If you manufacture or distribute products such as food items, cosmetics, dietary supplements, biologics, or medical devices, you may be asked to provide a Certificate of Free Sale when exporting your products abroad. Many foreign governments require proof that your product is allowed to be freely sold in the United States before they allow importation.
What Is a Certificate of Free Sale?
A Certificate of Free Sale is an official document that confirms your product is:
- Approved for sale or distribution in the United States
- Compliant with applicable U.S. regulatory standards
- Legally sold in the open U.S. market
These certificates are commonly required for:
- Customs clearance
- Distributor or reseller onboarding
- Product safety reviews
- Export registration or licensing abroad
Who Issues the Certificate?
Depending on the product type and destination country, a Certificate of Free Sale may be issued by:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- A State-level Chamber of Commerce
- Product manufacturers with required supporting documentation
Some countries require that the certificate also be:
- Notarized
- Apostilled (if traveling to a Hague Convention member country)
- Embassy legalized (if traveling to a non-Hague country)
We handle all of this for you.
Why Do You Need an Apostille?
Foreign customs officials cannot directly verify U.S. government-issued documents.
An apostille confirms:
- The certificate is authentic
- The official signature and seal are valid
- The document is legally recognized abroad
If your destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, we will complete full embassy/consulate legalization instead.
How to Apostille a Certificate of Free Sale
Step 1 — Provide the Certificate
Send us:
- The original Certificate of Free Sale, or
- A chamber-issued digital copy (if applicable)
We will tell you whether a notarized copy or certified original is required.
Step 2 — We Process the Apostille / Legalization
We determine whether your document needs:
- State-level apostille,
- U.S. Department of State authentication, or
- Embassy legalization
We handle all submissions on your behalf.
Step 3 — Receive Your Completed Apostille
Your completed apostilled certificate will be:
- Mailed to your chosen address, or
- Picked up from one of our local offices
Typical Processing Time
- Standard: 6 business days or fewer
- Rush: 3–4 business days (when available)
Why Choose Travel Visa Pro?
- Apostille services in all 50 states
- Embassy legalization for non-Hague countries
- No visits to government offices required
- Rush processing for urgent shipments
- Translation services available for foreign regulatory agencies
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the original certificate or can I send a copy?
Some countries accept scanned certificates; others require notarized originals. We will confirm the correct format for your specific destination.
Can you help if my products are FDA-regulated?
Yes — we handle FDA-issued Certificates of Free Sale daily and process apostilles through the correct government channels.
What if the importing country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
We will perform full embassy/consular legalization, ensuring compliance for your shipment.
Begin Your Apostille Request
No waiting rooms. No state office confusion. No delays.