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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture

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On Hold Shipment Information for Animal Products and Byproducts

Last Modified: Apr 30, 2021
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On Hold Shipment Information Notification Application 

Apply online:

  • ePermits - Click on Create\Renew\Amend Application and choose VS Notification of On-Hold
  • eFile - Click the Ready to Apply drop-down and choose VS 16-79 On-Hold Application (Step by step instructions)

(Processing of the On-Hold Shipment Notification application usually takes 1-5 business days).

IF AN EMERGENCY ACTION NOTICE (EAN) PPQ 523 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS SHIPMENT, PLEASE CONTACT AN AGRICULTURE QUARANTINE INSPECTION VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICER (AQI VMO Contacts). DO NOT CONTACT STRATEGY & POLICY (S&P).

IF SHIPMENTS HAVE BEEN PLACED ON HOLD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS), CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MEET USDA VS S&P AGRICULTURE IMPORT REQUIREMENTS, IT MAY BE DUE TO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING REASON(S):

  1. DOCUMENT REVIEW – Shipping documents may be under review by either the CBP Agriculture Specialist and/or the AQI VMO at the Port of Arrival. Please do not contact S&P at this time. You will be contacted by CBP or the AQI VMO if additional information is required or when document review is complete. NOTE: Any discrepancy identified on accompanying documents may result in the shipment being further detained. (AQI VMO Contacts)
  2. USDA IMPORT PERMIT (VS 16-6) Shipments may require a USDA VS import permit. Please contact S&P at 301-851-3300, option 4. *Permit application processing usually takes 2-3 weeks* (Permit Application information)
  3. VETERINARY/ZOO-SANITARY HEALTH CERTIFICATE – Shipments may require a valid ORIGINAL paper health certificate issued by the government of the exporting country. Company or Third-party issued health certificates are not acceptable for importation. Please contact S&P (1-301-851-3300 Option 4)
  4. PRODUCER/MANUFACTURER/SHIPPER STATEMENT REQUIRED – This shipment requires a statement issued by the producer/manufacturer/shipper as required by a permit or an APHIS Guideline for Importation. *Please Contact S&P (1-301-851-3300 Option 4) *
  5. DOCUMENT REVIEW BY OTHER PROGRAMS AND/OR AGENCIES – Shipments may require document review by:

___ Agricultural Select Agents Staff (301-851-3300, Option 3)
___ Center for Veterinary Biologics (515-337-6100)
___ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (800-344-9453)
___ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (301-796-0356)
___ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (800) 232-4636

CONTACTING S&P AND REQUESTING ON HOLD COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE DOES NOT GUARANTEE REMOVAL OF THE AGRICULTURE HOLD. S&P will try to work with you to try to bring the shipment into compliance, but the shipment will be subject to re-export or destruction if this is not possible. In order to have the Agriculture hold removed, you must satisfy the import requirements for both CBP and USDA.

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