The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced earlier this week that it will delay full implementation of the APHIS Core Message Set in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) until January 25, 2021. APHIS made this decision in response to stakeholder concerns about operational and economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This action gives the trade community additional time to prepare for this change.

Although filing the APHIS Core Message Set is not required at this time, APHIS strongly recommends that stakeholders begin using it before the January 25, 2021 deadline. On the APHIS website, stakeholders can view a series of informational webinars that explain the steps for using the APHIS Core Message Set in ACE. The webinars—six in all—cover a wide range of APHIS-regulated products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, animal products, miscellaneous and processed products, seeds not for planting, and plants for planting as well as a general overview of the APHIS Core message set. Click here to view the webinar series.  

For help getting started with the APHIS Core Message Set or to ask questions about submitting import data for a specific product type, please visit our website or send an email to ace.itds@usda.gov.