The short answer
France exports cheese, wine and spirits, perfume and cosmetics, medicines and medical devices to the U.S. EU rules are strict, but they are not the same as FDA rules — especially for cheese, cosmetics and labels.
What French exporters should watch for
🧀 Cheese
Cheese made from unpasteurized milk must be aged at least 60 days at no less than 35°F (1.7°C). FDA has updated its import alert coverage of cheese from France in recent years, and soft and raw-milk cheeses are checked for pathogens such as Listeria — microbiological testing records matter.
🍷 Wine and spirits
Wineries and distilleries must register with FDA as food facilities and file Prior Notice. Label approval (COLA) and import permits come from TTB, not FDA.
🌸 Perfume and cosmetics
French cosmetics need MoCRA facility registration, product listing, a U.S. Agent and a U.S. adverse event contact on the label. CPNP notification and the EU Responsible Person do not count, and color additives must be FDA-approved for the use.
💊 Medicines and devices
The EU–US Mutual Recognition Agreement lets FDA rely on EU GMP inspections for human medicines, but FDA registration, NDC and listing are still required. Devices need FDA clearance — CE marking is not enough.
Common reasons French shipments are stopped
- Raw-milk cheese aged less than 60 days, or pathogens in soft cheese
- Cosmetics not registered or listed under MoCRA
- Color additives not approved by FDA
- Labeling — EU nutrition panel, metric-only net quantity
- Devices sold on CE marking alone
🏢 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
Can French raw-milk cheese be exported to the U.S.?
Yes, if it is aged at least 60 days at no less than 35°F (1.7°C), the facility is registered with FDA, and the label meets U.S. rules. Young raw-milk cheeses such as some soft cheeses cannot be sold in the U.S.
Do French perfume houses need MoCRA registration?
Yes. Perfumes are cosmetics, so the manufacturing facility must register with FDA under MoCRA, list each product, name a U.S. Agent and show a U.S. address, phone number or website on the label for adverse event reports. Fragrance ingredients can be declared as “fragrance”.
Sources
- eCFR — 21 CFR Part 133, Cheeses and related cheese products
- TTB — Public Law 107-188 (Bioterrorism Act) and FDA registration for alcohol beverage facilities
- FDA — Registration & Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products
Checked against FDA and other official sources on November 11, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.