Environmental Health

Frequently Asked Questions


SUBMISSION AND REVIEW

Can you help me choose which export documents I need?

No. Communicate with the importing country to determine documentation required for that country's customs.

 

May I pick up/drop off my request in person?

No. This office is closed to the public. Submit all requests by email. All completed requests are shipped using the return shipping label provided by the applicant.

 

What is the status of my application?

After you receive the automated confirmation of receipt email, the Export Documents Project will commence processing and review of your application. The processing and review takes ten (10) working business days, excluding state holidays. At the conclusion of the 10 working business days, if the application successfully passes review standards, the finished certificates are shipped using the return shipping label you provided. Allow an additional 24 hours for pickup by the courier. Keep and utilize the tracking number for the return shipping label to track the delivery of your finished certificates. You assume responsibility for the return shipment: the Export Documents Project is not responsible for lost or misdelivered packages.

 

I need my certificates faster. Can you prioritize/expedite my application?

No, we do not offer expedited processing.

 

My products have arrived at the importing country’s port. Can you expedite the request so that I can avoid fees?

No, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that export documents are requested in a timely manner to avoid fees. It is standard to have the required documentation before exporting your products. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is not liable for fees accrued while adhering to the 10-business day processing time and will not expedite any requests.

 

I need additional certificates that are exactly like certificates I previously received. Can you send me copies?

No. To obtain additional export documents, apply for new documents and pay the appropriate fees.

 

Am I required to maintain a current export document at all times?

Export documents are not required by NJDOH. You are required to maintain a current license/registration at all times.

 

May I renew an existing export document?

No, export documents are not renewable. To obtain new export documents, apply for the updated certificate and pay the appropriate fees.

 

Do export documents have an expiration date?

Yes. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificates expire three years after the date of notary signature. All other export documents expire one year after the date of notary signature.

 

Will the document's expiration date be displayed?

An expiration date may be included by request. If you require the document to display an expiration date, include this statement with your product list on the F-12 application form. GMP Certificates display the expiration date by default.

 

Can I pay for my export documents online?

Yes, export documents may be paid for online.

If you are submitting your application by mail or courier: In lieu of a check or money order, print and include a copy of the payment confirmation page or payment receipt with your mailed request to serve as proof of payment.

If you are submitting your application via email: Online payment is required. Include a copy of the payment confirmation page or payment receipt in the pdf application package.

If the payment confirmation page or payment receipt is not included with your application, the request will be considered missing payment and will be returned to the applicant.

 

Am I supposed to fill in all the blanks on the actual Certificate of Free Sale template?

Yes, all fields are required to be completed with the appropriate company information.

 

What Name of Applicant should be on the application? Is this the name of the CEO of the company or the name of our brand?

The Name of Applicant field should reflect the name of the licensed and inspected manufacturing company.

 

We are applying for multiple export documents. Should we include a separate check for each certificate or one check for the entire amount?

You may apply for multiple export documents on one application with a single check if the certificates are all requested under the same license number. If multiple certificates are requested across multiple separate license numbers, include a separate check for each separate license number. Be sure to include the appropriate fee with each application.

 

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QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

What is an inspection date? 

An inspection date refers to the most recent date NJDOH or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed a full inspection of the New Jersey warehouse or manufacturing facility where the products for export are stored or manufactured.

 

May I use an old inspection date?

No. Only the most recent date of inspection is accepted.

 

Do I need an inspection date to receive an export document?

Yes.

 

Can you tell me the most recent inspection date?

Utilize the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) online process to request copies of public records.

 

Is a sanitary inspection required for the company owner or for our co-packer?

The sanitary inspection is required for the New Jersey facility that acts as the manufacturer or warehouse for your product. If your co-packer is the manufacturer, the co-packer facility must pass a sanitary inspection by NJDOH or FDA.

 

Does the New Jersey warehouse or manufacturing facility have to have a current license/registration with NJDOH?

Yes. All issued export documents certify that a facility holds a license that is current and in good standing.

 

Can you tell me the New Jersey warehouse or manufacturing facility's license number?

Utilize the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) online process to request copies of public records.

 

My company has multiple license numbers/addresses. Which license number should I use when applying? 

Each wholesale food-cosmetic license number is tied to an operating location. The license number you list on your application must correspond with the location where the products for export are physically present. Your NJDOH license number is found on your Wholesale Food and Cosmetic license.

 

My product does not fall into the category of food, drugs, medical devices, or cosmetics. May I apply for an export document from your office? 

No. Check the International Trade Administration's website to find an appropriate document and issuing agency for your product.

 

My business is licensed and inspected by NJDOH but my products for export are not food, drugs, or cosmetics. May I apply for an export document from your office?

No. Check the International Trade Administration's website to find an appropriate document and issuing agency for your product.

 

Some of the products for export are food, drugs, or cosmetics, but other products on the same list do not fall into these categories. May I include these non-regulated products in my certificate with your office?

No. Check the International Trade Administration's website to find an appropriate document and issuing agency for your product.

 

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REJECTIONS, LOSSES, AND ERRORS

How and when will you notify me if my application is rejected?

At the end of application processing and review, you will be notified of any rejections as an email response to your electronic submission.

 

My application was rejected and I'm submitting a new application. Will you prioritize/expedite my revised application?

No. This office does not offer expedited service.

 

After I received my completed certificates, I noticed that I made an error on my original submission. May I request a revised copy?

No. This office does not offer free alterations. Submit a new application request and payment.

 

The Export Documents Project made an error on a finished certificate that I received. What should I do?

Send an email to cfs@doh.nj.gov and attach a copy of the certificate that contains the error.

 

An incorrect address was listed on my finished certificate. May I request a correction?

No. The address displayed on the final certificate is the address associated with the active license number submitted by the applicant. Ensure that the correct license number is submitted.

 

I applied using the incorrect license number. Will my request be rejected?

An incorrect license number may result in rejection. If you discover an error in your submission before the review process is finished, reply to your confirmation email to provide a corrected application form.

 

The Export Documents Project used the shipping label that I provided to send back completed certificates. The package was lost in transit, the tracking is stuck at "pending," or another problem has prevented delivery. What should I do?

The applicant is responsible for providing tracked, secure shipping of completed certificates, and for ensuring those packages are delivered safely to the correct destination. Upon courier pickup of the outgoing package, the applicant assumes responsibility for the completed certificates. This office is not responsible for lost, delayed, damaged, or misdelivered packages.

 

My finished certificates were lost in the mail and I never received them. Will you replace them for free?

No. Upon courier pickup of finished certificates, the applicant assumes responsibility for the package. This office is not responsible for lost, delayed, damaged, or misdelivered packages. Submit a new, complete application package, which will undergo the full application review. Expedited processing is not available.

 

My certificate request was rejected. Can I request a refund?

No. The application fee pays for the processing and professional review of your request. The application fee is not refundable.

 

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Last Reviewed: 1/25/2024