207.69). In the 12 months from 2025-10 to 2026-09, FDA refused 2,427 import lines from Mexico, and 70 FDA import alerts list firms from Mexico.

FDA data for Mexico

Figures from FDA public data, retrieved 2026-10-21. Recall counts are by the recalling firm's country.

Import refusals, 2025-10 to 2026-09

Refused import lines	2,427
Refusals citing registration or listing problems	NOT LISTED-118 · 266

Most refused product industries

Code		Count
62	Human and Animal Drugs	157

Most common refusal charges

Code	Count
UNSAFE COL-11 The article appears to be, or to bear or contain a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 721(a).	795
COLOR LBLG-274 The article appears to contain an artificial coloring and it fails to bear labeling stating that fact.	791
UNAPPROVED-75 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to be a new drug within the meaning of Section 201(p) without an approved New Drug Application (NDA).	633
NO ENGLISH-324 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act in that it appears to be misbranded within the meaning of Section 403(f) of the FD&C Act in that any word,…	324
NOT LISTED-118 The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act in that it appears to be misbranded as defined in section 502(o) of the FD&C Act. Based on the information…	266

Import alerts listing Mexico firms

Import alerts that list at least one firm in Mexico: 70. Recently updated:

Import Alert 16-129: Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans
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.
Import Alert 45-06: Detention without Physical Examination of Stevia Leaves, Crude Extracts of Stevia Leaves and foods Containing Stevia Leaves and/or Stevia Extracts
Import Alert 99-05: Detention Without Physical Examination Of Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides
Import Alert 99-08: Detention without Physical Examination of Processed Human and Animal Foods for Pesticides

Recalls by Mexico firms, last 5 years

None in this period.

What the rule requires

A foreign establishment that manufactures, repacks, relabels or salvages a drug imported or offered for import into the United States must register with FDA electronically, list its drugs, and identify a U.S. Agent who lives or has a place of business in the U.S. Registration is renewed each year between October 1 and December 31.

Foreign manufacturers of finished human and animal drugs, including OTC products and hand sanitizers
Foreign API manufacturers, repackers and relabelers whose products are imported into the U.S.

Deadlines

Register within 5 calendar days after beginning operations (21 CFR 207.21)
Renew annually between October 1 and December 31 (21 CFR 207.29)
Update drug listings each June and December, or certify no changes

Steps

Get a DUNS number for the establishment
Request a labeler code if you will list products under your own name
Prepare Structured Product Labeling (SPL) files for registration and listing
Submit through FDA's Electronic Submissions Gateway or CDER Direct
The U.S. Agent is named in the registration and FDA contacts them to confirm

Common mistakes

Submitting SPL with a DUNS whose address does not match
Missing the year-end listing certification
Assuming registration or an NDC number means FDA approved the drug. It does not

How US Agent Desk helps

We serve as your U.S. Agent, prepare the registration data in your language for your company's officer to submit, confirm the designation when FDA asks, and check FDA's public records for your company every morning. Prices start at $990 per year.

Check if you need a U.S. Agent See prices

Sources

Independent private service. Not affiliated with the U.S. FDA. Not legal advice.