DUNS, UFI and FEI Numbers for FDA Registration

FDA uses three facility identifiers. A DUNS number, issued by Dun & Bradstreet, is FDA's accepted Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) for food facility registration and is required for drug establishment registration. An FEI number is FDA's own internal identifier, assigned to firms FDA inspects or receives imports from. Address details must match across all three.

Which program needs what

Food facilities: a UFI is required at registration and renewal; FDA recognizes the DUNS number as the UFI
Drug establishments: a DUNS number is required in the SPL registration
Device establishments: FDA assigns an FEI/registration number; DUNS is not required for registration
Cosmetic facilities: an FEI number is used in Cosmetics Direct

Common problems

DUNS record with an old or abbreviated address, so FDA cannot verify the UFI
Several FEI numbers for the same site, from different import entries
Using a parent company DUNS instead of the facility's own

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed October 21, 2026.