The short answer
Peru is a major supplier of fresh avocados, blueberries, grapes and asparagus to the U.S., and also exports paprika, quinoa, seafood, juices and honey. FDA lists Peruvian firms on several import alerts, from Salmonella and pesticides to seafood HACCP and honey residues.
What Peruvian exporters should watch for
🥑 Fresh produce
Farms must meet FDA’s Produce Safety Rule; packing houses that are not part of a farm must register with FDA. Fresh fruit and vegetables also need USDA APHIS entry approval. Pesticide residues must meet U.S. tolerances (Import Alerts 99-05 and 99-08).
🌶️ Paprika, chili and spices
Dried capsicum and spices are tested for Salmonella (Import Alert 99-19) and mycotoxins (23-14). Testing every lot before shipping keeps firms off the Red List.
🐟 Seafood
Peruvian seafood processors appear on FDA alerts for seafood HACCP compliance (16-120), Listeria in ready-to-eat seafood (16-39) and histamine and decomposition (16-105). A current HACCP plan and histamine controls are essential.
🧃 Juice and honey
Juice processors must follow juice HACCP (Import Alert 20-07 covers non-compliant processors). Honey is checked for unsafe drug residues (36-04).
Common reasons Peruvian shipments are stopped
- Pesticide residues on fresh produce
- Salmonella and mycotoxins in paprika and spices
- Seafood HACCP and histamine problems
- Juice HACCP not in place
- Labeling — Spanish-only labels, no Nutrition Facts
🏢 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
Do Peruvian avocado and blueberry exporters need FDA registration?
Farms are generally exempt from facility registration but must meet the Produce Safety Rule. Packing houses, coolers and processors that are not part of a farm must register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent, and each shipment needs Prior Notice. USDA APHIS rules also apply to fresh fruit.
Why is Peruvian paprika detained by FDA?
Mainly for Salmonella and mycotoxins. Firms with positive results are placed on Import Alert 99-19 (Salmonella) or 23-14 (mycotoxins), and their shipments are held until tested clean. Good drying and storage practices and testing every lot are the best protection.
Sources
- FDA — Import alerts for Peru
- 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
Checked against FDA and other official sources on November 11, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.