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Search

Can I get a phytosanitary certificate without an import permit?

We will review the import conditions and let you know if an import permit is essential to the certification process. There are times we can issue a certificate without reviewing an import permit even though one is required by the destination country. We will inform you of this situation, explain the possible problems you may encounter when your customer has not provided a copy of their import permit, and the options you have.

There are also countries with complex or strict import requirements. In these situations the USDA instructs us NOT to write the phytosanitary certificate until we review an import permit. In these situations we cannot issue a certificate until you present a valid import permit and any necessary English translations.

No

We will review the import conditions and let you know if an import permit is essential to the certification process. There are times we can issue a certificate without reviewing an import permit even though one is required by the destination country. We will inform you of this situation, explain the possible problems you may encounter when your customer has not provided a copy of their import permit, and the options you have.

There are also countries with complex or strict import requirements. In these situations the USDA instructs us NOT to write the phytosanitary certificate until we review an import permit. In these situations we cannot issue a certificate until you present a valid import permit and any necessary English translations.

Only if you had an official inspection completed prior to departure and within the destination country’s inspection time limits. The official inspection needs to have been completed by a state agriculture department, the USDA, or a federally licensed firm. If you are shipping grain, and a federally licensed firm did the inspection, they would have issued a form 921-2, Insects in Grain report which we would use to issue your phytosanitary certificate.

Can I get a phytosanitary certificate for a shipment already en route overseas?

Only if you had an official inspection completed prior to departure and within the destination country’s inspection time limits. The official inspection needs to have been completed by a state agriculture department, the USDA, or a federally licensed firm. If you are shipping grain, and a federally licensed firm did the inspection, they would have issued a form 921-2, Insects in Grain report which we would use to issue your phytosanitary certificate.

No

Certification is typically not possible after a shipment has left the United States.

To avoid delays, added costs, or destruction of your shipment, it is imperative that you:

  • Know your destination country and its import requirements.
  • Contact us to determine phytosanitary requirements before the shipment leaves the United States—ideally before it leaves Minnesota.

If Your Shipment Has Already Left the U.S.

Your options may be limited. However, you may consider the following:

  1. Divert the shipment to a country that does not require a phytosanitary certificate.
  2. Return the shipment to the United States for official sampling and, if eligible, reshipment.
  3. Petition the USDA to allow certification based on:
    • Your special circumstances, and
    • Retained samples from the original shipment.
  4. Allow the shipment to proceed without certification.
    This option may result in destruction of your commodity, depending on decisions made by regulatory officials at the destination.
What are my options if the shipment has left the country and an inspection was not done prior to departure?

Certification is typically not possible after a shipment has left the United States.

To avoid delays, added costs, or destruction of your shipment, it is imperative that you:

  • Know your destination country and its import requirements.
  • Contact us to determine phytosanitary requirements before the shipment leaves the United States—ideally before it leaves Minnesota.

If Your Shipment Has Already Left the U.S.

Your options may be limited. However, you may consider the following:

  1. Divert the shipment to a country that does not require a phytosanitary certificate.
  2. Return the shipment to the United States for official sampling and, if eligible, reshipment.
  3. Petition the USDA to allow certification based on:
    • Your special circumstances, and
    • Retained samples from the original shipment.
  4. Allow the shipment to proceed without certification.
    This option may result in destruction of your commodity, depending on decisions made by regulatory officials at the destination.
No

Only if you had an official inspection completed prior to departure and within the destination country’s inspection time limits. The official inspection needs to have been completed by a state agriculture department, the USDA, or a federally licensed firm. If you are shipping grain, and a federally licensed firm did the inspection, they would have issued a form 921-2, Insects in Grain report which we would use to issue your phytosanitary certificate.

Certification is typically not possible after a shipment has left the United States.

To avoid delays, added costs, or destruction of your shipment, it is imperative that you:

  • Know your destination country and its import requirements.
  • Contact us to determine phytosanitary requirements before the shipment leaves the United States—ideally before it leaves Minnesota.

If Your Shipment Has Already Left the U.S.

