United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Directive 9180.85 December 27, 2017

Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: FMD PPMAB

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited 

bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TDD).

To file a complaint, write to the USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity 

employer.

INCLUDING A FOREIGN MATERIAL STATEMENT ON FGIS 921-2 FOR 

SOYBEAN SHIPMENTS TO CHINA 

Contents

INCLUDING A NOTATION ON FGIS 921-2 FOR SOYBEAN SHIPMENTS TO CHINA WHEN 

FOREIGN MATERIAL CONTENT EXCEEDS 1.0 PERCENT ................................................1

1. PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................2

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS ............................................................................................2

3. AUTHORITY .........................................................................................................................2

4. POLICY ................................................................................................................................2

5. QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................................2
FGIS Directive 9180.85 December 27, 2017

Page 2

1. PURPOSE

This directive transmits instructions for placing a notation in the “Remarks” section of 

FGIS 921-2 (Inspection Report-Insects in Grain) for soybean shipments to China.

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This is a new directive.

3. AUTHORITY

The United States and China agreed to implement a systems approach for U.S. 

soybeans exported to China. This approach includes all participants in the supply chain 

from the farms and export terminals in the United States and ports of entry in China. 

The systems approach includes best agricultural practices, such as weed control and 

cleaning at the farm; USDA soybean sampling and analysis for foreign material; and 

phytosanitary inspection and certification at the export terminal. This systems approach 

is effective on January 1, 2018.

4. POLICY

a. This policy applies to both vessels and containerized lots of soybeans.

b. Unless specifically stated otherwise on the load order, sampling and foreign 

material analysis of soybeans are conducted according to the regulations and 

instructions. 

c. Depending on the certificate result, include one of the following statements in the

“Remarks” section of FGIS 921-2 (Inspection Report-Insects in Grain): 

1. If foreign material content exceeds 1.0% - “This consignment exceeds 1%

FM.”

2. If foreign material is less than or equal to 1.0% - “This consignment is less 

than or equal to 1% FM.”

d. This policy is effective beginning January 1, 2018, for all soybean shipments to 

China, P.R.C. (Mainland).

Note: Shipments completed after 12:00am on January 1, 2018, are subject to this 

policy. 

5. QUESTIONS

Please direct any questions regarding this Directive to the Policies, Procedures, and 

Market Analysis Branch at (202) 720-0228.