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OK ALL YOU NON-TERRORIST GRANDMAS WORLDWIDE, HERE'S WHAT YOU GOTTA DO

If you want to send some healthy food to the grandkids in the US.

First you create an account with the FDA.

Then you log in, then you get a lawyer or a nephew to explain it all, then you give prior notice to the FDA via the PNSI (Prior Notice System Interface). Got that, Grandma?

And don't forget,

"...the system will automatically log you off after 30 minutes of inactivity. If you stop with a partially completed submission, none of the information will be saved, and you will need to start from the beginning when you log in again."

Yes, in postal matters,

Timing is everything.

"When must prior notice be submitted? Prior notice must be received and confirmed electronically by FDA no more than 5 days before arrival and, as specified by the mode of transportation below, no fewer than:

2 hours before arrival by land by road
4 hours before arrival by air or by land by rail
8 hours before arrival by water
The time consistent with the timeframe established for the mode of transportation for an article of food carried by or otherwise accompanying an individual if it is subject to prior notice (The food must also be accompanied by the FDA confirmation.)"

Not to mention Grandma's always-handy Comestibles Database!!

"What information must be included in the prior notice? The prior notice must be submitted electronically and contain the following information:

Identification of the submitter, including name, telephone and fax numbers, email address, and firm name and address
Identification of the transmitter (if different from the submitter), including name, telephone and fax numbers, email address, and firm name and address
Entry type and CBP identifier
The identification of the article of food, including complete FDA product code, the common or usual name or market name, the estimated quantity described from the smallest package size to the largest container, and the lot or code numbers or other identifier (if applicable)
The identification of the manufacturer
The identification of the grower, if known
The FDA Country of Production
The identification of the shipper, except for food imported by international mail
The country from which the article of food is shipped or, if the food is imported by international mail, the anticipated date of mailing and country from which the food is mailed
The anticipated arrival information (location, date, and time) or, if the food is imported by international mail, the U.S. recipient (name and address)
The identification of the importer, owner, and ultimate consignee, except for food imported by international mail or transshipped through the United States
The identification of the carrier and mode of transportation, except for food imported by international mail
Planned shipment information, except for food imported by international mail."

A piece of cake. Now you can mail your package.

But first, maybe you'd better read the Interim Final Rule, the Compliance Policy Guide and the OMB Burden Statement to get this all clear in your head.

And all you wanted to do was put some meat on that skinny grandchild!

"US Full of Skinny Grandkids," the headlines will say...