2008 Contest

• Live from the Contest
• Complete Entry Kit (pdf)
• Contest Brochure (pdf)
  • Deutsche
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• Contest News
• Contest Classes
• Contest Rules
• Entry and Shipping Information
• Information for International Entrants
• Entering On-line
• Secret Tips
• Past Contest Results
• Volunteer Sign Up (pdf)

Information for International Entrants

• Clearing Customs
• Registration & Prior Notice
• Food Facility Registration
• Prior Notice of Shipment
• Accessing the Prior Notice System Interface
• Country Contacts

Clearing Customs

International entries for the 2008 World Championship Cheese Contest must clear through United States Customs.

Your company may work with a national dairy export corporation or through a United States customs broker.

We suggest that companies without the assistance of an export corporation or a U.S. customs broker contact Transgroup Worldwide Logistics, a transport and customs brokerage company located in the U.S. Their contact information is below:

Transgroup Worldwide Logistics
ATTN: Eugen Miu-Import Manager
1400 N. Mittel Blvd., Ste. A
Wood Dale, IL 60191 USA
Tel: 1-630-521-9801 Fax: 1-630-521-9880
Email: Eugenm.ord@transgroup.com

Without exception, all duty payments and clearance fees must be paid prior to the delivery of goods to the contest. Listed below are suggestions you may find helpful when preparing to ship your cheese to the contest.

1. If your country is listed below, contact the agency to learn more. They may have specific information for you about procedures, documentation and shipping.
2. U.S. Customs will need the following documents in order to release your cargo:
   • Commercial invoice - listing types of cheese and value for each individual item.
   • Packing list - listing gross and net weight of each item shipped.
   • Health certificate - issued by specific country government agency responsible for food exports.
   • United States Food and Drug Administration Prior Notice Requirement.
3. Mark product as "SAMPLES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL VALUE".
4. Under 'Value for Customs Purposes Only' indicate a small value amount.
5. Some countries require additional documentation when exporting products; check with your government, broker, dairy association or transporting company to learn what documentation is required for your country.
6. Some countries have exporting quotas for sample products; check with your government, broker, dairy association or transporting company to learn if there are quotas for the product you will be shipping.
7. If cooling packs will be used, use liquid cooling packs rather than dry ice; most transporting companies will not accept packages containing dry ice.
8. Choose a courier with the shortest transit time.
9. Ship your products to arrive prior to the shipping deadline of March 5, 2008.
10. Discover and read the "Secret Tips for Winning a Gold Medal" inside this kit. For further assistance in entering and shipping products to the World Championship Cheese Contest, see Country Contacts below.

Registration & Prior Notice

In 2002, the United States Congress passed the Bioterrorism Act. This Act, effective January 1, 2004 includes two requirements for foods (including contest entries) imported into the United States. These two requirements are Food Facility Registration and Prior Notice of Shipment.

Please Note: These requirements were initiated in 2004 and your company may have completed the Food Facility Registration. Also, your broker or import/export partner likely routinely executes the Prior Notice requirement. The instructions below apply only to companies that have not met these requirements to date.

Food Facility Registration

If your company imports cheese or butter to the United States, you may have already fulfilled this requirement. If not, your facility is asked to visit the website for the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and register your facility.

Prior Notice of Shipment

Companies, brokers and importing firms that ship food into the United States must give the U.S. government Prior Notice of each incoming shipment. A Prior Notice is a notification to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of imported shipments of articles of food prior to their arrival in the United States. It includes information about the product, quantity, and packaging, and related facilities, such as the manufacturer, shipper, owner, and ultimate consignee.

This practice is routinely handled by import associations and brokers. Companies that do not have support from an importer or broker can directly give prior notice of shipment on the website of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Prior Notice is required on the day that air freight is shipped to the United States.

Accessing the Prior Notice System Interface

Step by step instructions to register Prior Notice of a shipment are available at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pn/pnstep.html. To give Prior Notice, log into the FDA Industry Access page and choose the blue "Login" button.

Country Contacts