The short answer
Cambodia exports jasmine rice, cashews, Kampot pepper, fish sauce and processed foods to the U.S. Exporters are often small, so getting registration, labels and testing right from the first shipment matters.
What Cambodian exporters should watch for
🍚 Jasmine rice
Rice mills and packers register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent. Pesticide residues must meet U.S. tolerances, and labels need Nutrition Facts and net weight in ounces and grams.
🥜 Cashews
Cashew processors register; cashews are tested for Salmonella and filth, and tree nuts must be declared as an allergen.
🌶️ Kampot pepper
Pepper and spices are tested for Salmonella (Import Alert 99-19) and filth. Test each lot and keep certificates of analysis.
🐟 Fish sauce and processed foods
Fish sauce producers register with FDA and follow seafood HACCP; histamine control is key. Labels must declare fish as a major allergen.
Common reasons Cambodian shipments are stopped
- Salmonella and filth in pepper, spices and cashews
- Histamine in fish sauce
- Pesticide residues in rice
- Labeling — Khmer-only text, undeclared allergens
- No FSVP at the U.S. importer
🏢 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 products — we’ll confirm what you need to register, in writing, by email.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kampot pepper need FDA registration?
Yes. The facility that cleans, dries, grades or packs pepper for the U.S. must register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent. Each shipment needs Prior Notice, and lots should be tested for Salmonella.
Does Cambodian fish sauce need FDA registration?
Yes. Fish sauce is a seafood product, so the producer must register with FDA, name a U.S. Agent and follow FDA’s seafood HACCP rule, with controls for histamine. The label must declare fish as an allergen.
Sources
- FDA Import Alert 99-19 — Salmonella (notes separate alerts for black pepper from India and Brazil)
- 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.