FDA Certificate to Foreign Government for Algeria

The FDA CFG in an Algerian Registration File

A Certificate to Foreign Government (CFG) is issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to show that FDA-regulated products, such as medical devices, foods, dietary supplements and cosmetics, are legally marketed in the United States and that the manufacturer is not known to be in violation of U.S. law. For Algeria, it works as the federal equivalent of a free sale certificate: Algerian regulators and importers use it to accept that a product already circulates lawfully in its country of origin.

Where Algeria uses a CFG

The most common case is medical device registration. Algeria’s National Agency for Pharmaceutical Products (ANPP) regulates pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and a registration dossier for a U.S.-made device typically includes proof of free sale in the country of origin. Food, supplement and cosmetic importers may also be asked for a CFG by the Ministry of Commerce or by the importer’s own compliance team, especially for a first import of a new product line. Requirements are set in Algeria and can change, so confirm the current dossier list with your Algerian distributor or registration agent.

A federal document: straight to the U.S. Department of State

A CFG is signed by an FDA official, so it is a federal document. It does not go to a notary or to any Secretary of State. It goes directly to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications, which issues the apostille. Notarizing a CFG, or sending it to a state office, causes a rejection and costs weeks. Since Algeria joined the Apostille Convention on July 9, 2026, the federal apostille is the only certification needed. The Algerian Embassy step is no longer required.

Getting the certificate right before it is apostilled

The FDA issues the certificate exactly as the application describes it, and the apostille cannot change a word. Before applying, check the product names and model numbers against your Algerian dossier and labeling, the manufacturer’s name and address, and the listing of each facility involved. Request enough original certificates for every product file and every Algerian distributor, because each original receives its own apostille.

CFG, COPP or certificate of exportability?

Drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients use a Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (COPP), not a CFG. Products made for export only and not sold in the U.S. use a Certificate of Exportability. All three are FDA documents and all three follow the same U.S. Department of State apostille route for Algeria.

Timing

Algerian regulators generally prefer a recently issued certificate. Apostille the CFG soon after the FDA issues it, and plan for the Department of State’s processing time, which is usually the longest step in this route.