The short answer
Dates are regulated by FDA for food safety and by USDA for grade. Whole dates for retail must meet USDA import grade rules, and packers must register with FDA.
What exporters should watch for
🏛️ USDA grade (Section 8e)
Dates other than those for processing must meet USDA grade, size and quality rules and be inspected before entry under Section 8 of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act.
🐛 Insects and filth
FDA sets defect action levels for insects and filth in dates. Fumigation, sorting and storage controls help shipments pass FDA sampling.
🏭 FDA registration
Date packers, paste and syrup makers register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent. Each shipment needs Prior Notice, and the U.S. importer needs an FSVP.
🏷️ Labels
Labels need the variety name if claimed (such as Medjool), U.S. Nutrition Facts, and net weight in ounces and grams. Stuffed dates must declare nuts and other allergens.
Common reasons shipments are stopped
- USDA grade or inspection missing
- Insects or filth above FDA levels
- Undeclared nuts in stuffed dates
- Unregistered packer
- No Prior Notice
🏢 No U.S. company to act as FSVP importer? Orionex offers an FSVP importer service for food and dietary supplements — from $80 per shipment, with the program and Qualified Individual included.
What you need to register — and what it costs
| Product type | FDA requirement | Orionex price |
|---|---|---|
| Food, beverages, supplements | Food facility registration + U.S. Agent, renewed every 2 years; Prior Notice for each shipment | $300/year or $450 for 2 years |
| Cosmetics | MoCRA facility registration (every 2 years) + product listing + U.S. Agent | $300/year or $450 for 2 years; listing $150/product |
| Medical devices | Establishment registration (yearly, FDA fee paid separately) + device listing; 510(k) for many Class II devices | $550/year; listing $50/device |
| Drugs (incl. OTC) | Drug establishment registration (yearly) + NDC labeler code + drug listing | $550/year; listing $350/product |
Every Orionex registration includes the U.S. Agent service, D-U-N-S number set-up where needed and a Certificate of Registration. All prices →
Tell us your product — we’ll confirm what FDA requires, in writing, by email.
Frequently asked questions
Do dates need USDA inspection to enter the U.S.?
Dates for direct consumption must meet USDA Section 8e grade and quality requirements and be inspected. Dates for processing are treated differently, so tell your importer how the dates will be used.
Do date packers need FDA registration?
Yes. Facilities that pack, process or store dates for the U.S. must register with FDA, name a U.S. Agent and file Prior Notice for each shipment.
Does date syrup need special labeling?
Date syrup needs a clear common name, an ingredient list, Nutrition Facts with added sugars rules applied correctly, and U.S. units.
Sources
- USDA AMS — Section 8e import regulations
- FDA — Food Defect Levels Handbook
- eCFR — 21 CFR Part 1 Subpart H, Registration of Food Facilities
- FDA — Import Alerts by Publish Date
Checked against FDA and other official sources on November 11, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.