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Regulations and Assessments |
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If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedures and requirements to obtain a zoosanitary certificate for an animal product being exported, you should contact the VS Area Office covering the area from where the product will be exported (or the area in which your office is located). New Adobe Forms Beginning July 1, 2010, through October 31, 2010, (transition period), VS is transitioning to the approved fillable “Export Certificate for Animal Products” VS Form 16-4 MAR 2010, as well as introducing a new fillable continuation page “Export Certificate for Animal Products Continuation Page” VS Form 16-4A MAR 2010 for use with the VS Form 16-4. During July 1 through October 31, the new approved fillable VS Form 16-4 MAR 2010 or the VS Form 16-4 MAR 2004 version may be endorsed. However, only the MAR 2010 versions will be printed on the new VS Security Paper. These two new fillable forms are available to exporters via the below links and will only be printed on VS Security Paper. Exporters are advised that the new forms are to be submitted to the endorsing office electronically by email. Exporters should contact the endorsing office officials regarding the correct email address to use and the proper formatting of emails so that the process flows well. If submission by email is not possible, exporters should contact endorsing office officials to discuss alternatives. After October 31, APHIS will no longer endorse any VS Form 16-4 other than the Mar 2010 version. The pre-printed (multiple copy forms with carbon paper) and previous versions of VS Form 16-4 will not be endorsed. All previous versions will be obsolete and will not be endorsed. After October 31, any continuation pages to the VS Form 16-4 must be the VS Form 16-4A to be endorsed. Exporters should plan ahead to ensure all VS Form 16-4 certificates that may be reviewed after October 31 are the Mar 2010 version with any continuation pages prepared as the VS Form 16-4A. VS Security Paper Also beginning July 1, 2010, VS is transitioning to special security paper for all zoosanitary certificates issued for the export of products. This security paper will replace all other paper including bond paper and multiple copy forms with carbon paper, and will be utilized for printing the VS Form 16-4 MAR 2010, the VS Form 16-4A MAR 2010, and letterhead certificates prior to endorsement. This new VS security paper has special features that will provide trading partners additional protection against fraud. Additionally, it is designed for printing on both sides and all multiple-page certificates will be printed on both sides of the paper. Versions of the VS Form 16-4 that predate the MAR 2010 version will not be printed on VS Security Paper, and will not be endorsable after October 31, 2010. Distribution of the VS security paper is controlled allowing distribution only to APHIS Veterinary Services offices. Blank VS security paper will not be available to the public. Prior to endorsing certificates, VS officials will print all certificates including continuation pages on to security paper before endorsing. After completion of the transition period on November 1, 2010, APHIS will not endorse any zoosanitary product certificate without first printing or photocopying the certificate including all continuation pages onto security paper. There are no changes in User Fees charges associated with these new forms and procedures. VS Form 16-4 (pdf 29kb) VS Form 16-4A (pdf 25kb) Combined VS form 16-4 and VS form 16-4A - (pdf 31kb) Special instructions for exporters regarding the preparation of the new VS forms - September 2011 Prior to utilizing these forms, users should ensure Adobe Reader Version 9.0 (or above) is installed on their computer. Version 9.0 (or above) is necessary to ensure that the forms open and function optimally. Any Adobe software (Reader, Standard, or Professional) may be utilized as long as it is version 9.0 or above. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) has created the International Animal Product Export Regulations (IREGS) to provide exporters with our best understanding of importing countries requirements for certain animal-origin products. Countries may change their import requirements without notice. In all cases, the exporter has the responsibility of having their importer confirm with the Ministry of Animal Health in the importing country the import requirements prior to shipping. The exporter should obtain any required zoosanitary (animal health) product certificates prior to shipping any product. Most countries will not recognize zoosanitary certificates issued after products have shipped. The primary role of APHIS, VS in the certification of animal products for export is to provide certification about the animal health status of the region of origin of the product. If other certifications are required, APHIS, VS may not be the Agency authorized to provide the required export certificate. Federal agencies other than APHIS are also involved in providing certificates for the export of animal products. A. Dairy Products The USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the agencies primarily responsible for the certification of dairy products exported for human consumption. (APHIS, VS may provide certification in certain circumstances.) AMS can be contacted at: Dairy Standardization B. Meat and meat products; processed egg products The USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for export certification of meat and some meat products, as well as processed egg products (such as pasteurized eggs), for human consumption. Export Programs Division C. Aquaculture and fish products The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the primary agency responsible for providing certification for fish meal, fish oil, and certain other seafood products. The FDA also certifies seafood products, such as blocks of frozen fish. These agencies can be contacted as follows: Fish Meal Program Manager Office of Seafood D. Table eggs The USDA, AMS is the Agency that endorses export certificates for table eggs (for human consumption). USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service E. Honey and other Products of Apiculture for Human Consumption The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the Agency responsible for concerns regarding honey and other products of apiculture for human consumption. For more information, please contact: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Last Modified:
March 30, 2012
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