This guideline  is 
designed to help 
Importers, Customs  
Brokers , Official 
Import Inspection 
Establishment Plant Management , and the 
general public : 
 
•Understand the import regulatory requirements  
 
•Take s teps to 
ensure products are imported in compliance with 
applicable 
regulations  
 
      
FSIS USDA 
   
      
FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat, 
Poultry, and Egg Products in to the  
United States  
 
Draft - July 7, 2017     ii 
 Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Guidance for Importing Meat, 
Poultry, and Egg Products into the United States  
 
W
hat is the purpose of this Compliance Guidance?  
 
FSIS is providing guidance to interested parties on steps they can take to ensure meat, 
poultry, and egg products are imported in compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations of the United States.   
 
Who is this guideline designed for?  
 
This guidance is intended to help U.S. importers customs brokers, official import inspection establishments, and egg products plants understand the import requirements found in 9 CFR 327  (meat), 9 CFR 381, Subpart T  (poultry), 9 CFR 590.900- 970
 (egg 
products) and 9 CFR 530.557 ( Siluriformes  fish ( Docket No. FSIS -2008- 0031 )).   
 Although FSIS is requesting comments on this document, this document reflects FSIS’s current position.  FSIS recommends importers begin using it now.  
  
 
How can I comment on this guideline?  
 
FSIS is seeking comments on this guideline as part of it s efforts to continuously assess 
and improve the effectiveness of policy documents. All interested persons may submit comments regarding any aspect of this document, including but not limited to: content, readability, applicability, and accessibility. The comment period will be 60 days and the document will be updated in response to the comments.  
 Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:  
 
Federal eRulemaking Portal Online submission at regulations.gov: This Web site 
provides the ability  to type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web 
page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/
 and 
follow the online instructions at that site for submitting  comments.  
 Mail, including - CD-ROMs, and hand- or courier -delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FSIS, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3782, 8- 163A, Washington, DC 20250- 3700.  
 All items su bmitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name, FSIS, and 
document title: FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat, Poultry and Egg Products into the Note : The Siluriformes  fish final rule (Docket 
No. FSIS -2008 -0031) applies the import rule 
requirements to fish.  FSIS will begin 
enforcing all requirements of the rule after a transitional period ( August 2 , 2017).  More 
information about Siluriformes  inspection in 
the transitional period, including imports, can be found at 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/to
pics/inspection/siluriformes .   iii 
 United States. Comments received will be made available for public inspection and 
posted without change, including any personal information, to https://www.regulations.gov/
. 
 
Is this version of the guideline final?  
 
No, this version of the guideline,  dated July 7 , 2017 will be available for public comment 
until September  5, 2017 .  After FSIS reviews the comments, it will update this guideline 
as necessary and respond to public comments.    
 
What if I still have questions after I read this guideline?  
 If the desired information cannot be found within the Compliance Guideline, FSIS recommends that users search the publicly posted Questions & Answers ( Q&As) in the 
AskFSIS  database or submit questions through AskFSIS
. Docu menting these questions 
helps FSIS improve and refine present and future versions of the Compliance Guideline 
and associated issuances.  
Below is the screenshot to search the AskFSIS  database of publicly posted Q&As:  
 
The "Submit a  Question" tab will only be activated once you've performed a search and 
have accessed an answer.   If you've searched the publicly posted Q&A’s and are 
unable to find the answer you're looking for, you can access the "Submit a Question" 
tab to submit a new question to our support staff.   The system may suggest possible 
answers, which you can view before finally submitting your question.  
You must have a customer account  in order to submit a question or access "My 
Questions."   
To create an account, you can either access the "Create a New Account"  option or the 
"Signup"  option on the upper right hand corner of the screen.  
  iv 
 Below is the screenshot to “Submit a Question,” Log in or create an AskFSIS account:  
 
If you already have a customer account, but have forgotten your username or 
password, click "Forgot your username or password ?" option.   The next screen will 
allow you to request your username or reset  your passwor d. For Username 
requests,  an email  will be sent to the email address in your customer account.   For 
Password resets, your username must be correct to receive an email with a link to reset 
your password. If you do not receive the email to reset your passwor d, check to make 
sure your username is correct.  The username is case sensitive.  
When submitting a question, use the “Submit a Question” tab, and enter the following 
information in the fields provided:  
Subject Field:  Enter FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat , Poultry, and Egg 
Products into the United States   
Question Field:  Enter question with as much detail as possible.  
Product Field:  Select  Import  from the drop -down menu.  
Category Field:  Select Basic Import Answers from the drop -down menu.  
Policy Arena:   Select International  (Import/Export) from the drop- down menu.  
 When all fields are complete, press Continue . 
Additional Information:  FSIS Directive 5620.1  - Using askFSIS  
  
  v 
  
FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products                                
into the United States  
 
Table of Contents  
 
Statutory Jurisdiction ............................................................................... 1 
Country Equivalence and Establishment Eligibility  ............................... 1 
Presenting and Documenting Shipments ……………………………… …..1 
Certification  ............................................................................................... 5 
Labeling and Marking ............................................................................... 9 
FSIS Sampling Process  .......................................................................... 11 
Test and Hold on Shipments Pending FSIS Testing Results ............... 12 
U.S. Refused Entry Process  ................................................................... 13 
Importer, Broker, and Official Import Inspection Establishment Supply 
Chain Coordination: Best Practices  ...................................................... 15 
Exemptions to FSIS Import Inspection ................................................. 16 
Products Not Regulated by FSIS  ........................................................... 18 
FSIS Contact Information for Import Inspection  ................................... 21 
FSIS District Map: Official Import Inspection Establishment  Locations
 ................................................................................................................. 22 
FSIS Office of Field Operations, District Offices  .................................. 22 
Import Inspection Resources  .................................................................  25 
 
 1 
 FSIS Guidance for Importing Meat, Po ultry, and Egg Products  
 into the United States  
Statutory Jurisdiction 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service 
(FSIS) is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. FSIS inspects imported meat, poultry, and egg products under the 
authority of the Federal Meat Inspection Act
 (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ) and the 
Poultry Products Inspection Act  (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq. ), and t he Egg Products 
Inspection Act (EPIA) (15 U.S.C. 1031 et seq).   
Country Equivalence and Establishment Eligibility  
 
Imported meat, poultry, and egg products must originate from eligible countries and 
from establishments  or plants  that are certified to export to the United States  (21 U.S.C. 
620,466) and U.S.C. 1046).  Countries become eligible following an equivalence 
determination pr ocess completed by FSIS in coordination with the central competent 
authority (CCA). Establishments or plants become eligible when the CCA of the exporting country certifies to FSIS that the establishment(s) or plants meet requirements 
that are equivalent to FSIS requirements.   
 After a country is determined to have an equivalent food safety regulatory system, FSIS relies on the country’s CCA to carry out inspection activities. Foreign establishments desiring to export to the United States must apply to their own CCA and that country’s chief inspection official must certify to FSIS those establishments that meet requirements equivalent to those of the United States.  In addition to reinspecting product presented for import into the United States, FSIS conducts periodic  audits to 
ensure that the foreign country’s food safety regulatory system remains equivalent to that of the United States.  These audits include an assessment of selected exporting establishments.  
 
