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Editor's note: This article was originally published on November 25, 2024, and was updated on December 25, 2024, as per the latest developments.
On January 1, 2025, the U.S. FDA will open the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal for fiscal year 2026, which will remain accessible until September 1, 2025, providing food importers ample time to apply.
On November 14, 2024, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a revised version of the Guidance for Industry: FDA's Voluntary Qualified Importer Program. The Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) allows faster review and importation of foods from importers who maintain high safety and security standards in their supply chains, which is a voluntary program that requires a fee.
According to the revised Guidance, FDA is implementing a revised inspection approach. Additionally, importers are given more flexibility in their operations. These updates came into force immediately.
Revised Inspection Approach
Through the updates made in the revised Guidance, the FDA is implementing a revised inspection approach, strategically designed to optimize the program’s efficiency by leveraging other oversight activities, which may reduce user fees.
Currently, FDA's evaluations for VQIP application are as follows:
Application Review: FDA reviews the application and relevant documents to assess VQIP eligibility.
VQIP Inspection: If accepted, FDA may conduct a VQIP inspection to verify the food product’s compliance with eligibility criteria and food safety systems.
Additional Inspections: For importers under both VQIP and FSVP/Juice or Seafood HACCP, FDA may conduct inspections to check regulatory compliance.
Labeling Review: FDA may request food labels to identify any labeling violations. Applicants need to address any deficiencies found. (Labels are not necessarily required in the VQIP application.)
Additionally, FDA will review all aspects of VQIP application in the first year and may conduct an inspection to verify the participant's eligibility. After that, the eligibility will be reevaluated at least once every three years during the participant's participation in VQIP.
Certain events, such as an outbreak or recall related to a VQIP food, the emergence of new hazards, or intelligence data indicating violations by entities listed in the application, may lead the FDA to reevaluate the participant's eligibility and conduct inspections more frequently than every three years.
New Foreign Suppliers
Participants can now easily add new foreign suppliers and foods which help them gain more benefits to their program anytime during the fiscal year. To assist participants in getting a facility certificate from an accredited certification body under the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP), FDA has extended the deadline for submitting their application and notice of intent to participate.
The FDA stats that all interested food importers can benefit from VQIP, which may include:
Streamlining importation processes to save time and resources.
Avoiding unexpected delays at the point of import.
Reducing storage costs for more efficient resource management.
Gaining recognition as a responsible importer committed to food safety and security.
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