Weekly Entry Filing (WEF) Data Collection

In 1996 a procedure was implemented by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowing Weekly Entry Filing for FDA products that are entered into the U.S. Customs territory from a foreign-trade zone.  This program was specifically structured for utilization in conjunction with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Estimated Weekly Entry Procedure. The FDA has organized its computer system so that once the approved information is loaded into its national computer system, approved products will automatically be approved to proceed under the Weekly Entry system without any manual FDA intervention.  Sampling and/or redelivery will not occur at entry for these imports unless there is manual FDA intervention because of a particular identified issue. 

In order to utilize the FDA Weekly Entry Filing Procedure, companies are required to submit an application to the local district FDA office. The NAFTZ FDA Task Force has developed the following automated data collection system in order to: (1) provide WEF applicants with information on FDA Product Codes that have been previously been approved for Weekly Entry Filing; and (2) provide a tracking mechanism for Weekly Entry Filing Applications.  The Weekly Entry Filing Application status spreadsheet will be shared with the FDA’s Division of Import Operations and Policy so that it and industry will have increased visibility of pending WEF Applications. 

The NAFTZ encourages members to provide the information requested on the two pages for this data collection effort.  This information will not be shared in company specific form with any members.  As indicated above, however, the WEF application status spreadsheet will be shared with FDA personnel in an effort to improve the tracking and approval time for WEF applications.  NAFTZ staff will have access to company specific data, for purposes of providing the reports to the FDA.  If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact the Chair of the NAFTZ FDA Task Force or Mr. Will Berry, the NAFTZ President.