USDA APHIS Allows Electronic Copies of Veterinary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates Due to COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has extended the interim guidance for the electronic submission of veterinary health certificates, phytosanitary certificates, and PPQ 203 forms for shipment clearance due to COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance is now effective through July 18, 2020.

Please view APHIS’s message regarding phytosanitary certificates and PPQ 203 forms here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/2836954

Please view APHIS’s message regarding veterinary certificates for animal products and byproducts here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/28af3d1
Electronic copies of veterinary certificates for animal products and byproducts should be submitted in ACE-DIS. Trade entities are required to provide a reason for submission via DIS in the comments field, as part of the DIS submission email body, or as an additional statement included with document uploads. This reason should address the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to provide the original signed veterinary certificate.

Visit https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus for more information regarding USDA Coronavirus FAQs and guidance.