U.S. imports of Perishable Prepared Food (NAICS 311991) totaled $32.2M in August 2026, imported from 56 countries.
Importers of Perishable Prepared Food paid $4.6M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 14.28% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Perishable Prepared Food imports of $32.2M in August 2026 ran 19% below the year-to-date monthly average of $40.0M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataShort shelf-life, ready-to-eat or minimally processed prepared foods — refrigerated entrées, fresh pasta, prepared salads, and similar items — define the NAICS 311991 segment, where cold-chain integrity and rapid port clearance are operationally critical. FDA regulates these products under FSMA's Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, with particular attention to Listeria monocytogenes controls for ready-to-eat items that receive no further kill step before consumption. Importers must file FDA Prior Notice before arrival and maintain Foreign Supplier Verification Program documentation demonstrating that foreign facilities meet US food safety standards. Given the perishable nature of these goods, delays at the port of entry due to admissibility holds can result in significant product loss.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.6K import shipments a month
FDA's FSMA Preventive Controls rule requires that importers verify foreign suppliers have implemented environmental monitoring programs and sanitation controls specifically targeting Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat production environments. For high-risk RTE products, FDA may require more frequent supplier verification activities, including on-site audits or product testing, as part of the importer's FSVP.
FDA can place imported perishable prepared foods on hold for physical examination or sampling, during which the product must be stored under appropriate temperature conditions at the importer's expense. Because holds can last several days, importers of refrigerated or short-shelf-life items should build contingency storage arrangements into their logistics planning and maintain strong compliance records to minimize the frequency of holds.
National industry 2 of 2 in naics industry 31199
National industry 311991 · $32.2M of $454.3M
Imports · August 2026
origin
South Korea and China together supply 72% of it. China pays 43.8% duty; Mexico <0.1%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census publishes state breakdowns for NAICS to the 4-digit level only. See NAICS 3119 for those.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$32.2MYoY · free account
Exports
$11.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $435.5M of Perishable Prepared Food and exported $132.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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