Which PGA applies to food imports?

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates food imports. Prior notice must be filed with FDA before food shipments arrive, and goods are subject to FDA inspection and hold.

Do PGA requirements add to the duty cost?

PGAs do not assess customs duties, but their requirements may involve separate fees (FDA user fees, EPA testing costs) and compliance expenses.

Government

What is PGA?

Partner Government Agency — federal agencies (FDA, EPA, USDA, etc.) whose regulations apply to specific imported goods. In the context of U.S. customs and tariff recovery, understanding pga is essential for navigating the CAPE refund process and ensuring accurate duty assessment.

Definition

Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) are federal agencies other than CBP whose regulations apply to specific imported goods. Major PGAs include the FDA (food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices), EPA (motor vehicles, chemicals, pesticides), USDA/APHIS (agricultural products, plants, animals), CPSC (consumer products), FCC (electronic devices), and ATF (alcohol, tobacco, firearms). When goods fall under a PGA's jurisdiction, additional documentation, testing, or approval may be required before CBP will release the shipment. ACE integrates with PGA systems to facilitate electronic filing of PGA data alongside customs entries.

How PGA Relates to Tariff Refunds

PGA requirements are separate from duty assessment and do not affect CAPE refund eligibility. However, PGA holds can delay cargo release, entry processing, and liquidation, which may indirectly affect the timing of when entries become CAPE-eligible.

Example

An importer brings in a shipment of electronic toys from China. CBP assesses duties including Section 301, but also places a PGA hold for CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) review of lead content. The CPSC hold delays cargo release by 2 weeks but does not affect the duty assessment or CAPE eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which PGA applies to food imports?: The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates food imports. Prior notice must be filed with FDA before food shipments arrive, and goods are subject to FDA inspection and hold.
Do PGA requirements add to the duty cost?: PGAs do not assess customs duties, but their requirements may involve separate fees (FDA user fees, EPA testing costs) and compliance expenses.

Legal References

19 CFR Part 12 — Special Classes of Merchandise
Safe Ports Act — Single Window Integration

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