Presenting and Documenting Shipments  
 
All im ported shipments of meat, poultry, and egg products  must be presented to FSIS 
for inspection.  FSIS import inspec tion occurs after  the product has met U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) and USDA -Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) requirements at the U.S. Port of Entry (i.e. conditional release).  CBP’s release of the shipment at the U.S. Port of  Entry allows the shipment to transfer to the 
designated FSIS official import inspection establishment. It does not mean that FSIS import inspection requirements have been met.  
   
 2 
 Import Inspection Application: The importer (person primarily liable for the payment 
of any duties on the merchandise, or an authorized agent acting on the importer’s  behalf, such as a broker (19 CFR 101.1)) must apply for FSIS inspection of imported product (9 CFR 327.5 , 381.198 , and 590.920
). Importers (i.e. the app licant) must submit 
either the paper FSIS Form 9540- 1 Import Inspection Application to the FSIS inspection 
personnel in the designated official import inspection establishment; or the electronic applicati on data (Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set) into the U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) ACE, which transfers to FSIS’ Public Health Information System (PHIS) Import Component.   The PHIS Import Component is an electronic data analytic system that collects, consolidates, and analyzes data in order to improve public health.  PHIS enables importers to electronically apply for FSIS import inspection prior to arrival of shipments destined for the United St ates, and electronically links with ACE.  More 
information about the PHIS Import Component can be found at 
http://www.fsis.usda.go v/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international -affairs/importing -
products/phis -import -component .  
 
Basic Import Process  
 
 
Importers must submit the inspection application as far as possible in advance of the 
anticipated arrival of each consignment, but no later than when entry is filed with CBP (9 
CFR 327.5(b), 381.198(b), and 590.920(b)).  Importers who submit inspection application data electronically using the PGA Message Set automatically meet the prior 
notification requirement.  The prior notification requir ement is particularly important for 
shipments that cross land borders (U.S. -Canada and U.S. - Mexico), because of the 
relative speed with which those shipments enter the United States, compared to shipments that enter the country on ocean vessels or by air.   For all shipments, 
including those from Canada and Mexico, it is essential that sufficient advance notice occur to ensure data entry can be completed in advance of the shipment arriving at the official import inspection establishment to avoid delays at t he official import inspection Eligible Foreign 
Est.  •Eligible est. in equivalent country exports certified shipment to United 
States.  
U.S. POE  •U.S. importer (or agent) files entry with U.S. CBP , submits import inspection application to FSIS, and ensures shipment clears CBP and APHIS (animal health requirements) at U.S. point of entry (POE).  
Official Import 
Inspection Est.  •After clearance at U.S. POE, U.S. importer (or agent) ensures properly documented shipment is presented to FSIS for reinspection at designated official import inspection est. by estimated date of arrival.  3 
 establishment. Import inspection applications must be complete, including the Customs 
entry number.   Further guidance on the PHIS Import Component can be found in the following industry Q&A: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/inspection/phis/questions -and-answers -
import -component/ct_index . 
 Official Import Inspection Establishments : FSIS inspection occurs at the official 
import inspection establishment designated by the importer in the inspection application, after meeting CBP and APHIS (animal disease requirements) at the U.S. POE.  Official import inspection establishments are privately owned facilities that operate under an 
FSIS grant of inspection.  An establishment’s grant of inspection (i.e. approval to host FSIS import inspection) identifies the specific products approved for FSIS import inspection at the establishment.  A list of of ficial import establishments can be found in 
the FSIS Meat, Poultry, and Egg Product Inspection Directory at 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/inspection/ mpi-directory , with an “I” prefix 
in the establishment’s name/number.   
   
 
 
 
 Bulk Pasteurized Egg Product Shipments :  Tankers and large 
bulk shipments  of pasteurized egg products , which cannot be 
safely opened (i.e. railroad tanker) and checked organoleptically at the official import inspection establishment, must be checked by FSIS at the receiving egg products plant (
9 CFR 590.424(b )).  
Other containers of pasteurized egg products ( e.g. 5 gallon 
containers) will be  checked organoleptically  by FSIS at the 
official import establishment, where safe and appropriate.  
 
Unpasteurized  Egg Products  (currently permitted from Canada only) are not 
required to present for FSIS reinspection at an official import inspection 
establishment  (9 CFR 590.925) .  All unpasteurized egg products shipments 
must proceed directly to an official FSIS egg product plant  in the United States 
and be presented for FSIS reinspection.   
 
For unpasteurized egg products, the importer (or agent) must submit as early 
as possible, but no later than when the entry is filed with CBP, an electronic or 
paper  import inspection application, FSIS Form 9540- 1, and the official 
inspection certificate to FSIS, Office of Field Operations , Recall Management 
and Technical Analysis Division  (email: ImportInspection@fsis.usda.gov  or fax: 
202-720-0465).  The FSIS reinspection assignment will be scheduled in PHIS 
and reinspection will occur at the official FSIS egg products plant  designated 
on the electroni c or paper  import inspection application . 
 4 
  
Failure to Present (FTP):   Any shipment of meat, poultry, or egg product that has 
entered commerce without FSIS import inspection violates the FMIA; the PPIA; or the EPIA, a s well as the associated implementing regulations (9 CFR 327.6; 381.199; 
590.925). Meat, poultry , and egg products from outside the U.S. are considered "in-
commerce" when they are off -loaded at a location other than the official import 
inspection establishment or the official egg processing establishment designated on the import inspection application.  FSIS considers such product to be a Failure to Present (FTP), and therefore ineligible for FSIS inspection.  When a product has been identified as a FTP, FSIS will request, through CBP, a redelivery of the shipment and appropriate penalties.  
FTP product still in the original shipping containers may either be destroyed or returned to the country of origin. If any imported product identified as FTP has been re moved 
from the original cartons or further processed, FSIS will initiate a regulatory control action on the product, including any further processed product that contains the FTP product, to ensure appropriate disposition (i.e., destruction). FSIS will likely request that the importer recall the FTP product.  
NOTE : The importer or customs broker can update the official import inspection 
establishment or the estimated date of arrival (EDA)  as long as the product remains 
intact and is not offloaded, so that the product can be re- inspected as required.  The 
EDA is the date that the product is expected to arrive at the designated FSIS establishment for import inspection.  
 PGA Message Set : The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 (SAFE 
Port Act) (Public Law 109- 347) 
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW -
109publ347/html/PLAW -109publ347.htm  requires all agencies involved in clearing or 
licensing the importation and exportation of cargo to participate in the International Trade Data System (ITDS). The SAFE Port Act assigns CBP the responsibilities for building and operating ITDS as part of the ACE project, an effort to modernize and expand U.S. government agencies’ automated systems for processing imports and exports. The ITDS is an electronic information exchange capability or “Single Window” through which businesses will transmit data required by U.S. government agencies for the importation or exportation of cargo.  ACE  is a CBP system designed to facilitate 
legitimate trade while enhancing border security.  ACE streamlines and automates collection, sharing, and processing of information submitted to CBP and U.S. government agencies, eliminating the need to submit a paper copy, and enabling the international trade community  to more easily and efficiently comply with U.S. laws and 
regulations.  
 
