Import Alert: Pre-Shipment Approval and Destination Inspection for Calf-Only Shipments from Canada

Import Alert: Pre-Shipment Approval and Destination Inspection for Calf-Only Shipments from Canada

Issuance Date: October 21, 2021

Effective Date: October 21, 2021

Effective immediately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) is requiring confirmed pre-shipping approval for Canadian calf-only shipments. These animals are generally under the age of 21 days, are tattooed rather than branded, and are not able to unload without assistance. The change is being implemented due to the frequency of the transports and inability to unload and inspect these calves adequately in a timely manner at the port of entry.

Therefore, inspection will be deferred to the destination facility, and the following steps are required to gain pre-shipment approval:

1. Importation of Canadian-origin calves under the age of 21 day requires pre-shipment approval from the destination USDA APHIS VS Port Office.

The importer must notify VS at the port of entry at least seven days in advance of the proposed shipment, providing the address of the destination premises and the scheduled date and time of arrival. Port VS staff will verify that personnel are available to perform the inspection of the calves on the proposed date of arrival.

2. Once approved, the port VS staff will immediately notify the importer of the approval and schedule an appointment at the port for clearance.

The shipment will not be allowed entry without advance approval.

3. After clearance at entry, the port VS staff will notify the assigned District personnel that the animals are en route under seal to the destination premises for inspection, with the appropriate paperwork.

4. The VS inspector will meet the import shipment as previously scheduled at the destination location, and break seals to confirm its integrity. VS will inspect the animal export identification numbers and tattoos and finalize all paperwork, to be returned immediately to the port of entry.

Contact information for the USDA APHIS VS Service Centers can be found at the following website: Veterinary Services Port Offices - Points of Contact for Port Services.

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