Online Applications for Export Lists
Launch the
FDA Industry System's
Export Listing Module (ELM)
OMB Approval Numbers: 0910-0509
OMB Expiration Dates: 07/31/2022
Download Step-by-Step Instructions (PDF: 1.5MB)
Important Information about Approval Numbers for Export Lists
All importing countries/regions with export list requirements ask FDA to provide an "approval number" to uniquely identify each facility on the list. The importing countries/regions usually require that this approval number appear on the labeling or packaging of exported products and the export certificate that accompanies each shipment. When an application is approved in the ELM, the system will send an email notification to the contact listed on the application that includes the approval number for the firm. FDA's general policy is to use the 10-digit FEI (FDA Establishment Identifier) number as the approval number on export lists; please review the sections below for information about specific export lists.
Any firm may request to be listed with a different approval number or request to change their existing approval number by uploading a letter to their ELM application that includes the firm's name, address, current approval number, and the desired approval number. Please review the approval number on the email notification from the ELM and contact the CFSAN Export Certification Team immediately if you have any concerns.
Specific Information for Shellfish Firms
For shellfish firms that appear on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL), FDA's general policy is to use shellfish certification numbers as approval numbers for the EU shellfish export list. FDA intends to use a standard format for the certification numbers assigned by state or local shellfish control authorities: the two-letter state abbreviation, hyphen, the 1-5 digit certificate number, hyphen, the two-letter activity symbol, hyphen, and the two-letter permit designation symbol (if multiple, separated by commas). The use of this standard format (ST-0001-SS-PHP) is intended to facilitate the use of existing certification numbers as the approval numbers for the EU shellfish export list. Please note that the approval number on the EU list must match the number on the product labels or tags and the number of the export certificate. Any firm may upload a letter to their ELM application if they wish to use a different approval number.
For firms that intend to export processed shellfish products and are not listed on the ICSSL, FDA's general policy is to use the 10-digit FEI (FDA Establishment Identifier) number as the approval number for the EU shellfish export list.
Specific Information for Seafood Firms
Upcoming Webinar
September 22, 2021
Demonstration of the Export Listing Module: Highlighting Best Practices for the Seafood Industry
FDA's general policy is to use the 10-digit FEI (FDA Establishment Identifier) number as the approval number for the seafood export lists. However, there are many establishments that are currently included on seafood export lists with the 7-digit CFN as the approval number. FDA no longer uses CFNs internally, but there is no need to change these approval numbers for currently-listed establishments.
When you first submit an ELM application, the ELM will automatically assign the FEI for the establishment as the approval number. If you are currently listed with another approval number, FDA will replace the automatically-assigned approval number with your current approval number. Due to name and address changes, it's not always possible for us to match up an ELM application with a currently-listed establishment, so please review the email notification from the ELM when your application is approved to confirm that we have assigned the correct approval number. If you have any questions about approval numbers, please contact CFSANExportCertification@fda.hhs.gov.
China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) has updated the facility type categories it uses to classify vessels that appear on the list of U.S. firms eligible to export seafood to China. FDA has automatically updated the Export Listing Module (ELM) applications for all currently-listed firms as described below and will include the new facility types in the next quarterly update to the list. Please review the new facility types and contact the CFSAN Export Certification Team at CFSANExportCertification@fda.hhs.gov if you have any questions.
New Facility Types for China Seafood Export List
- Fishing Vessel: A vessel that conducts only fishing and freezing or refrigerating operations. Note China’s registration and listing requirements do not apply to vessels without cold storage or processing operations. On China’s list, fishing vessels will be listed with the abbreviation “FV” in the Type column.
- The facility type for all vessels previously listed as Freezing Vessels has been automatically updated to Fishing Vessel.
- Fishing and Factory Vessel: A vessel that conducts both fishing and processing operations. On China’s list, fishing and factory vessels will be listed with the abbreviation “FFV” in the Type column.
- The facility type for all vessels previously listed as Factory Vessels has been automatically updated to Fishing and Factory Vessel.
- Transporting Vessel: A vessel that transports products from fishing vessels or fishing and factory vessels to the port but does not conduct any fishing or processing operations. On China’s list, transportation vessels will be listed with the abbreviation “TV” in the Type column.
Tips for Completing an ELM Application
When submitting an ELM application, you will be asked to identify the facility for listing in one of four ways: using the Food Facility Registration, the FEI number, the DUNS number, or the certificate number from the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL). The ELM will auto-populate your name and address for listing from FDA records based on the way that you identify the facility. Please note: Shellfish shippers must use their ICSSL number. For all other firms, the best option is to use the Food Facility Registration, which allows you to have complete control over the name and address that gets populated on your ELM application. The second-best option is to use your FEI number. If you do not know your FEI number, please contact CFSANExportCertification@fda.hhs.gov.
Using the Food Facility Registration in ELM
If you choose to identify the facility using the Food Facility Registration (FFR), the ELM will display a list of all registered food facilities associated with your FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account. If your account is only associated with one registered food facility, the system will automatically select that facility and move to the next screen.
If you represent a food facility but do not see an option in the ELM to identify the facility by the FFR, you can associate this facility with your account using the facility’s FFR number and PIN. To do this, click on the “Food Facility Registration” link from the FIS home page. Once the Food Facility Registration system opens, select “Link Registration to your Account” on the left side of the screen and enter the facility’s Food Facility Registration number and PIN. When you log back into the ELM, you should have access to this facility.
Once you have selected the facility for the application, you will be able to choose any name on the FFR as the "Name for Listing." If you do not see the name with which you would like to be listed in the dropdown, you can save your ELM application as a draft, log in to the Food Facility Registration system, add the name with which you would like to be listed in the “Alternate Trade Names” section, and then go back to the ELM to complete your application.
The ELM will pull the facility address from the FFR as the address for listing. If this address is incorrect, you can save your ELM application as a draft, log in to the Food Facility Registration system, correct the facility address, and then go back to the ELM to complete your application.
If you have any trouble completing your application or would like to submit your applicating in writing, please contact CFSANExportCertification@fda.hhs.gov.