APHIS eFile

Guidance for Submitting a VS 17-129 Permit Application

Application for 17-135 permit to import or transit live animals, 

including germplasm and hatching eggs

Version 2.0

March 2022
WELCOME! 

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services has a new online website to request Live Animal 

permits. This user guide will take you through the process of creating and submitting a 

17-129 Live Animals permit application. 

For more APHIS eFile VS 17-129 support materials:

Check out our "How to" playlist on the APHIS YouTube Channel

Review this and other User Guides online on the APHIS eFile Training Page
3

I AM AN APPLICANT

I want to apply for a Live Animals import/transit permit

Before you apply for your Live Animal permits it is important to note that if your application results in a permit, you will see two 

different numbers associated with the permit. 

Permit Numbers: 

1. Ref # - System Generated Permit Record Number (P-00001234)

• This number is the Record ID number that is autogenerated when a permit has been created. This is not a smart 

number, and does not represent the year, permit type, or any additional information. 

2. Permit # - APHIS Permit Number (6##-21-201-00015)

• This is the number on your permit and the number that VS will reference.

• The format of this number is: Program Prefix-Calendar Year-Ordinal Day-Sequential Number

• The Program Prefix indicates the type of permit.
4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Use the VS Permitting Assistant (VSPA) to create your request

Page 5

Complete and submit your application(s)

Page 11

Amend eFile Permits

Page 20

Withdraw an application (When applicable)

Page 21
5

Step 1: Sign in to eFile

Navigate to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/ in Google Chrome (eFile is not 

supported by Internet Explorer).

• Sign in to eFile using your eAuthentication credentials.

• If you are not eAuthenticated, select Create an Account and 

follow the steps to become eAuthenticated. You must be 

eAuthenticated to apply in APHIS eFile.

• Under the Ready to Apply section, choose the VS 17-129 application 

and then select Get Started.

• The VS 17-129: Application to import or transit live animals, 

including germplasm (semen, ova, embryos, cloning tissue) and 

hatching eggs.

• In the pop-up window, read the Application Process and select 

Proceed to VS Permitting Assistant.

A

A

B

B

C
Step 2: Complete the Permitting Assistant

Complete the Permitting Assistant to begin the application process. 

• Enter your commodity’s details into the appropriate search fields.

• Select the Search button to search for your material.

Note: Repeat steps A-B for all live animals you wish to import/transit. The VSPA will organize them into the appropriate applications.

Select the “i” icons 

to reveal tool tips

A

B

Use the “See List” hyperlinks to view 

6

A

lists of your options

B

SEARCH PAGE
7

Step 2: Complete the Permitting Assistant SEARCH PAGE

• Select the Attribute Filters to refine your material search results.

Note: For best results complete ALL attribute filters from top to bottom order until there is only ONE result. Some of 

the filters are selection-order dependent, meaning that your first selection may limit which filters you can select next.

A

A

Select the “i” icons 

to reveal tool tips

B• Once you’ve completed all the attributes and only one Step 3 card remains, select Add Commodity.

B
8

Step 2: Complete the Permitting Assistant SEARCH PAGE

To remove a commodity, select the Remove 

Commodity button.

To add additional commodities, edit any of the 

search fields and repeat the process. 

Note: If you are moving several animals that can 

be described by the same Step 3 card, you will 

only add the commodity once in the VSPA and you 

will be able to provide the individual animal 

identification information as part of the application.

• Once you’ve added all your commodities, 

proceed to your Application Summary by 

selecting the Shopping Cart icon or the View 

Summary button.

A

A

A
9

Step 2: Complete the Permitting Assistant SUMMARY PAGE

The materials you have added have been sorted into categories:

Permit Applications – Commodities listed in this section require 

Permit applications. The materials have been sorted onto the 

appropriate number of applications. 

No Permit Required but Conditions Apply – Commodities 

listed in this section do not require a permit application but may 

have additional conditions (i.e., a required certificate).

Inadmissible – Commodities listed in this section are not 

allowed for import or transit.

Select each tab to view the results in that category. 
10

Step 2: Complete the Permitting Assistant SUMMARY PAGE

• To add more commodities, select Go Back 

and Add More Materials.

• To delete a commodity from your summary 

request, select the trashcan icon.

• When applicable, review required 

documentation or download all letters by 

selecting the View Letter button associated 

with each material.

• To send yourself a copy of this request 

summary, enter your email into the field and 

select Send.

• Once you have reviewed all your results, select 

Proceed to Applications to continue to submit 

your application(s). If you are not already 

logged in, the button will be called Proceed to 

Log In and you will be prompted to log in. 