FSIS participates in the Single Window initiative through the PGA Message Set, which includes the harmonized, electronic informati on needed by FSIS to approve imports of 
cargo. The PGA Message Set extends the electronic data that is currently provided to CBP to include the additional import inspection application data required by FSIS. Use of the PGA Message Set automates the collection of information provided by the importer on FSIS form 9540- 1. These data elements are transmitted electronically from 
ACE to FSIS’ PHIS when the entry is filed with CBP, eliminating the need for importers to submit a paper copy of the FSIS form 9540 -1 to FSIS.  This process expedites data 5 
 entry and shipment clearance by FSIS, and automatically meets FSIS’ prior notification 
requirement.  
 
Importers must use a software developer that has been certified by CBP according to Automated Broker Interface (ABI) requirements.  Automated Broker Interface (ABI) -
certified software vendors who are interested in developing PGA message set software may find the requirements for the development of the PGA Message Set capabilities outlined in the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) 
http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/catair
. Current ABI -certified vendors can be found on 
CBP’s website at https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/abi -software -vendors -list.  
More information about ABI can be found on CBP’s website at  
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/acs/abi/contact -info. 
 
FSIS has further defined and developed additional guidance that is intended to assist  
importers, brokers, and software vendors in understanding the required FSIS -specific 
data that will need to be submitted through CBP’s ACE system in order to complete the import application process. FSIS has posted this compliance guide on the following webpage: FSIS Partner Government  Agency (PGA) Message Set Compliance Guide
.  
 
FSIS continues  to work with interested software vendors, importers, and brokers.  For 
more information on becoming an active participant in the PGA Message Set with FSIS, contact the Import/Export Policy Devel opment Staff, telephone 202- 720-0082.  
  
 
Certification  
• Shipment Certification Requirements  
The foreign government (i.e. CCA) is responsible for the certification of each consignment (i.e., shipment of product to the United States (9 CFR 327.4, 381.197
, 
and 590.915 ).  The consignment is the product as it is represented on the official 
inspection certification.  Each consignment must have an electronic inspection certification or a paper inspecti on certificate issued by an authorized official of the 
foreign government agency responsible for the inspection and certification of the product. PHIS provides for a government -to-government electronic transmission of 
the inspection certificate data as an alternative to the paper certificate.  Foreign governments interested in pursuing electronic certification (e- Cert) should contact 
the FSIS, Office of International Coordination, telephone (202) 708- 9543, for further 
guidance and requirements.  Non-CBP Locations:  A paper FSIS Form 9540 -1 will continue to be 
required for shipments of meat, poultry, and egg products imported into ports where the U.S. CBP ACE system is not available (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
Islands) due to a lack of CBP jurisdiction in these ports.  FSIS do es 
not require a hard copy of the official inspection certificate when the data from that certificate transfers to PHIS from a government -to-
government connection (eCER T). 
 6 
  
The certifi cate must include a statement that any product described on the official 
certificate was produced in accordance with the regulatory requirements in 9 CFR 327.2, 381.19 6 or  590.910
, or their eq uivalent .   
 NOTE : The electronic  certification will be transmitted directly to FSIS in PHIS before 
the product’s arrival at the official import inspection establishment ( 9 CFR 
327.4 , 
381.197 , 590.915 ).   
 The paper official inspection certificate must accompany each consignment; be submitted to import inspection personnel at the official import inspection establishment; be in English; and bear the official seal of the foreign government responsible for the inspection of the product, including the name, title, and signature of the official authorized to issue inspection certificates for products imported to the United States.  
 Both the electronic certification and the paper official inspection c ertificate must 
contain:  
• The date;  
• The foreign country of export and the producing foreign establishment 
number;  
• The species used to produce the product and the source country and foreign 
establishment number, if the source materials originate from a count ry other 
than the exporting country;  
• The product’s description, including the process category, the product category, and the product group;  
• The name and address of the importer or consignee;  
• The name and address of the exporter or consignor;  
• The number o f units (pieces or containers) and the shipping or identification 
mark on the units;  
• The net weight of each lot; and  
• Any additional information the Administrator requests to determine whether 
the product is eligible to be imported into the United States.  
 
Additional Information Requirements  
 
1. Pasteurized Egg Products - bulk packed shipments (tankers or large tote 
shipments) of pasteurized egg products must have foreign government 
documentation attesting to negative laboratory results for Salmonella. This 
may be on the official inspection certificate or on a separate paper with the 
foreign government’s letterhead.  
 
2. Poultry Grading Certificates - USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service 
recognizes the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) poultry product grade designations provided the poultry graded for export to the U.S. satisfies the criteria for U.S. grades.  Canadian product labeled with the CFIA grades will be accepted provided the shipment is accompanied by an official CFIA grading certificate stating that the product meets USDA grade standards (e.g. 
“Young Turkey Canada A”).  This certificate is in addition to the requirement 7 
 that there be an official inspection certificate.  If graded product is received 
without the accompanying grading certificate, FSIS w ill refuse entry on the 
shipment until either a grading certificate is provided or the reference to the poultry grade has been obliterated or removed.  
 
3. Production Dates - Production dates are required on the official inspection 
certificate when the producing foreign establishment has had a period of ineligibility (delisted for noncompliance), or to distinguish the lots when a shipment includes multiple lots of like product that bear the same shipping mark .  
 
4. Sealing of Liquid Egg Products –  Bulk shipments of  liquid egg product are 
required to be sealed with a foreign government seal(s) and the seal numbers included on the official inspection certificate. If the seal(s) are missing or broken, except for instances where CBP has removed the seal, FSIS will refus e entry of the shipment.  
 
• Product Categorization 
To help foreign exporters and governments accurately identify eligible meat, poultry, and egg products intended for export to the United States, FSIS has published an updated Product Categorization
 guide on the Agency’s website at 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/abbf595d- 7fc7-4170- b7be -
37f812882388/Product -Categorization.pdf?MOD=AJPERES   
 The guide now aligns more closely with product categorization in PHIS and includes all species that are now under FSIS jurisdiction.  
 The guide outlines the three levels of product description required by FSIS on official inspection certification for each shipment of imported meat , poultry, and 
egg products:  
 
Process Category: For imported product, process categories are used as 
high-level groupings that identify whether and how products are further 
processed after the slaughter operation. Thus, “slaughter” would not be a correct process category for imported product. For example, the process category “Raw P roduct - Non-Intact” applies to establishments that use 
further processing steps such as grinding, comminuting, injecting product with solutions, or mechanical tenderization by needling, cubing, pounding devices or other means of creating non- intact produc t. 
 
