Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 59090094 - APHIS ACE Message Set Reminders for Cargo Destined to Plant Inspection Stations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plant inspection stations (PIS) rolled out Entry Status Notifications (SO70) messages on August 7, 2023, to facilitate the inspection process and expedite goods to market. Since then, APHIS has noticed a few areas where the message sets could be improved and offers filers these reminders:

• If your commodity is destined to a Plant Inspection Station (PIS), the Government Agency Processing Code must be reported as A02 (APHIS Plant Inspection Station) to avoid delays.
• Use the correct AP0400 category code 403 (seeds for plant/for sowing) characteristic qualifier codes. The definitions of all qualifiers can be found in the ACE Appendix PGA. For seeds for sowing the three (3) characteristic qualifier codes are as follows:
  • SSL – Small Seed Lot – 50 or fewer packets in a shipment and 10 or fewer grams per a packet
  • SLL – Seed Large Lot – More than 50 packets in a shipment and/or more than 10 grams per a packet
  • SEO – Seed Embedded/Obscured – Seed that is coated, pelleted, or embedded in tape, mats, or any substrate that obscures visibility.
• Review your documents. If a permit and/or a phytosanitary certificate was issued for the product you are importing, it must be reported in the PG13/14 LPCO section of the message set.

For help with the APHIS Core Message Set filing, please visit our website, send an email to ace.itds@usda.gov, or call our help desk at 1-833-481-2102.