Quick answer: Check the exact product, its ingredients, country of origin, processing method and intended use before shipping any food to the USA.
List products individually
Before asking about acceptance, list every food item separately with its common name, full ingredients, country of origin, processing state (fresh, dried, smoked, canned, frozen) and approximate quantity.
Do not group items under broad categories. "Spices", "soup ingredients" and "snacks" are not specific enough for an assessment. The team and US agencies need to identify each product to advise correctly.
Check what the FDA requires
The FDA regulates all food imported into the USA. For most food shipments, the FDA requires prior notice before the goods arrive. This is a notification to the FDA describing the shipment, not an approval.
Check current FDA prior notice requirements at fda.gov and ask the team what the requirement means for your booking. The FDA can refuse or hold a shipment if prior notice was not submitted correctly.
Check agricultural and plant product requirements
Plant-based foods including dried leaves, seeds, grains, herbs and spices may also be subject to USDA APHIS requirements. These apply in addition to FDA requirements.
Check current USDA APHIS guidance for plant-based products. Both FDA and APHIS requirements can apply to the same item; one clearance does not substitute for the other.
Confirm acceptance with the team
After checking official requirements, ask the team whether the service accepts your specific product. A product that is legally importable is not automatically accepted on every shipping service.
Provide the full product description when you ask. A general category like "Nigerian seasoning" does not give the team enough information to assess acceptance.
Pack for identification and protection
Pack food items so they can be identified individually without being unwrapped or broken. Clear labelling, separated items and an accurate packing list reduce the risk of delays during inspection.
Do not mix accepted and unassessed products in the same package. If any item is held or refused, the accepted items in the same package may be affected.
Handle frozen and commercial enquiries separately
Frozen food requires cold-chain handling that not every service provides. Ask specifically whether the service supports your product from handover in Nigeria through to delivery in the USA before assuming it can travel.
Commercial food shipments for resale may require additional documentation including FDA facility registration. Ask what the commercial requirement is for your specific situation before booking.
Final check before packing
Before sealing any package, confirm that every item in it has been assessed and accepted. If the contents change, contact the team for a reassessment before handover.
Keep the acceptance confirmation and the packing list together with the shipment documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does submitting FDA prior notice mean the food is approved?
No. Prior notice is a required notification, not an approval. The FDA reviews prior notice submissions and may refuse, hold or inspect the goods on arrival. Submitting prior notice does not guarantee entry.
Can I ship homemade food to the USA?
Ask the team to assess the specific product. Homemade food does not come with manufacturer labelling or a production facility registration. Provide the full ingredients, preparation method and intended recipient, and ask whether the service accepts it before packing.
Are food gifts to family exempt from US import requirements?
No blanket exemption applies. US import requirements for food apply to shipped goods regardless of whether they are intended as gifts. Describe the goods accurately and confirm acceptance before shipping.
Discuss your shipment
Request a quote from Tianah. Provide your food item list with full ingredients, country of origin for each product, the complete US delivery address and whether the shipment is personal or commercial.