Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 60659654 - Reminder: APHIS-Regulated Shipments Must Meet APHIS Transit Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates certain agricultural commodities. APHIS regulations apply to U.S. import shipments, but also to transit shipments (shipments transiting across the U.S. to a third country destination – entry types 62 (T&E) and 63 (I&E)). This message is to remind trade that transit shipments must meet APHIS requirements at the first U.S. port of arrival. Non-compliant shipments will be held by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture and may be refused entry.

APHIS transit requirements can be found at the following APHIS websites: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports/transit-permits-plants-plant-products (for plants and plant products) and https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/vs-permitting-assistant (for animal products).

Although the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) does not currently allow message set for entry types 62 (T&E) or 63 (I&E), APHIS requires importers and brokers to submit APHIS-required information for these shipments at the first U.S. port of arrival. Importers and brokers may submit paper documents at the first U.S. port of arrival.

APHIS transit requirement questions should be directed to the contacts listed on the above-linked webpages.