Product Category: Product categories are a more specific classification, linked to the appropriate species for each category. For example, a product category for beef or veal species is “Raw ground, comminuted, or otherwise non- intact beef.”  
 
Product G roup: Product groups further define the product to a level of 
specificity that FSIS can program appropriate types of inspections (TOI) in 8 
 PHIS for examinations and laboratory sampling. “Beef Patty Product” is an 
example of a product group.  
 
Because of the length of some process categories and product categories, FSIS accepts easily -identifiable abbreviations or acronyms for either product or process 
categories on official inspection certification. However, if the official inspection certification does not include product categorization (process category, product category, and product group) that is consistent with the guide, replacement certification is required to proceed with import reinspection.  
 
 
Palletized, consumer packaged (including food service—hot el, restaurant , or institution 
(HRI)), fully marked and labeled products may be presented with the shipping mark and 
shipping container label applied to the outside of the pallet, rather than to individual tray packs or cartons.  When products are presented in this manner only one type and size of product may be presented as a lot.  When utilizing alternative packaging procedures, the importer is responsible for assuring that the entire pallet will be distributed to retail or the end user as an intact unit.  
 
NOTE : For Canadian shipments, different sized boxes of the same product may be 
presented on the same pallet when the pallets in the lot will be split for distribution to 
specific end users
 
 Product Lot Grouping and Certification  
FSIS requires product to be presented for reinspection in lots certified on the official 
inspection certificate.  PHIS assigns reinspection tasks based on the lots included on the 
certificate/eCert.  The lots on the certificate/eCert must align with those on the FSIS 
9540- 1 Import Inspection Application  or PGA Mes sage Set, and cannot be changed at 
import reinspection.   
 
Therefore, it is critical that the importer (or agent) correlates the lotting and certification of 
the product with the foreign exporter before the foreign government certifies the 
shipment.  When  the lots on the inspection certificate do not match the lots on the import 
application, FSIS requires  a replacement inspection certificate to continue reinspection of 
a shipment.   The importer (or agent) must resolve any discrepancies between the import 
application and the official inspection certificate before FSIS reinspection takes place. 
PHIS allows this process to take place electronically between the importer (or agent) and the FSIS import inspector.   
 Lot groupings are based on like product by species, process category, product category and product group. The FSIS Product Categorization Chart
 provides product descriptions 
to determine lot grouping on the official  inspection certificate.  When a shipment includes 
multiple lots of like product with the same shipping mark, additional information must be provided (e.g. production dates) to identify the lots.     
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 Labeling and Marking 
Meat, poultry, and egg products exported to the United States must adhere to the 
labeling standards   in the Federal meat, poultry and egg products inspection Acts, 
regulations, and policies, or their equi valent.   
FSIS reinspection includes verification of labeling requirements, such as the product 
name and the presence of cooking or heating instructions, validated cooking 
instructions and in some cases safe handling instructions to verify the classificati on of 
the process and product categories.   As an example, label features on Not Ready to Eat 
(NRTE) products would convey that the product needs to be further cooked prior to consumption, e.g., "cook and serve," "uncooked,” "cook thoroughly".   It is essen tial that 
the product is properly categorized
, as this impacts what reinspections the product in 
the lot will be subjected to, including product sampling.    
Consistent with the FMIA, PPIA, and EPIA, FSIS regulations prohibit misbranded and economically adulterated meat, poultry, and egg products, ensuring that all labels are truthful and not misleading.  If a product is deemed to be incorrectly labeled, a wide 
range of penalties can be imposed, including rescinding the use of the labeling, product retention or detention (prohibiting the sale from anywhere in the chain of commerce), relabeling, or request for product recall.   
Further guidance on labeling issues may be obtained by accessing Labeling/Label 
Approval:  http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory -compliance/labeling
 
• Missing or Completely Illegible Shipping Marks  
Shipping marks are normally applied by the exporting country when product is exported.  Missing or illegible shipping marks may be applied (or reapplied) under the supervision of a representative of the Central Competent Authority (CCA) of the exporting country.    
 10 
  
Approval for a Pre -Stamping Program  
 Official import inspection establishments may request approval for a Pre- Stamping 
Program.  The Federal Meat and Poultry Products Inspection regulations (9 CFR 327.10(d)  and 381.204(f))
 permit official import inspection establishments, with an 
approved program, to place the official inspection legend on imported meat and poultry products before the completion of an official import reinspection. However, the regulations require that the official import inspection establishment has a controlled pre-stamping procedure approved by the FSIS. The pre- stamping procedure must identify 
how the controlled stamping of product will be accomplished. Requests to establish a pre-stamping procedure must be submi tted in writing on company letterhead to the 
District Office with jurisdiction for that state  for review.  
The written request must:  
• State that pre -stamping is limited to only  those meat and poultry lots that FSIS 
import inspection personnel can fully inspect on the day on which pre- stamping 
occurs;  
• Identify where product that is pre- stamped will be stored in the official import 
inspection establishment until reinspection has occurred;  
• Include a control procedure for removing or obliterating the official inspection 
legend from pre- stamped lots that fail reinspection;  Seal Variations for Certain Egg Products  
When pasteurized liquid egg products are shipped in bulk shipments (tanker 
trucks or portable totes weighing approximately 1,000 pounds or more) : 
 
• The shipment must be presented at an official import inspection 
establish ment ; 
 
• The transport container(s) must be sealed with the exporting government’s 
seals and the seal numbers identified on the inspection certificate or other 
CCA documentation containing the exporting country’s official seal numbers; and 
 
• The testing resul ts for Salmonella must be  presented with the shipment and 
identified as negative on the official inspection certificate or other CCA documentation for the production lot of pasteurized egg products that includes the product offered for entry; the certificate and product information must match.  
 
When unpasteurized egg products are shipped in bulk shipments (tanker trucks 
or portable totes weighing approximately 1,000 pounds or more), the transport container(s) must be sealed with the exporting government’s s eals and the seal 
numbers identified on the inspection certificate or other documentation must 
contain the exporting country’s official seal numbers . 
 11 
 • Describe how the official import inspection establishment will maintain a daily 
pre-stamping log that includes the date the product was pre- stamped/re-
inspected, the country of origin, the foreign establishment number,  the name of the product, the number of units in the lot, the shipping or identification mark, and the official inspection certificate number; and  
• Provide for the retention of the daily pre- stamping log in accordance with                   
9 CFR 320.3
 and for making it available to import inspection personnel on a daily 
basis.  
Approved requests will be signed by the FSIS District Manager and the letter returned to the requesting official import inspection establishment management.  
  
