The short answer
Tanzania exports cashews, Zanzibar cloves and spices, coffee, sesame and seafood to the U.S. Most raw cashews are shelled elsewhere, but Tanzanian processors and spice packers that ship to the U.S. need FDA registration.
What Tanzanian exporters should watch for
🥜 Cashews
Cashew processing plants register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent. Cashews are tested for Salmonella and filth, and tree nuts must be declared as a major allergen. If cashews are shelled in another country, that plant must register too.
🌿 Cloves and spices
Zanzibar cloves, cardamom and other spices are tested for Salmonella (Import Alert 99-19) and filth. Test each lot and store dry.
☕ Coffee
Coffee mills, roasters and export warehouses register; farms that only grow and dry their own coffee are generally exempt.
🌾 Sesame and seafood
Sesame is tested for Salmonella and must be declared as an allergen. Seafood processors follow seafood HACCP.
Common reasons Tanzanian shipments are stopped
- Salmonella and filth in cashews, cloves and sesame
- Undeclared allergens (tree nuts, sesame)
- Seafood HACCP gaps
- Facility not registered or no Prior Notice
- Labeling — no Nutrition Facts, metric-only weights
🏢 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 Zanzibar clove exporters need FDA registration?
Yes. Facilities that dry, clean, grade or pack cloves for the U.S. must register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent, and each shipment needs Prior Notice. Lots should be tested for Salmonella before shipping.
Do Tanzanian cashew processors need FDA registration?
Yes. Plants that shell, roast or pack cashews for the U.S. must register with FDA and name a U.S. Agent. Raw cashews exported for processing in another country are registered by the plant that processes them for the U.S. market.
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
- eCFR — 21 CFR Part 1 Subpart I, Prior Notice of Imported Food
Checked against FDA and other official sources on November 11, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.