Certificate of Free Sale for Food & Beverage Products
The American World Trade Chamber of Commerce (AWTCC) issues Certificates of Free Sale to help U.S. food and beverage companies manage international documentation. Importers, distributors, and foreign authorities often request this certificate when reviewing products for registration, distribution, or entry into a new market.
Need a Certificate of Free Sale for food or beverage products?
Why Food and Beverage Exporters Need a Certificate of Free Sale
When you export food or beverage products, you manage more than just shipping and customs documents. A foreign buyer, distributor, or regulatory authority will often ask for documentation proving you sell or distribute your products in the United States. A Chamber-issued Certificate of Free Sale satisfies this request in destinations that accept it.
You typically encounter this requirement when you:
Register products in another country
Appoint an international distributor
Respond to importer documentation requests
Enter a new overseas market
Support foreign regulatory submissions
Requirements differ by product and destination, so you must confirm the exact certificate needed before you apply.
What Does a Chamber-Issued Certificate of Free Sale Support?
A Chamber-issued Certificate of Free Sale proves you commercially sell or distribute the listed products in the United States. Foreign business partners or authorities request this documentation to process your imports, registrations, or market-entry applications.
A Chamber-issued CFS does not replace every government document you need as a food or beverage exporter. It also does not guarantee customs clearance, product registration, or regulatory acceptance in another country.
Chamber Certificate of Free Sale vs. FDA Food Export Certificate
Food exporters must verify which issuing authority the destination requires. The FDA offers several types of export certificates for food products. For conventional foods, food additives, food contact substances, and infant formula that meet applicable U.S. marketing requirements, the FDA issues a Certificate to a Foreign Government. The FDA only issues a document formally titled "Certificate of Free Sale" for dietary supplements, medical foods, and foods for special dietary use.
AWTCC provides a completely separate, Chamber-issued Certificate of Free Sale for eligible U.S. companies and products.
Before you apply, determine whether the importing authority requires:
A Chamber-issued Certificate of Free Sale
An FDA Certificate to a Foreign Government
An FDA Certificate of Free Sale (for eligible product categories)
A state-issued certificate
Another food export certificate
If an overseas buyer asks for an "FDA Certificate of Free Sale," force them to confirm the exact product category and certificate title before you submit an application.
Information You Need for a Food CFS Request
Your products, company details, and destination requirements determine what you need for a certificate of free sale request.
You typically must prepare:
Company and exporter details
Product names
Product descriptions
A complete list of products covered by the request
Information proving U.S. commercial sale or distribution
Additional product or company documentation (when authorities require it)
AWTCC carefully reviews all submitted information through our secure Chamber certification process.
How AWTCC Helps Food and Beverage Exporters
AWTCC gives U.S. businesses a structured, secure way to manage Chamber-issued export documentation.
Our Certificate of Free Sale service helps exporters:
Submit CFS requests electronically
Organize company and product information
Prepare documentation that importers or distributors request
Eliminate avoidable errors in export paperwork
Coordinate related international document needs
AWTCC also supports U.S. exporters and freight forwarders who handle food and beverage export documentation.
How the Certificate of Free Sale Process Works
1. Prepare Your Product and Company Details
Gather the business information, product list, and supporting records you need for your request.
2. Submit Your Documentation
Provide the applicable information through AWTCC's secure Certificate of Free Sale portal for Chamber review.
3. Use the Issued Certificate as Required
After AWTCC reviews your application and issues the certificate, deliver it to your importer, distributor, or destination authority as instructed.
International regulations change frequently, so always confirm current requirements before you submit your application.
Does Your Food Export Certificate Need Additional Authentication?
Some destination countries require you to authenticate a Certificate of Free Sale before you use it overseas.
Depending on the destination and document type, this process may involve an apostille, authentication, or consular legalization. AWTCC provides comprehensive apostille and document legalization services, along with detailed information about document legalization by country.
Related Certificate of Free Sale Services
AWTCC supports U.S. exporters across additional product categories that require Chamber-issued Certificates of Free Sale.
-
Certificate of Free Sale for Cosmetics & Personal Care Products
Documentation support for U.S. cosmetics and personal care businesses entering international markets.
-
Certificate of Free Sale for Dietary Supplements
Certificate support for supplement businesses responding to overseas registration, importer, or distributor requirements.
-
Certificate of Free Sale for Medical Devices
Chamber-issued documentation support for eligible medical device businesses managing international requirements.
Request a Certificate of Free Sale for Food & Beverage Products
AWTCC helps U.S. food and beverage exporters prepare Chamber-issued Certificates of Free Sale for complex international documentation needs.
Need help preparing a Certificate of Free Sale for your products?
For related export-document questions, contact AWTCC.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Not for every food category. The FDA issues a Certificate of Free Sale only for dietary supplements, medical foods, and foods for special dietary use. For conventional foods, food additives, food contact substances, and infant formula, the FDA issues a Certificate to a Foreign Government when you meet applicable requirements.
-
The FDA issues different export certificates depending on the type and regulatory status of your food product. These include the Certificate to a Foreign Government, Certificate of Exportability, and, for certain categories, a Certificate of Free Sale.
-
No. AWTCC provides a Chamber-issued Certificate of Free Sale, while the FDA issues federal export certificates under its own programs. Confirm which certificate type the importing country or customer requires.
-
U.S. manufacturers, brand owners, distributors, exporters, and other businesses need one when a foreign authority or commercial partner requests evidence proving they sell or distribute their products in the U.S.
-
No. Each importing country independently dictates its own product, customs, registration, and documentation requirements. A Certificate of Free Sale does not guarantee customs clearance or regulatory approval.