FDA U.S. Agent for drug establishments in United Kingdom
A drug establishment in United Kingdom 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 644 import lines from United Kingdom, and 38 FDA import alerts list firms from United Kingdom.
FDA data for United Kingdom
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 | 644 |
| Refusals citing registration or listing problems | NOT LISTED-118 · 111 |
Most refused product industries
| Code | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Human and Animal Drugs | 26 |
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). | 124 |
| TP NO PMTA-3842 This article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act because it is a tobacco product that FDA has found to be adulterated under section 902(6)(A) of the FD&C … | 116 |
| 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… | 111 |
| TP NO SE-3843 This article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act because it is a tobacco product that FDA has found to be misbranded under section 903(a)(6) of the FD&C A… | 108 |
| 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). | 99 |
Import alerts listing United Kingdom firms
Import alerts that list at least one firm in United Kingdom: 38. Recently updated:
- 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 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
- Import Alert 99-19: Detention Without Physical Examination of Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella
- Import Alert 89-04: Detention Without Physical Examination of Devices from Firms that Have not met Device Quality System Requirements
Recalls by United Kingdom firms, last 5 years
1 (Class III: 1)
Recent recall reasons:
- 2024-12 Defective Delivery System: incorrect silicone oil-free NormJect 10 mL Luer Lock Solo syringes packaged in the pack, instead of the required silicone oil-free N…
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.
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Independent private service. Not affiliated with the U.S. FDA. Not legal advice.