UPDATE: VS Policy for the Importation of Thermally Processed, Shelf-Stable Pet Food/Chews/Treats from Canada - Effective August 27, 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services’ (VS), National Import Export Services (NIES) implemented a policy change in March 2018 for the importation of thermally processed, shelf-stable pet food/chews/treats from Canada. This policy change removed the requirement for an APHIS-VS import permit for these products, allowing shipments to be imported using only a standardized Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinary certificate (HA2828).

The March policy change also allowed a single CFIA veterinary certificate to be used for multiple certified shipments during a 30-day validity period. The first shipment would have to be imported using the original CFIA veterinary certificate. The facility would ship subsequent imports during a 30-day validity period using a copy of the original CFIA veterinary certificate. A shipment-specific Importer's Statement of Compliance must also accompany certified shipments. You may review the March policy change here.

Due to difficulties with providing an original CFIA veterinary certificate with the first shipment to cross the border, we are refining the policy, which will be effective, August 27, 2018. With this change, APHIS-VS may now accept copies of a CFIA veterinary certificate (HA2828) for all shipments once an approved Canadian facility obtains a VS Special Authorization Letter. The Canadian exporter must also maintain the original certificate and present to APHIS-VS upon request.

To obtain a VS Special Authorization Letter, the Canadian processing facility must forward a copy of their CFIA approval letter to APHIS-VS’ NIES via email. After review, NIES will issue the VS Special Authorization Letter to the Canadian facility. This VS Special Authorization Letter will detail the documents that must accompany each shipment: (1) a copy of the valid CFIA veterinary certificate, (2) Importer's Statement of Compliance, and (3) a copy of the VS Special Authorization Letter. These documents may be submitted to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as hard copies or via the Document Image System (DIS).

This change to the March 1, 2018, policy for the importation thermally processed, shelf-stable pet food/chews/treats from Canada is effective beginning August 27, 2018. The original policy and this change apply only to imports of thermally processed, shelf-stable pet food/chews/treats from Canada.

Please call NIES at (301) 851-3300, option 1, or send an email to AskNIES.Products@aphis.usda.gov with any questions about animal products and their eligibility for importation into the United States or their certification requirements.

 

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