 
FSIS Sampling Process  
FSIS reinspection sampling is allocated by c ountry, process category, product category, 
product group and in some instances, species. Each imported product shipment is to be 
identified by the foreign exporting establishment with a unique shipping mark or identification mark that is entered into PHIS  for the initial identification and subsequent 
tracking of the product while in U.S. commerce distribution channels.  When a lot of imported product is selected for reinspection, several types of inspection (TOI) may be assigned and performed by FSIS impor t inspection personnel. These include a physical 
examination of the product for visible defects and an examination of container condition.   At set intervals, FSIS also collects and analyzes samples for pathogens, food chemistry, and drug and chemical resi dues. There are three levels of reinspection (LOR) relative to 
sampling:  Normal LOR  is randomly selected lots based on the annual sampling plan; 
Increased LOR  is targeted based on a FSIS management decision; and Intensified 
LOR  is automatically generated by PHIS after a lot fails a TOI.  
 Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOPs) are written procedures 
that official establis hments and official import inspection establishments develop, 
implement, and maintain to prevent direct contamination or adulteration of meat or poultry products. All official import inspection establishments must develop and maintain Sanitation SOPs (9 CF R 
304.3(a)  and 381.22(a) ; 9 CFR 416.11 through 416.17 ).  Official 
import inspection establishments must also ensure that reinspected, imported egg products do not become contaminated or adulterated.   
 FSIS will perform directed procedures within the official import inspection establishment, including Sanitation SOP verification, pre- stamping compliance, as well as unscheduled 
procedures prompted by a trigger event, such as when a pre- stamping violati on occurs.  
FSIS will maintain establishment profiles in PHIS, which will provide the ability for compliance and non- compliance of verification activities to be documented. Official import 
inspection establishment management may find out how to access PHIS  for these 
purposes at How to obtain a Level 2 USDA eAuthentication account
.   
 12 
 If a shipment fails reinspection, the result is recorded in PHIS. Thereafter, PHIS will 
automatically generate an intensified rate of reinspection. For example, a failure for physical defects that is not of public health c oncern results in assignment of 
reinspections for the next 10 lots (or 10 times the weight) of the same or similar products from the producing foreign establishment. In the case of failures considered to be of public health concern, such as a laboratory analyses failure, the next 15 consecutive lots (or 15 times the weight of the failed lot) are selected for repeat analysis. Products that fail reinspection are refused entry into the United States. If the IOR wants to appeal a failed TOI, they are to go through the appropriate chain of command within the Office of Field Operations.  
 Products that pass reinspection are allowed to enter U.S. commerce. Under U.S. meat, poultry, and egg products inspection laws, reinspected and passed imported articles are, upon entry into the United States, deemed and treated as domestic articles in commerce.  
Test and Hold on Shipments Pending FSIS Testing Results  
When FSIS schedules a laboratory TOI of selected products for specific adulterants, the selected product shipment mus t be held pending acceptable results.    
 The test and hold policy above applies to imported shipments of:  
1. Non-intact raw beef product or intact raw beef product intended for non- intact use 
that is tested for Escherichia coli  O157:H7 ( E. coli  O157:H7) and other shiga-
toxin producing E. coli  (STEC ) that FSIS considers to be adulterants;  
2. Ready -to-eat products tested for Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella;  
3. Livestock carcasses and meat products tested for residues; and  
4. Egg products.  
 The test and hold policy  above does not apply to imported shipments of:  
1. Raw meat or poultry products tested for Salmonella or other pathogens that FSIS 
has not designated as adulterants in those products; or   
2. Poultry carcasses or raw poultry parts sampled for residues.  
 The im porter, or the importer’s agent , is responsible for controlling the product that is on 
hold. The sampled lot may move off -site, however, the held shipment must be controlled 
(e.g., company seals) and not enter into commerce until acceptable results are recei ved 
and the FSIS reinspection is completed.  The sampled lot may move off -site if the 
laboratory TOI is assigned at the Normal level of reinspection (LOR). When the laboratory TOI is assigned at the Increased or Intensified LOR, the lot is ineligible to move from the official import inspection establishment until acceptable laboratory 
sample results are reported. The IOR is responsible for ensuring that the product does not move into commerce prior to the receipt of acceptable laboratory results  and the 
completion of the product reinspection by FSIS.  
 
If the laboratory analysis results show that the product is not in compliance, shipments on hold must be returned to the official import inspection establishment, have the marks of inspection obliterated, and will be stamped “United States Refused Entry.”  The IOR and the import establishment management can receive laboratory results electronically directly from the FSIS laboratory by providing an e- mail address on the FSIS import 13 
 inspection application.  FSIS has prepared a compliance guideline for the test and hold 
requirements:  FSIS Compliance Guideline for Controlling Meat and Poultry Products 
Pending FSIS Test Results : http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/6b7b5a65-
9ad3- 4f89-927d-
078e564aca24/Compliance_Guide_Test_Hold_020113.pdf?MOD=AJPERES  
U.S. Refused Entry Process  
 
Meat, poultry, and egg products that do not c omply with U.S requirements are not 
allowed by FSIS to enter U.S. commerce and are identified with a “United States Refused Entry” stamp or tag.  When FSIS refuses entry, FSIS sends a notification from PHIS to the applicant by e- mail, utilizing the email a ddress provided on the import 
inspection application.  Product that is securely held at a location other than the official 
import establishment, pending lab results, must be returned to the official import establishment if the product is Refused Entry.  Within 45 days for meat and poultry and 
30 days for egg products, the IOR must provide disposition of the refused entry product 9 CFR 327.13(a)(2),  381.202(a)(2) , or 590.945(a))
.   Disposition o ptions for refused 
entry products include: rectification (i.e. misbranded brought into compliance within the product -specific time frames listed above); exportation (return) to originating country or 
third country; landfill; rendering; incineration; denaturing the product not for human food; or conversion of product to animal food with prior Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.  The IOR is to notify FSIS in writing if he/she wishes to bring refused entry 
product into compliance, or appeal the refusal . FSIS provides for extensions to the 
timeframes for product to be re- exported, which may be requested by the IOR when 
extreme circumstances warrant it (e.g., a dock workers strike or unforeseeable vessel delay).  
Partial Refused Entry  
Shipments containing cartons with transportation damage, missing or completely 
illegible shipping marks are to be sorted, and the non- compliant product removed from 
the lot by the official import inspection establishment under FSIS supervision ( 9 CFR 
327.13(a)(2),  381.202(a)(2) , or 590.945(a)) .  
U.S. Export Products Returned to the United States  
The FSIS, OFO, Recall Management Technical Analysis Division (RMTAD) must approve requests to return U.S. exported meat, poultry, and egg products prior to the product arriving at the U.S. POE. The product may be subject to reinspection in an 
official FSIS establishment prior to release into commerce (9 CFR 327.17 , 381.209
, and 
590.965 ).   
 
