The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a two-stage enforcement of the APHIS Core message set to allow trade to adjust to the data requirements. The first stage of enforcement will commence on January 25, 2021, requiring filers to submit message set data for regulated products. During this time, APHIS will continue to maintain “warning” level Harmonized Tariff Code flagging (refer to Federal Register Notice APHIS-2017-0069). Beginning March 15, 2021, during the second and final stage, APHIS will fully enforce APHIS Core message set submission using “reject” severity flagging. The delay until March 15, 2021, is technical only; filers should start submitting APHIS Core message set data on January 25, 2021 (see previous CSMS messages 45472348 and 44840710).

APHIS provides a multitude of resources that include the APHIS ACE website, the APHIS Core Implementation Guide, and the APHIS Supplemental Trade Guide. For individual support, please contact the APHIS Core message set help desk at ACE.ITDS@usda.gov.