FDA Prior Notice filing isn't tied to a specific carrier. You can use any major carrier shipping into the USA, including UPS, Purolator, FedEx, Canada Post, and DHL.
Prior Notice is a regulatory requirement tied to the shipment's contents and timing, not to a specific transportation company. That means you have flexibility in which carrier you use, and switching carriers doesn't change your underlying obligation to file.
Carriers commonly used for Prior Notice shipments
- UPS — widely used for both commercial and direct-to-consumer cross-border shipments, with established customs brokerage processes
- Purolator — a major Canadian carrier with strong US-bound service, often used by Canadian exporters specifically
- FedEx — extensive international network with various speed and service tiers
- Canada Post — frequently used for smaller parcel and e-commerce shipments crossing into the US
- DHL — strong international and cross-border logistics network, often used for larger commercial shipments
This list isn't exhaustive. Any carrier capable of legally transporting goods across the Canada-US border, or from another country into the US, can be used in conjunction with a properly filed Prior Notice.
What the FDA needs to know about your carrier and transportation method
Your Prior Notice filing needs to specify the mode of transportation, which is one of land, air, sea, or international mail, along with relevant carrier and routing information. This matters for two reasons. First, the minimum advance filing window differs by transportation method, so the FDA needs to know which timing rule applies to your shipment. Second, having accurate carrier and routing details helps ensure the Prior Notice on file actually matches the real shipment when it arrives, which is part of what's checked at the border.
Does switching carriers require a new approach to filing?
No. If you change carriers, whether for cost, speed, or service reasons, the fundamental Prior Notice filing process doesn't change. You'll simply update the carrier and any relevant routing details in your filing to reflect whichever carrier you're actually using for that shipment. If you use a filing service like NoticeFlow, this is typically just a field you specify when submitting your invoice, regardless of which carrier you've chosen.
Does NoticeFlow support all of these carriers?
Yes. NoticeFlow supports Prior Notice filing for shipments using UPS, Purolator, FedEx, Canada Post, DHL, and other major carriers shipping into the United States. If you use Shipible for your shipping and label purchasing, Prior Notice filing happens automatically as part of that workflow, regardless of which underlying carrier you select for the shipment.
What about freight forwarders or customs brokers?
If you work with a freight forwarder or customs broker rather than booking directly with a carrier, Prior Notice still needs to be filed for the shipment, typically with the same information requirements. Some freight forwarders and brokers offer Prior Notice filing as part of their service, while others expect the shipper to handle it separately. It's worth confirming directly with your forwarder or broker whether Prior Notice is included in their service or whether you need to arrange it independently, since assuming it's handled when it isn't is a common gap that leads to shipments being held.