Import and Export

Regulated Garbage

In accordance with Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations 330.400 -330.403 and Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations 94.5, regulated garbage is not allowed to be imported, except from Canada.  Regulated garbage arriving on means of conveyances from foreign regions, other than Canada, is allowed entry under certain conditions.  Garbage arriving from Hawaii, the US territories and/or US possessions is also allowed entry under certain conditions.

Mission

USDA has charged the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Quarantine Policy, Analysis and Support (QPAS), Veterinary Regulatory Support (VRS) and PPQ Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Veterinary Medical Officers (AQI VMOs) to provide technical advice and assistance in evaluating entities, including aircraft cleaners, cartage firms, and fixed base operators, that express an interest in handling APHIS Regulated Garbage. VRS, the AQI VMOs and other PPQ personnel assist U.S. based companies that have demonstrated compliance with APHIS Regulated Garbage regulations, in obtaining compliance agreements. Compliance agreements specify allowances and prohibitions associated with handling Regulated Garbage.

VRS and the AQI VMOs also collaborate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials and other PPQ personnel to ensure appropriate and consistent handling of regulated garbage at U.S. ports of entry and elsewhere. Learn more about the the mission and background of the APHIS, PPQ, QPAS, VRS Staff.

General Information

• APHIS Authorized Disinfectants For Use When Handling APHIS Regulated Garbage
• Guidelines for Developing Standard Operating Procedures for APHIS Regulated Garbage
• Procedures for USDA Approval to Handle Regulated Garbage
• Procedures for Airports to Receive International Commercial Passenger or International Commercial Cargo Aircraft
• Procedures for Companies Requesting Approval to Transport Regulated Garbage Interstate
• Procedures for Informing APHIS of a Company Name Change
• Procedures for Purging Stores and APHIS Regulated Garbage
• PPQ, QPAS Veterinary Regulatory Support Organizational Chart (PDF; 50 Kb)
• AQI VMO Territorial Map and Contact Information
• USDA’s No Free Ride video (informational video on the handling and safeguarding of USDA Regulated Garbage) (windows media player software is needed to view this video)

Compliance Agreements for APHIS Regulated Garbage
A compliance agreement is a signed, written, legal agreement issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) personnel to facilities that have been approved by APHIS to handle regulated garbage.  A compliance agreement consists of PPQ Form 519 Compliance Agreement and all of the required addenda, including the company Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Compliance agreements (and addenda) are used to formalize agreements with caterers, garbage haulers, garbage processors, and other entities responsible for handling or processing regulated garbage. The compliance agreement indicates the facility understands the methods, conditions, and procedures necessary for compliance with APHIS regulations.

Compliance agreements covering regulated garbage handling are valid from the Date of Agreement (Box #10 on PPQ Form 519) and are in effect indefinitely unless administrative or other changes occur.  Compliance agreements must be reviewed at least once annually during a quarterly enforcement visit with the establishment.

Below are example templates for each category of APHIS regulated garbage compliance agreements.

Contact Us  
If you have any questions or require further information regarding handling Regulated Garbage, please contact VRS:

NOTE: Applicants must also contact local state, federal and Environmental Protection Agencies for their requirements to handle garbage.