FDA’s Import Review Process: Cleaner Submissions, Fewer Holds, Faster Release - April 22, 2026

Join FCBF for a practical, FDA-led webinar featuring FDA Consumer Safety Officer and Import Specialist Sheirly Reyes and FDA Compliance Officer Joann Walters (Division of Southeast Imports). Drawing from their day-to-day work reviewing FDA-regulated entries and making admissibility decisions, our speakers will explain how FDA evaluates import submissions, what most commonly triggers holds and follow-up requests, and what helps resolve holds efficiently. The session will focus on improving submission accuracy—including Affirmations of Compliance (AOCs), Product Codes, FSVP inspection readiness, and the proper use of exception codes—so brokers, forwarders, importers, and compliance teams can reduce delays and keep freight moving. Live Q&A included.

In this webinar, presenters will discuss:

Meet the Experts: 

Sheirly Reyes

FDA Consumer Safety Officer and Import Specialist

Sheirly Reyes, is an FDA Consumer Safety Officer (CSO) and Import Specialist based out of the Division of Southeast Import Branch in Florida with more than 16 years of experience. Along with a team of FDA Officers, she ensures that food and medical products entering the US meet strict safety standards for human and animal consumption by enforcing rigorous policies, fostering partnerships, and introducing innovative approaches to uphold the FDA's oversight. 

Beyond her role as an Import Specialist, Officer Reyes is an active Course Advisory Groups member and trainer for multiple Import centered classes that include commodities such as human/animal foods, seafood, drugs, and devices. These groups play a vital role in developing and implementing nationwide training programs for FDA staff. Through her unwavering dedication and exemplary leadership, Officer Reyes exemplifies the FDA's mission to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Americans. 

Joann Walters

Compliance Officer with the Division of Southeast Imports

Joann Walters holds an Associate’s degree in Nursing from Miami-Dade Community College. She began her federal career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she served as an Agricultural Commodities Grader and later as an Inspector-in-Charge at a major Florida food processing facility. She joined the FDA in 2002 as a Consumer Safety Officer, conducting inspections and investigations across all FDA-regulated commodities, including FSVP and Seafood HACCP. Since 2021, she has served as a Compliance Officer with the Division of Southeast Imports, making final admissibility decisions for a wide range of FDA-regulated products. She also serves as a Seafood HACCP instructor, training investigators seeking certification.

Free for FCBF Members

CE Credit Pending