Prior to submitting a request to FSIS for approval to return exported products, the applicant must verify that APHIS will permit entry. Applicants  can contact USDA, APHIS  
via telephone at  (301) 734- 3277, website, 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_anpro
ducts.shtml .  APHIS import permits: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/ .  
 14 
 Applicants returning U.S. exported products to the U.S. must also file the proper 
customs entry paperwork with the appropriate port director ( U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection Requirements ). 
 FSIS requires that the exporter/applicant complete the FSIS Form 9010- 1
, "Application 
for the Return of Exported Products to the United States" (Fillable PDF). The form should be completed and submitted by email to 
USReturnedExports@fsis.usda.gov  or 
by FAX to (202) 720- 6050, with a copy of the export certificate (FSIS Form 9060- 5 or 
9135- 3) and any additional supporting documentation related to the product prior to the 
shipment arriving in the U.S.  
 When the form and appropriate documentation are received by RMTAD, the information will be assessed to determine whether the shipment needs to be reinspected prior to its 
release into commerce. RMTAD will seek information about the shipment and consider the information obtained.  This information may include, but is not limited to, the 
follow ing:   
• Is the product in its original shipping conveyance?  
• What is the condition of the product, its shipping cartons, and its immediate packaging? 
• How long has the product been out of the country? 
• Where has the product been since it was exported from the U.S.?  
• Under what conditions has the product been held?  
• What has been the chain of ownership of the product?  
• Was the product ever abandoned?  
• Is the product labeled in compliance with U.S. regulations?  
• Was the product refused entry by a foreign government, a nd, if so, what were the 
circumstances behind the refusal? (A copy of the official inspection report may be required.)  
When the exporter/applicant provides the above information with their original submission, it may expedite RMTAD’s ability to make its determination.  
 If reinspection is required,  RMTAD  will inform the applicant, who must coordinate and 
provide an appropriate plan for examination from the designated official FSIS establishment where the reinspection is to occur.  RMTAD will coordinate with the appropriate District Office
 (DO) and provide all information obtained including the plan 
for reinspection. Once the DO has concurred with the reinspection location, RMTA D will 
advise the applicant that the shipment can proceed to the designated establishment for reinspection. FSIS inspection personnel at the official establishment will reinspect the product, including taking samples, as needed, to assure it is not adulter ated or 
misbranded and that there are no signs of product tampering. The DO will report the results of the reinspection to RMTAD, and RMTAD will make a final determination on admissibility.  
 NOTE : The product will be retained if it is adulterated or misbranded. Product retention, 
approval for release into commerce, or other results will be designated on the application (
FSIS Form 9010- 1), which will be transmitted to the applicant from RMTAD. 
For more information on returning exported U.S. meat, poultry, or egg products,  15 
 interested parties should contact FSIS at USReturnedExports@fsis. usda.gov  or call 
(202) 720- 9904.  
Importer, Broker, and Official Import Inspection Establishment Supply 
Chain Coordination: Best Practices  
 
The importer is responsible for filing entry and clearing the goods through U.S. Customs 
and other applicable U.S. g overnment agencies. The importer (or agent) is responsible 
for ensuring that all requirements (e.g. CBP, APHIS, FSIS) are met prior to moving the goods into commerce.     
 
The importer applies to FSIS for import reinspection of shipments of meat, poultry, and egg products.  The importer (or agent) identified on the import inspection application is the party who will be contacted (email) by FSIS regarding the following:  
• Decisions associated with the reinspection of imported products ; 
• Decisions associated wit h refused entry product ; 
• Responsibility for recalls requested on imported products ; and  
• Responsibility for shipments that fail to present (FTP) for FSIS reinspection.  
As part of business supply chain processes, the management of the official import inspec tion establishment often has a role as the importer’s designee/agent when issues 
arise with the reinspection of imported meat, poultry, or egg products. FSIS recommends that official import inspection establishment management implement the following best practices:  
• Work with the importer to track the estimated date of arrival of shipments expected to present to FSIS at their establishment and notify the importer when a shipment has not arrived;  
• Ensure that products are properly handled, stored, and staged f or reinspection;  
• Notify FSIS when the shipment arrives at the official import inspection 
establishment;  
• Ensure that corrective actions such as re- labeling or shipping mark issues are 
handled according to FSIS requirements;  
• Ensure that product disposition ( U.S. Inspected and Passed, Holds Pending 
Laboratory Sample Results, U.S. Refused Entry) is properly and expeditiously executed; and  
• Verify that refused entry product is properly stored and handled, and its disposition is handled as per the IOR and FSIS requirements, and notify the IOR when the 45 day (30 days for egg products) disposition date is approaching.  16 
 Exemptions to FSIS Import Inspection 
Samples for Laboratory Examination, Research, Evaluative Testing, or Trade 
Show Exhibition  
Meat, poultry , and egg product samples destined for laboratory examination, research, 
evaluative testing, or trade show exhibition  are no t subject to FSIS import reinspection 
requirements. Such samples are subject to USDA APHIS requirements and animal 
disease restrictions , and may require , depending on any animal health restrictions in the 
country or region of origin,  an APHIS permit prior to importing. Meat, poultry and egg 
product samples may originate from any foreign country, provided there are no animal health restrictions imposed by APHIS.  
 
Weight restrictions for sample shipments: red meat or poultry shipments cannot exceed 50 lbs. (22.7 kg) for each species of product and egg product shipments cannot exceed 30 lbs. (13.6 kg) for liquid or frozen egg products, or 50 lbs. (22.7 kg) for dried egg products.  
 Importers  should contact USDA, APHIS for their requirements prior to importing 
samples at (301) 734- 3277, 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_anpro
ducts.shtml .  APHIS import permits: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/  
Products for Pharmaceutical Use Only  
Products intended for pharmaceutical use only may be imported into the U.S. provided the containers are properly identified as “For Pharmaceutical Use Only” and do not contain a foreign mark of inspection.   An undenatured inedible permit issued by FSIS is 
not required.   If the containers of FSIS amenable product contai n a foreign mark of 
inspection, then the product is considered as edible and must meet all FSIS import requirements, including consignments must be accompanied by an official inspection certificate and must be presented for FSIS import reinspection.   
 Importers should contact USDA, APHIS for their requirements prior to importing 
products for pharmaceutical use at (301) 734- 3277, 
http://www.aphis.usd a.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_anpro
ducts.shtml .  APHIS import permits: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/  
 
Product Containing a Small Amount of Meat, Poultry or Egg Product Ingr edients  
While FSIS statutes provide authority to exempt certain foods containing relatively small 
amounts of meat, poultry, or egg product ingredients  from FSIS inspection, FSIS must 
ensure that these FSIS amenable ingredients are not adulterated. Accordingly, the 
meat, poultry, or egg products ingredie nts used in FSIS -exempted products must be 
from an eligible  source , i.e., prepared under FSIS inspection or in a foreign 
establishment certified by an equivalent foreign inspection system approved by FSIS.   
 17 
 Importers should contact USDA, APHIS for their requirements prior to importing FSIS -
exempted products at (301) 734- 3277, 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_anpro
ducts.shtml .  APHIS import permits: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/  
 
Product Entering the U.S. Destined for Foreign Commissaries  
Under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Agreement, (member countries: 
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm ), importing goods for use by a 
foreign military force is permitted, providing foreign military and their families with food and other items sold within their country.  The foreign commissary may import “provisions” (e.g., meat, poultry, or egg products) from the sending country into the receiving country duty free.  Although this product is not subject to reinspection at official import inspection establishments, FSIS investigators visit foreign commissaries located in the U.S. to verify that products held for sale at these commissaries meet the following requirements: the commissary is located on a military base or is restricted to military personnel from the foreign country in which the product was produced; the 
purchasing of products from the commissary is restricted to only people with proper 
credentials from the foreign military to which the store sells; purchases are in foreign 
currency only; and products must be lab eled “For Commissary Sale Only.”  
Website: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_17265.htm  
  
