Washington pet food registration

Firm license
none

Per product
$90
packages ≤10 lb · biennial, due Jul 1

Tonnage
report only ($0)
semiannual, due Jul 31 / Jan 31

How to file
paper
Pay by check, money order

You sign, pay and submit We fill the forms, compute the fee and tell you where it goes.

Details

Product fee	$90 $90/product if any package is less than 10 lb (also if sold in both <10 lb and ≥10 lb); $22/product if sold only in packages of 10 lb or more / bulk. Threshold is strictly 'less than 10 lb' — a 10 lb package is large.
Product late fee	$20 per product added to the fee if renewal not received by Jul 1 (RCW 15.53.9014(8)); waived with affidavit of no distribution after expiry
Renewal window	Pre-printed renewal packet mailed by Jun 1; complete packet + fees must be received by Jul 1 (contact WSDA if not received by Jun 15)
Exempt	Raw meat pet food only if the meat is not ground or mixed with other ingredients Fully cooked/processed chews, skins, bones with acceptable substantiation of hazard control (minimally processed chews/skins/bones must register since Jul 1 2024)
Third-party filing	agent_signature: “'APPLICANT (This is the contact information for the entity that is completing this application)' ... 'GUARANTOR (This is the person responsible for the guarantees, claims, and distribution of the product(s) and whose name and principal mailing address are listed on the product label) ☐ Check if same as applicant' ... certification signed as 'SIGNATURE (Contact Name – Applicant)'; instructions: 'Applicant: Enter requested information for the entity submitting this application for registration.' — AGR 4307A (R/4/25), re-read 2026-10-08. The applicant/signer is explicitly allowed to differ from the guarantor on the label.”
Before you file	Labels must be electronic PDF (≤300 dpi), named '<No.>-<Product Name>', emailed (≤20 MB) or Drop Box link to petfood@agr.wa.gov, or on CD/USB mailed with the application Organic claims require verification from the certifying agency on request
Check payable to	Washington State Department of Agriculture
Mail to	WSDA Animal Feed Program, PO Box 42591, 1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98504-2591
Public registry	xlsx

Forms

Application for New Product Registration of Pet Food and/or Specialty Pet Food (R/4/25)fillable
WSDA Pet Food Labeling Guide (Pub 462)
Semi-Annual Commercial Feed Inspection Fee Reportfillable
Semi-Annual Commercial Feed Inspection Fee Exemption Report (use for pet food <10 lb)fillable
Semi-Annual Commercial Feed Inspection Fee Reports – Instructions
Pre-printed renewal packet (mailed to registrants by Jun 1; not downloadable)

Good to know

Registrations run on a fixed two-year cycle (Jul 1 Year 0 → Jun 30 Year 2); each registrant is locked into the even- or odd-year cycle on first registration. Products added in the last 12 months of a cycle expire at the next Jul 1.
Pet-food-only firms need no commercial feed license; they only register products.
Every registrant must file the semi-annual inspection fee report even though pet food in packages <10 lb is exempt from the fee (file the 4309A exemption report; $0 if nothing owed; zero-distribution report still required).
Same product in multiple weights = one product (labels identical except weight); different flavor, graphics, claims, species, or name = separate products.
Revised label (minor graphics / quantity statement) = same product, send revised label; any other label change = new product.
Since Jul 1 2024 minimally processed chews, skins, bones (raw/dehydrated) must be registered; fully cooked/irradiated ones stay exempt with substantiation.
Processing ~60 days; cannot distribute until the Product Registration Certificate is received (emailed).
Returned checks charged $25.
Spreadsheet export of the full registry at agr.wa.gov/lookuptypes/getpetfoodspreadsheet (includes Cancelled/Pending rows — filter on status 'Registered').

Agency

Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), Food Safety & Consumer Services, Animal Feed Program
https://agr.wa.gov/departments/animals-livestock-and-pets/animal-feed/pet-food-registration
(360) 902-1844

Sources: Pet Food Registration | WSDA · Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food | WSDA · AGR 4307A application packet (R/4/25) · Inspection Fee Reporting | WSDA · Commercial Feed General Information | WSDA · Animal Feed Forms | WSDA · RCW 15.53.9014 (via Justia) and app.leg.wa.gov RCW 15.53 · Product Look Up | WSDA · WSDA Pet Food Labeling Guide. Verified 2026-10-08. Not legal advice; confirm with the state before paying.