Your options may be limited. However, you may consider the following:

  1. Divert the shipment to a country that does not require a phytosanitary certificate.
  2. Return the shipment to the United States for official sampling and, if eligible, reshipment.
  3. Petition the USDA to allow certification based on:
    • Your special circumstances, and
    • Retained samples from the original shipment.
  4. Allow the shipment to proceed without certification.
    This option may result in destruction of your commodity, depending on decisions made by regulatory officials at the destination.

This is a form we can use in lieu of a separate, official inspection by MDA of your commodity. The 921-2 can be attached to a PCIT application and we can issue a phytosanitary certificate based on the application and inspection form.

921-2 Insects in Grain Form is limited to grain and grain products. Contact one of seven federally licensed, private grain inspection firms operating in Minnesota and schedule an official sampling appointment. They take an official sample, inspect it and upon your request issue a 921-2 form. All scheduling and subsequent sampling/inspection payments are arranged with the private grain inspection service. The contact information for federally authorized grain inspection companies in Minnesota can be found by contacting the MDA Export Program.

It is important to know the requirements of the importing country, prior to requesting a 921-2 form. Some countries require the inspection company look for additional items when issuing a 921-2. Inspection companies typically do not look for weed seeds or dirt. Some countries REQUIRE a specific certification relative to one or more of these items. In order to get all the necessary inspections and information listed on your 921-2, you will have to make arrangements with the inspection firm and confirm the company can make the necessary inspections and state them on the 921-2 form. If specific inspections are needed for your shipment, but are not listed on the 921-2, we will not be able to use the 921-2 to certify your shipment and an official sample will need to be sent to us for inspection.

What is a 921-2, Insects in Grain Form?

This is a form we can use in lieu of a separate, official inspection by MDA of your commodity. The 921-2 can be attached to a PCIT application and we can issue a phytosanitary certificate based on the application and inspection form.

921-2 Insects in Grain Form is limited to grain and grain products. Contact one of seven federally licensed, private grain inspection firms operating in Minnesota and schedule an official sampling appointment. They take an official sample, inspect it and upon your request issue a 921-2 form. All scheduling and subsequent sampling/inspection payments are arranged with the private grain inspection service. The contact information for federally authorized grain inspection companies in Minnesota can be found by contacting the MDA Export Program.

It is important to know the requirements of the importing country, prior to requesting a 921-2 form. Some countries require the inspection company look for additional items when issuing a 921-2. Inspection companies typically do not look for weed seeds or dirt. Some countries REQUIRE a specific certification relative to one or more of these items. In order to get all the necessary inspections and information listed on your 921-2, you will have to make arrangements with the inspection firm and confirm the company can make the necessary inspections and state them on the 921-2 form. If specific inspections are needed for your shipment, but are not listed on the 921-2, we will not be able to use the 921-2 to certify your shipment and an official sample will need to be sent to us for inspection.

No

This is a form we can use in lieu of a separate, official inspection by MDA of your commodity. The 921-2 can be attached to a PCIT application and we can issue a phytosanitary certificate based on the application and inspection form.

921-2 Insects in Grain Form is limited to grain and grain products. Contact one of seven federally licensed, private grain inspection firms operating in Minnesota and schedule an official sampling appointment. They take an official sample, inspect it and upon your request issue a 921-2 form. All scheduling and subsequent sampling/inspection payments are arranged with the private grain inspection service. The contact information for federally authorized grain inspection companies in Minnesota can be found by contacting the MDA Export Program.

It is important to know the requirements of the importing country, prior to requesting a 921-2 form. Some countries require the inspection company look for additional items when issuing a 921-2. Inspection companies typically do not look for weed seeds or dirt. Some countries REQUIRE a specific certification relative to one or more of these items. In order to get all the necessary inspections and information listed on your 921-2, you will have to make arrangements with the inspection firm and confirm the company can make the necessary inspections and state them on the 921-2 form. If specific inspections are needed for your shipment, but are not listed on the 921-2, we will not be able to use the 921-2 to certify your shipment and an official sample will need to be sent to us for inspection.

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