1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Room 2747-S, STOP 0230

Washington, DC 20250-0225

August 5, 2016

TO: U.S. Dairy Exporters

SUBJECT: Exporters Must Register and Participate in Web-based Training to Utilize USDA’s 

Electronic Trade Document Exchange (eTDE) System for Chile Sanitary Export Certificate

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has enhanced the Electronic Document Creation 

System (eDOCs) to include the issuance of Chile Sanitary Export Certificate. 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 Chile Sanitary Export Certificate using a secure 

web-based service. AMS Dairy Programs 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 60 customer 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 Chile advises that electronic certificates are sufficient, but we are transitioning 

in that direction with eTDE.

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
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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 at the point 

of expanding this technology to other importing countries.

With warm regards,

William Frances

Acting Director, Dairy Grading and Standardization Division

Dairy Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service