USDA Agricultural 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.
aaa Marketing Room 2747-S, STOP 0230
Service Washington, DC 20250-0225

February 16, 2017
TO: U.S. Dairy Exporters

SUBJECT: Columbia Sanitary Export Certificates

Exporters Must Register and Participate in Web-based Training to Utilize USDA’s Electronic
Trade Document Exchange (eTDE) System for Colombia Sanitary Export Certificates.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has enhanced the Electronic Document Creation
System (eDOCs) to include the issuance of Colombia Sanitary Export Certificates. eDOCs
works in conjunction with the Electronic Trade Document Exchange (eTDE) system, and prior to
utilizing these systems all users must register for eTDE which includes physically going to your
nearest USDA Service Center office with a government-issued ID to prove your identity. U.S.
exporters must obtain a Level 2 USDA E-Authentication account in order to access the eDOCs
application system and view the final certificates on eTDE. A link to registration instructions is
on the second page of this letter.

eDOCs allows the dairy industry to request a Colombia Sanitary Export Certificate using a
secure web-based service. AMS Dairy Program will electronically review and approve each
request. Certificates created in eDOCs flow automatically to eTDE, so that the foreign port
authorities and U.S. exporters can view the electronic certificates online.

Deployment of eDOCs improves business efficiencies throughout the government and dairy
industry. The eDOCs application system allows exporters to create up to 60 custom templates
and re-use some data from old certificates, eliminating the need to input all data with each new
certificate request resulting in cost and time savings. AMS will continue to issue paper health
certificates until Colombia advises that electronic certificates are sufficient.

Where can the Industry Receive Assistance and Training to Facilitate a Smooth
Transition?

AMS has developed several resources to assist the industry during this interim period. You can
find information on how to register with USDA and access this system at

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/imports-exports/dairy-exports. However, before using
eDOCs, you must register for eTDE. You can find information on registration at


http://www.etde.usda.gov/eTDEHelpCenter_Dairy.aspx. Each individual that requests
certificates should obtain their own individual log-in and password to eTDE. There can be more

than one login per company and there is no cost to register.

AMS/Information Technology Services (ITS) is hosting the eTDE / eDOCs systems and is the
Subject Matter Expert (SME) for these Trade applications. The eTDE / eDOCs demo and
briefing sessions will be conducted by USDA/ITS. Please contact
Fariba.Tacoukjou@ams.usda.gov for issues and questions with eTDE and eDOCs.

Sign up for eTDE and eDOCs Webinar Training

Training sessions are offered on both eTDE and the eDOCs application systems Thursdays or
Fridays at 4pm EST (days and times are subject to change). To register, please e-mail the USDA
AMS National Field Office (dairynfo@ams.usda.gov). Registration will be first-come, first
served, and spots in each session are limited.

We appreciate feedback you might have on this new system. It is our pleasure to continue
serving your needs and we are working every day to improve this process. AMS is expanding
this technology to other importing countries.

With warm regards,
Yee T

William Frances
Acting Director, Dairy Grading and Standardization Division
Dairy Program, Agricultural Marketing Service