The USDA has a formal petition and review process through which they handle these situations case-by-case. Typically the USDA will grant a ONE-TIME exception to a company. This exception is company specific and not "reason" related. The company gets one exception, not an individual.
We issue many certificates that identify shipment by weight, bag count, lot number, bag tag or bag markings. You may have a contractual requirement or a customer demand to include container numbers on a phytosanitary certificate. That is a business-related issue. We can issue a phytosanitary certificate using the alternatives mentioned above as distinguishing marks which ensures the timely issuance of a phytosanitary certificate. Such a practice is the single most effective way to avoid missing various certification deadlines. Once the container number is confirmed you can request a replacement certificate that includes the container number if you choose. You will be responsible for paying the cost of the replacement certificate, but you avoid the serious problem of exceeding the 30-day limit. Replacement certificates cost the same as original certificates.
We issue many certificates that identify shipment by weight, bag count, lot number, bag tag or bag markings. You may have a contractual requirement or a customer demand to include container numbers on a phytosanitary certificate. That is a business-related issue. We can issue a phytosanitary certificate using the alternatives mentioned above as distinguishing marks which ensures the timely issuance of a phytosanitary certificate. Such a practice is the single most effective way to avoid missing various certification deadlines. Once the container number is confirmed you can request a replacement certificate that includes the container number if you choose. You will be responsible for paying the cost of the replacement certificate, but you avoid the serious problem of exceeding the 30-day limit. Replacement certificates cost the same as original certificates.
We issue many certificates that identify shipment by weight, bag count, lot number, bag tag or bag markings. You may have a contractual requirement or a customer demand to include container numbers on a phytosanitary certificate. That is a business-related issue. We can issue a phytosanitary certificate using the alternatives mentioned above as distinguishing marks which ensures the timely issuance of a phytosanitary certificate. Such a practice is the single most effective way to avoid missing various certification deadlines. Once the container number is confirmed you can request a replacement certificate that includes the container number if you choose. You will be responsible for paying the cost of the replacement certificate, but you avoid the serious problem of exceeding the 30-day limit. Replacement certificates cost the same as original certificates.
Any information that is related to phytosanitary certification contained in a letter of credit will be reviewed upon request to determine if it is eligible for inclusion. However, information that is not required for the phytosanitary certificate or is business-related will not be placed on the phytosanitary certificate. License number, contract identification, grade, quality or plant variety are not listed on a phytosanitary certificate because it is not considered phytosanitary information. We understand this business information is important to your documentation. However, much of it is not germane to the assessment of pest-free status and phytosanitary compliance and therefore cannot be included on the phytosanitary certificate.
Any information that is related to phytosanitary certification contained in a letter of credit will be reviewed upon request to determine if it is eligible for inclusion. However, information that is not required for the phytosanitary certificate or is business-related will not be placed on the phytosanitary certificate. License number, contract identification, grade, quality or plant variety are not listed on a phytosanitary certificate because it is not considered phytosanitary information. We understand this business information is important to your documentation. However, much of it is not germane to the assessment of pest-free status and phytosanitary compliance and therefore cannot be included on the phytosanitary certificate.
Any information that is related to phytosanitary certification contained in a letter of credit will be reviewed upon request to determine if it is eligible for inclusion. However, information that is not required for the phytosanitary certificate or is business-related will not be placed on the phytosanitary certificate. License number, contract identification, grade, quality or plant variety are not listed on a phytosanitary certificate because it is not considered phytosanitary information. We understand this business information is important to your documentation. However, much of it is not germane to the assessment of pest-free status and phytosanitary compliance and therefore cannot be included on the phytosanitary certificate.