Products for Personal Consumption 
All travelers entering the United States are required to declare any products of animal 
origin they may be carrying. The declaration must cover all items carried in checked 
baggage, in carry -on luggage, or in a vehicle. U.S. CBP agriculture inspectors at U.S. 
POEs will examine the items and det ermine if they meet the entry requirements of the 
United States. Additional information on bringing agricultural products into the United 
States  is available from CBP.   CBP Basic Importing and Exporting information: 
https://www.cbp.gov/trade  
 FSIS inspection regulations permit the entry of small quantities of meat, poultry or egg products for personal consumption
 (9 CFR, Part 327.16, 381.207, and 590.960). The 
products must not exceed 50 pounds for meat, poultry  and dried egg products, and 30 
pounds for liquid or frozen egg products; and must be for personal use only and cannot be sold or distributed in U.S. commerce.  Such products are exempt from FSIS import regulations, but they are subject to APHIS animal health requirements.    
 The animal health requirements change frequently, and travelers should contact APHIS for up- to-date information by visiting the website or calling (301) 851- 3300. USDA, 
APHIS information: 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_anpro
ducts.shtml  
 18 
 Undenatured Inedible Meat and Egg Products (includes meat, meat by products, 
and technical animal  fat)  
FSIS is responsible for ensuring that domestic and imported meat and egg products distributed in U.S. commerce as human food are wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled. This authority extends to the control of 
undenatured inedible meat 
(meat, meat by-produ cts, and technical animal fat) and egg products  that have the 
appearance of being fit for human consu mption, but are intended for the manufacture of 
articles not for human food. FSIS permits the movement of imported undenatured inedible meat and egg products and technical animal fat, subject to approval of a permit issued by FSIS and prior notice given to FSIS in advance of the arrival of each shipment 
moving under this permit.  
 To apply for approval to import undenatured inedible meat, meat by -products, technical 
animal fat or egg products, applicants may contact the FSIS Office of Field Operations (OFO),  Recall Management Technical Analysis Division (RMTAD) at 202- 720-9904, or 
e-mail importinspection@fsis.usda.gov
 for more details.  
 NOTE : Inedible poultry must be denatured regardless of the intended us e (9 CFR 
381.193 ). 
For additional information on importing denatured products such as pet food ingredients or inedible tallow, contact the FDA Animal  Food and Feeds office:   
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/default.htm
; and  
for pet food 
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/PetFood/UCM200647
5  
Products Not Regulated by FSIS  
Imported Farmed and Wild Game Meat and Other Products  
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has juris diction over imported wildlife products.  
Wildlife is any living or dead wild animal, its parts, and products made from it. Wildlife not only includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, but also invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, arthropods, mollusks and coelenterates. Wild game are wild land mammals (including those living within an enclosed area under conditions of freedom), which are hunted, and wild birds. Large native game animals in the United States include antelope, bear, carib ou, deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. Wild game birds 
include wild turkeys, wild geese, wild ducks, grouse, quail, pheasant, and other non-domesticated species of fowl.  APHIS may have restrictions on imported game depending on the source of the product.  
 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: 
http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/Info_Importers_Exporters.htm
 
 
USDA APHIS:  19 
 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal -and-animal -product -
import -information  
The U.S. FDA has jurisdiction over imported food commodities (i.e., meat) such as 
bison, buffalo, venison, rabbit, game m eat, and all other foods not covered by the 
Federal meat, poultry , and egg products inspection laws. Products from animals not 
amenable to the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act are subject to Federal regulation by the FDA as "food" under the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act.  
U.S. FDA Import Program:  
https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ImportProgram/ImportBasics/default.htm
  
http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/FDABasicsforIndustry/ucm237623.htm  
 
Casings  
Casings are under the U.S. FDA jurisdiction.  Imported casings are also required to 
comply with USDA APHIS requiremen ts: 9 CFR 96.3 Certificate for animal casings:  
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi -bin/text -
idx?c=ecfr&SID=a9618bb1a0adc 95e051d8399ee0d727c&rgn=div8&view=text&node=9:
1.0.1.4.38.0.73.3&idno=9  
 
Denatured Inedible Meat, Poultry, Egg Products and Rendered Fats  
The U.S. FDA has jurisdiction over imported inedible meat, poultry, and egg products 
and rendered fats which are denat ured.  
 For additional information on importing denatured products such as pet food ingredients or inedible tallow, please contact the FDA Animal Food and Feeds office:  
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/default.htm
 and 
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/PetFood/UCM200647
5 
 
Shell Eggs  
Jurisdiction over imported shell eggs is shared by three federal agencies: US FDA,  
USDA’s APHIS, and the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).   FDA has 
regulatory authority over imported shell eggs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosme tic Act.  Foreign producers must comply with the requirements of FDA’s “Egg 
Rule” found in 21 CFR Part 118
 – Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in S hell Eggs 
during Production, Storage, and Transportation. Each individual farm that produces eggs for export to the U.S. must register with FDA under 
21 CFR Part 118 . To register, 
go to http://www.access.fda.gov  and select “FURLS Shell Egg Producer Registration 
Module.”   If the eggs are transported to another facility to be packed or consolidated 
with other eggs  prior to export, that facility must register with FDA as a food facility.   For 
that registration, go to www.access.fda.gov and select “FURLS Food Facility Registration Module.”   Finally, either the farm or the facility must provide prior notice to 20 
 FDA.   Go to http://www.access.fda.gov  and select “Prior Notice System Interface.”   If 
the eggs are for breaking only (and not for table use), they must comply with only the 
registration requirements (above) and the refrig eration requirements in 21 CFR Part 
118.  These regulations require that all eggs going to an official USDA egg products 
plant for breaking and pasteurization must be refrigerated at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below ambient temperature beginning 36 hours after the time that they are laid up until they reach the official USDA egg products plant in the U.S.   More information can be 
found at: 
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR -2009- 07-09/pdf/E9 -16119.pdf .  For 
questions, contact the FDA at (888) 723- 3366.  
APHIS protects America's animal and plant resources from agricultural pests and diseases.   One way APHIS does this is by ensuring that all imported agricultural 
products shipped to the United States from abroad, including shell eggs and egg products, meet that Agency's entry requirements to exclude pests and diseases of agriculture.   Importers should contact the APHIS Import staff to determine a foreign 
country’s eligibility to export to the United States at (301) 851- 3300 or 
AskNIES.Products@aphis.usda.gov
. Permits may be required by some 
countries.   Additional information can be found at: 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/downloads/importer_let
ter_shell_eggs.pdf .   
Under the EPIA, AMS is responsible for inspecting imported shell eggs. AMS does this to control the disposition of restricted eggs (eggs that are undesirable for human consumption without processing in an official egg products plant) an d to assure that the 
eggs sold to consumers are properly labeled and documented, and contain no more restricted eggs than permitted in the standards for U.S. Consumer Grade B shell eggs and ( 7 CFR part 57
).  AMS notifies FDA when applications are made to import table 
eggs into the United States and before releasing any lots of table eggs for domestic commerce.   AMS also ensures imported  eggs originate from  foreign farms that are 
registered with FDA in accordance with 
21 CFR 118.11  and are refrigerated in 
accordance with 21 CFR 118.4(e) .   
An application to import shell eggs into the U.S. must be made to AMS on Form LPS -
222 and be accompanied by a foreign health certificate.   Import details for shell eggs 
can be found at: AMS Website .  
Pharmaceutical Products Derived from Livestock and Imported into the U .S 
The U.S. FDA has jurisdiction over imported pharmaceutical commodit ies (e.g., insulin 
from the pancreas of cattle and swine) that are derived from livestock and not covered 
by the Federal meat, poultry and egg products inspection laws.  
Q & As on the U.S. FDA Import Program for insulin from livestock for personal use:  
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm17390
9.htm  
  21 
 FSIS Contact Information for Import Inspection  
 
