What are the FDA compliance requirements and practical procedures for shipping alcoholic beverages to the USA?

FDA compliance for exporting alcohol to the US requires registration and a registered importer pathway. Members report the process is complex and involves multiple hurdles.

**Key requirements:** - You must register with the FDA website - You need a registered importer in the US to facilitate your shipment - A **Cola Waiver** can be obtained through a registered importer, but this is limited to sample shipments only - Full commercial shipments face stricter approval pathways

**What members have actually done:** - Several members have successfully used **MoM** (Malt of Moravia) and **Whisky Exchange** as importers/distribution partners for getting product into the US market - Sample shipments via registered importers have shown mixed success rates (members reported approximately 75% success) - Direct sample shipping without proper channels is unreliable and not recommended

**Caveats:** Members consistently characterised the FDA registration and importer system as "a nightmare" and "bit of a nightmare." The Cola Waiver route severely limits what you can ship (samples only), making it unsuitable for commercial volumes. Full commercial import requires significantly more complex compliance beyond just registration.