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For New Zealand Food Exporters

NZ Export food from New Zealand to the USA

FDA compliance, FSVP, Importer of Record (IOR) services and comprehensive US market entry support. Whether you're a New Zealand food manufacturer, exporter, trading company or brand owner, ClearPath can help you enter the US market smoothly.

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Who This Is For

Is this page right for you?

We provide specialized services for every type of client in the New Zealand food industry

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Food Manufacturers

Produce your own products and want to sell directly into the US market.

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Exporters & Trading Companies

Help New Zealand brands reach US distributor and retail channels.

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Brand Owners

Want to bring your own-brand products into the US market.

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US Importers

Need a trusted compliance partner to help manage New Zealand supplier compliance.

Import Process

Exporting to the US doesn't have to be complicated

Understand the full compliance pathway from a New Zealand facility to the US market

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New Zealand Facility
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FDA Registration
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Product Review
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Label Review
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US Importers
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FSVP
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Customs Broker
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US Entry
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Successful Import

✓ Steps ClearPath handles for you

Our Services

How ClearPath Helps

From registration to customs clearance, we're with you every step of the way

FDA Facility Registration

Register your production facility with the US FDA. Under FSMA, all foreign facilities exporting food to the US must register and renew every two years.

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FSVP Compliance

Ensure your US importer meets Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) requirements. This is the most important federal regulatory obligation for all food imported into the US.

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US Agent

Every FDA-registered facility outside the US must designate a US-based agent. ClearPath can serve as your designated US Agent, handling communications with the FDA.

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Importer of Record (IOR)

No US company? No problem. ClearPath can serve as your Importer of Record, taking on legal responsibility for dealing with CBP and the FDA, so you can start importing without first establishing a US entity.

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Food Label Review

Review labels before shipment to ensure FDA compliance. We check mandatory declarations, allergen labeling, nutrition facts formatting, net weight and country-of-origin information, helping you avoid shipment holds due to labeling issues.

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Customs & Broker Coordination

Work directly with trusted, licensed customs brokers to reduce clearance delays. We help manage CBP entry filings, ISF filings and FDA prior notice, ensuring your goods enter the US smoothly.

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Product Categories

Popular New Zealand products we help with

From dairy to frozen meat, we're familiar with every product category exported from New Zealand to the US

🍜Dairy & Cheese
🍬Lamb & Mutton
🍵Beef
🥫Manuka Honey
🥟Wine
🧂Seafood & Shellfish
🥜Kiwifruit
🍄Venison
🥫Butter & Cream
🥤Infant Formula
🥥Canned Foods
🌶Beverages
🍯Nutraceuticals
🍙Specialty Cheese
🥠Confectionery
FAQ

Common Challenges We Solve

These are the most common obstacles New Zealand exporters face entering the US market

✗No FSVP Importer
✗Goods Detained by FDA
✗Non-Compliant Labeling
✗Expired FDA Registration
✗Customs Documentation Issues
✗Importer Doesn't Understand FDA Requirements
✗No US Agent
✗Uncertain Product Classification
New Zealand-Specific Information

Special Considerations for New Zealand Exporters

New Zealand was the first country in the world to sign a Systems Recognition Arrangement with the FDA (2012), under which the FDA formally recognizes New Zealand's MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) food safety system as providing a comparable level of assurance to the US system. This can reduce the frequency of border checks and verification activity for most FDA-regulated foods and feed.

Important exception: Grade A Dairy is explicitly excluded from the Systems Recognition arrangement despite being reviewed in-depth during the assessment. If you're exporting Grade A dairy products, standard FDA registration and FSVP verification apply in full - the streamlined pathway does not cover this category.

There is no comprehensive US-New Zealand free trade agreement. Tariff treatment varies by product: New Zealand beef enters at the in-quota rate of roughly 1%, while sheepmeat currently faces a combined tariff of around 11% (a 10% additional tariff plus the ~1% MFN rate) following a 2025 Section 122 executive action. In November 2025 the US rolled back tariffs on a list of roughly 200 food products including beef, benefiting close to a quarter of New Zealand's food exports to the US by value.

Tariff and trade policy can change. This information is current as of July 2026 - please confirm current rates with USTR, CBP, or ClearPath before exporting.

Why Choose Us

Why New Zealand Exporters Choose ClearPath

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US-Based Import Compliance Expert Team
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PCQI-Certified Advisors
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Serving Exporters Worldwide
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End-to-End Import Support
Value Comparison

The Difference With & Without ClearPath

Without ClearPath With ClearPath
Need to coordinate multiple consultants✓One point of contact, fully accountable
FDA requirements unclear✓Clear step-by-step guidance
Uncertain customs process✓Coordination with professional customs brokers
Confusing FSVP requirements✓Complete compliance support
Higher risk of shipment delays✓Fully prepared for compliance
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions from New Zealand Food Exporters

Yes. Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), all foreign manufacturing facilities exporting food to the US must register with the FDA and renew registration between October 1 and December 31 of every even-numbered year. Unregistered facilities will have their goods detained upon entry.
The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) is a mandatory FSMA requirement that applies to all food imported into the US. US importers have a legal obligation to verify that their foreign suppliers (e.g., a facility in New Zealand) have implemented appropriate food safety measures. Goods without a valid FSVP risk being detained.
Yes. If you don't have your own company or importer in the US, ClearPath can serve as your Importer of Record (IOR). This means we take on legal responsibility for dealing with CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and the FDA. IOR service fees are quoted based on cargo volume and container size.
Yes. We provide FDA label compliance review covering mandatory declarations, allergen labeling, nutrition facts formatting, net weight, country-of-origin information and English-language requirements. Food labels on exports from New Zealand to the US are a common cause of shipment detentions.
Yes. We partner with licensed US customs brokers who specialize in food imports and can refer you to them. The broker is responsible for filing CBP entries and ISF filings at the US border, which is a separate service from ClearPath's compliance documentation work.
Yes. ClearPath can work directly with your facility in New Zealand to help complete FDA registration, review product documentation, and provide guidance on food safety compliance requirements. We communicate clearly in English throughout the process to ensure compliance requirements are properly understood and implemented.
Yes, provided your labeling meets FDA requirements, the manufacturing facility has completed FDA registration, and your US importer has established FSVP compliance procedures. Brand owners typically also need to designate a US Agent to handle day-to-day FDA communications.
Timelines vary by case. FDA facility registration is typically completed within 48-72 hours; FSVP plan development typically takes 2-3 weeks; label review typically returns results within 5-7 business days. If your shipment is arriving soon, contact us right away — we can expedite urgent cases.

Ready to export your products to the US?

Our team will review your products, clarify US import requirements, and provide expert guidance at every step of the process.

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Legal Disclaimer+

Legal Disclaimer:ClearPath Compliance Co. provides food safety compliance consulting and US business formation assistance. Our services do not constitute legal advice and do not establish an attorney-client relationship. Information provided is for general reference only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Clients should seek independent legal counsel for matters involving regulatory enforcement, litigation, import detention, FDA warning letters, or any other matter requiring legal representation. ClearPath Compliance Co. accepts no responsibility for decisions made based solely on information or documentation provided without independent legal review. US business formation assistance is limited to document preparation only and does not constitute legal advice. © 2026 ClearPath Compliance Co. All rights reserved.