For FSIS, Office of Field Operations, RMTAD Import, please contact : 
USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service  
Office of Field Operations  
Recall Management Technical Analysis Division (RMTAD Import) 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW  
Room 2137 South Building  
Washington, D.C.  20250- 3700  
Phone: (202) 720- 9904  
Fax: (202) 720- 6050  
RMTAD e -mail: ImportInspection@fsis.usda.gov  
 For FSIS, Office  of Field Operations, District Offices, please see the link below 
and on the next page the District Office Map with locations of official import inspection establishments:  
 
District Offices : http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/informational/districtoffices
 
 
For FSIS, Office of Policy and Program Development, IEPDS, please contact:  
 
USDA, Food Saf ety and Inspection Service  
Office of Policy and Program Development  
Import/Export Policy Development Staff (IEPDS)  1400 Independence Avenue, SW  
Room 2925 South Building  
Washington, D.C.  20250- 3700  
Phone: (202) 690- 4354  
Fax: (202) 720- 4929  
 22 
 FSIS District Map: Official Import Inspection Establishment  Locations  
   
FSIS Office of Field Operations, District Offices   
 
Alameda District Office, ALAMEDA, CA  
States: Arizona, Califo rnia, Nevada 
620 Central Avenue  
Building 2C  
Alameda, CA 94501  
Phone: (510) 337- 5000  
Fax: (510) 337- 5081  
Emergency 24- Hour: 1 -866-729-9307  
 
Atlanta District Office, ATLANTA, GA  
States: Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virgin Islands  
100 Alabama St., SW; Bldg. 1924  
Suite 3R90  
Atlanta, GA 30303  
Phone: (404) 562- 5900  
Fax: (404) 562- 5877  
Emergency 24- Hour: 1 -800-282-7005  
 
Chicago District Office, CHICAGO, IL  States: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio  
23 
 1919 South Highland Avenue  
Suite 115C  
Lombard, IL 60148  
Phone: (630) 620- 7474  
Fax: (630) 620- 7599  
24-Hour Emergency: (630) 544- 9805 or (630) 544- 9886  
 
Dallas District Office, DALLAS, TX  
States: Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas  
1100 Commerce Street  
Room 516  
Dallas, TX 75242  
Phone: (214) 767- 9116  
Fax: (214) 767- 8230  
24-Hour Emergency: (214) 767- 9116  
 
Denver District Office, DENVER, CO  
States: Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Northern Mariana Islands, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming  
1 Denver Federal Center   
Bldg. 45, Door S3  
P.O. Box 25387  
Denver, CO   80225  
Phone: (303) 236- 9800  
Fax: (303) 236- 9794  
24-Hour Emergency: (303) 236- 9800  
 
Des Moines District Office, DES MOINES, IA  
States: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin  
Room 985, Federal B uilding  
210 Walnut Street  
Des Moines, IA 50309  
Phone: (515) 727- 8960 or 1- 800-990-9834  
Fax: (515) 727- 8992  
24-Hour Emergency: (515)727- 8960  
 
Jackson District Office, JACKSON, MS  States: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee  
713 South Pear Orchard Road  
Suite 402  
Ridgeland, MS 39157  
Phone: (601) 965- 4312  
Fax: (601) 965- 5901  
24-Hour Emergency: 1 -800-647-2484  
 
 
Philadelphia District Office, PHILADELPHIA, PA  
States: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ver mont  24 
 U.S. Department of Agriculture 
Mellon Independence Center  
701 Market Street, Suite 4100A  
Philadelphia, PA 19106 Phone: (215) 597- 4219  
Fax: (215) 597- 4217  
24-Hour Emergency: 1 -800-637-6681, enter 6  
 
Raleigh District Office, RALEIGH, NC  
States: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia  
6020 Six Forks Road  
Raleigh, NC 27609  
Phone: (919) 844- 8400 or 1- 800-662-7608  
Fax: (919) 844- 8411  
24-Hour Emergency: (919) 844- 8400  
 
Springdale District Office, SPRINGDAL E, AR  
States: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri  
Country Club Center  
Bldg. B, Suite 201  
4700 South Thompson  
Springdale, AR 72764  
Phone: (479) 751- 8412  
Fax: (479) 751- 9049  
24-Hour Emergency: (479) 751- 8412
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 Import Inspection Resources  
 
FSIS homepage : http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/home  
 
FSIS Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory, includes official import inspection establishments:
 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/inspection/mpi -directory  
 FSIS website on importing meat, poultry, or egg products to the United States:  
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international -affairs/importing -products
 
 Eligible Countries, Products, and Foreign Establishments:  
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international -affairs/importing -
products/eligible- countries -products -foreign- establishments  
 
FSIS Public Health Information System (PHIS): https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/inspection/phis
 
 PHIS Import Component Information: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international -affairs/importing -
products/phis -import -component  
 Level 2 eAuth: How to obtain a Level 2 USDA eAuthentication account
 
 
FSIS Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set Compliance Guide  
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/98c45f3c -8a5b- 47d7- 9907 -
2fdc7352547f/Data_Samples_Guidelines_PGA_Message_Set.pdf?MOD=AJPERES  
 FSIS Directives, 9000 series, address t he import of meat, poultry, and egg products.  
Directives provide communications to FSIS personnel in carrying out their functions.  
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/directives/9000- series
 
FSIS Form 9540- 1, Import Inspection Application:  FSIS Form 9540 -1, Import Inspection 
Application (Meat, Poultry and Egg Products),  dated 2/26/2014 . 
FSIS Product Categorization Chart: FSIS  Product Categorization Chart (5/18/2016)  
  
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http://askfsis.custhelp.com/  
   
 
 
 
 
FSIS/USDA  
www.fsis.usda.gov  
2017