We are regularly told that penalties will be incurred if and when the phytosanitary certificate has different information or spelling than that contained on the letter of credit. Another claim is that the phytosanitary certificate must have the exact information that is contained on all the other documents for the shipment. Simply put, a phytosanitary certificate does not function as, nor should you consider it, a business document. Including it with other business documents is not the correct use of the phytosanitary certificate. Its express purpose it to be presented to the foreign plant pest regulatory officials to confirm your shipment meets the plant pest import requirements established for the commodity. It should never be considered a business document. By considering a phytosanitary certificate "just another" business document you run the risk of shipment delay. One possible solution for you, when possible, is to agree to provide "a phytosanitary certificate acceptable to the plant pest regulatory officials of the destination country." In addition to being the true purpose of the certificate, it separates the phytosanitary certificate from the business documents. If the regulatory staff accepts the phytosanitary certificate, you have fulfilled your contractual obligation regardless of typographical differences with business documents.
Be advised regardless of letter of credit language and what you enter on a PCIT application: We will not knowingly misspell words; The exporter MUST have a US address; We will not enter approximate commodity weights; We will not enter any additional declaration or pest-freedom language beyond that stipulated by import permit or federal database; We will not include tax id, letter of credit, or other business-related numbers; and We may change exporter address if it contains unacceptable abbreviations or is interpreted to be inconsistent with standard US format.
If any of these examples are found on PCIT applications, we will make the necessary changes which will be reflected on the final document.
We are regularly told that penalties will be incurred if and when the phytosanitary certificate has different information or spelling than that contained on the letter of credit. Another claim is that the phytosanitary certificate must have the exact information that is contained on all the other documents for the shipment. Simply put, a phytosanitary certificate does not function as, nor should you consider it, a business document. Including it with other business documents is not the correct use of the phytosanitary certificate. Its express purpose it to be presented to the foreign plant pest regulatory officials to confirm your shipment meets the plant pest import requirements established for the commodity. It should never be considered a business document. By considering a phytosanitary certificate "just another" business document you run the risk of shipment delay. One possible solution for you, when possible, is to agree to provide "a phytosanitary certificate acceptable to the plant pest regulatory officials of the destination country." In addition to being the true purpose of the certificate, it separates the phytosanitary certificate from the business documents. If the regulatory staff accepts the phytosanitary certificate, you have fulfilled your contractual obligation regardless of typographical differences with business documents.
Be advised regardless of letter of credit language and what you enter on a PCIT application: We will not knowingly misspell words; The exporter MUST have a US address; We will not enter approximate commodity weights; We will not enter any additional declaration or pest-freedom language beyond that stipulated by import permit or federal database; We will not include tax id, letter of credit, or other business-related numbers; and We may change exporter address if it contains unacceptable abbreviations or is interpreted to be inconsistent with standard US format.
If any of these examples are found on PCIT applications, we will make the necessary changes which will be reflected on the final document.
We are regularly told that penalties will be incurred if and when the phytosanitary certificate has different information or spelling than that contained on the letter of credit. Another claim is that the phytosanitary certificate must have the exact information that is contained on all the other documents for the shipment. Simply put, a phytosanitary certificate does not function as, nor should you consider it, a business document. Including it with other business documents is not the correct use of the phytosanitary certificate. Its express purpose it to be presented to the foreign plant pest regulatory officials to confirm your shipment meets the plant pest import requirements established for the commodity. It should never be considered a business document. By considering a phytosanitary certificate "just another" business document you run the risk of shipment delay. One possible solution for you, when possible, is to agree to provide "a phytosanitary certificate acceptable to the plant pest regulatory officials of the destination country." In addition to being the true purpose of the certificate, it separates the phytosanitary certificate from the business documents. If the regulatory staff accepts the phytosanitary certificate, you have fulfilled your contractual obligation regardless of typographical differences with business documents.
Be advised regardless of letter of credit language and what you enter on a PCIT application: We will not knowingly misspell words; The exporter MUST have a US address; We will not enter approximate commodity weights; We will not enter any additional declaration or pest-freedom language beyond that stipulated by import permit or federal database; We will not include tax id, letter of credit, or other business-related numbers; and We may change exporter address if it contains unacceptable abbreviations or is interpreted to be inconsistent with standard US format.
If any of these examples are found on PCIT applications, we will make the necessary changes which will be reflected on the final document.
