# 2026-22965: FDA Seeks Comments on Its Qualified Food Importer Program 2026-22965, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, is a Federal Register notice from Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration published 2026-11-12, effective Either electronic or written comments on the collection of information must be submitted by January 11, 2027.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-13). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22965 - As of: 2026-11-13 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-22965 - Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Voluntary Qualified Importer Program - Type: Notice - Agencies: Health and Human Services Department; Food and Drug Administration - Citation: 91 FR 72877 - Published: 2026-11-12 - Effective: Either electronic or written comments on the collection of information must be submitted by January 11, 2027. - Comments close: 2027-01-11 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-11-13 ## In one line FDA Seeks Comments on Its Qualified Food Importer Program ## Summary The FDA wants your thoughts on collecting info for its Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, which helps speed up importing safe food. Importers who join this program could get faster reviews, saving time and money. You’ve got until January 11, 2027, to share your comments and help shape the process! ## Abstract The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information collection associated with FDA's Voluntary Qualified Importer Program. ## Effects PRIA read - Faster import reviews for participating importers: benefit, medium. If you import human or animal food into the United States and join FDA's Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP), you may get expedited review and import entry so your products can move into the U.S. with greater speed and predictability. The notice says participants can avoid unexpected delays… - Mandatory user fee to join VQIP: cost, medium. To participate in VQIP you must pay a user fee that covers FDA's administration of the program. FDA will publish the applicable fee schedule for VQIP annually in the Federal Register. - Significant application and recordkeeping time burdens: cost, high. FDA estimates that the VQIP information collection creates reporting burdens totaling 1,480 hours annually and recordkeeping burdens totaling 1,280 hours annually, for a combined increase of 2,740 hours and 34 responses. Example per-activity estimates include 180 hours for an initial VQIP applicati… - Non-U.S. entities may qualify as VQIP importers: benefit, low. You can be a VQIP importer even if you are located outside the United States. The notice says persons who bring food into U.S. customs territory—including manufacturers, owners, consignees, and importers of record—may be VQIP importers if they meet eligibility criteria. - Guidance allows adding suppliers year-round and extended deadlines: benefit, low. FDA's November 2024 guidance revision clarified the Agency's approach to VQIP inspections, allowed participants to add new foreign suppliers and foods to their existing VQIP programs throughout the year, and extended the deadline for submitting a notice of intent and application. 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