A

B

C

D

D

C

A

B

E

E
11

Step 3: Proceed to Application(s) from VSPA

If your Application Summary resulted in more than one application, you will see the Split Application Notice that lists each resulting 

application and its associated commodities. 

• If you are in more than one organization account in APHIS eFile, use the drop-down to select your Sharing Organization. 

• Select I Understand & Continue to proceed to application.

• You will be sent to the My Activity page. Your most recent application(s) will be at the top of the list. To go to your application 

select Go to Draft.

B

A

B

A

C

C
12

Step 4: Identify Responsible Parties Importer

Applicant Details

• Confirm that your information on the Contact Card 

is correct. To have your Company name display on 

the permit, edit your contact and add your 

Company name in the Organization field.

• Answer the required questions to indicate whether 

you will be the importer and the delivery recipient. 

• If you select no to either section, you will need to add importer and/or delivery recipient contact information in additional 

sections of the page.

Emergency Contact Details

• Use the Contact Cards to select your Emergency Contact(s).

• To find a contact you have previously used, enter the 

contact’s name, company, or email into the search bar or use the 

page arrows to manually search.

B

A

A

B

C

C
13

Step 5: Identify Shipper Shipper

Shipper Details

• Use the Contact Cards to select your Shipper.

• To find a contact you have previously used, enter the contact’s name, company, or email into the search bar or use the 

page arrows to manually search.

• To create a new contact, select the Create New Contact button. 

A

A
14

Step 6: Enter Transportation Information Transportation

Travel Plan Details

• Select your Mode(s) of Transport.

• Depending on your selections, you may

be required to enter additional

Incoming Airline or Vessel

information.

• Enter your Proposed Dates.

A

B

Route of Travel Details

• Use the Route of Travel tables to detail your route of travel. You must

include each stop in order, starting with Origin and ending with Final

destination. Be sure to list all stops and countries enroute.

• Use the Pencil icons to edit the existing stops.

• Use the Add Additional buttons to add new stops.

• Use the arrows to reorder your stops.

C

A

B

C

If this is a transit application, there will be an additional table called 

Within the U.S. 
15

Step 7: Enter Commodity Details

Commodities Details

• Enter all details about your live animals.

• Select Add Another Commodity to go back and add more live

animals to your application.

• Enter the quantity.

• Enter the Individual Animal ID.

• Add any supporting documentation.

• Add any additional information.

• Use the tabs on the left to switch between each of your live

animals. You will need to complete all the above sections for each

of your animals.

• If you need to go back to the VSPA and add another animal, use the Add Another Commodity button. This button is not how

you would indicate the quantity of an animal.

A A

Commodities

Select VS Permitting Assistant 

Selections to view additional 

information about your commodity
16

Step 8: Enter Quarantine Information Quarantine

Quarantine Facility Details

Note: Based on your selections in the VSPA, the Quarantine section will display when applicable. Proceed to the 

Documents section if you do not see the Quarantine section. 

• Use the Quarantine Facilities table to detail the facilities you will using to quarantine your commodities. The facilities 

must be in the U.S. and have a physical address.

• Use the Pencil icon to edit the existing facilities and add details. The type of pre-populated facility will vary depending 

on your specific application. 

• Follow the prompts in the pop-up windows to enter all the details of your quarantine facility. 

A

1

2

1

2
17

Step 9: Upload Documents Documents

Supporting Documentation

• Select Add New File to upload any supporting 

documentation you believe would be beneficial for 

your application. 

• If you have no files to upload, select the “I 

don’t have any files to upload” checkbox. 

Additional Information

A

• Enter any additional information you believe 

would be helpful in the review of your application in 

the Additional Information field. 

B

A

B
18

Step 10: Review, Certify, and Proceed to Payment Review and Submit

Review Application Sections

• Review your data in each of the sections.

• To edit your data, select the Edit button associated with that section. You will be taken back to that page of the application.

Confirm Information & Submit

• Once you are ready to submit your application, 

read the certification statement and select the 

“I certify...” checkbox.

• If you would like to add additional recipients, 

other than yourself, to receive a copy of the 

issued permit, select the checkbox and use the 

contact cards to indicate the additional 

recipients. 

• Note: These contacts will not display on 

the permit. 

C

A

C

B B

C
19

Step 11: Pay the Processing Fee Payment

Payment

• Select your payment method and pay the application processing fee.

• You will receive a receipt of payment once VS initiates the application review process. 

A

A
20

I want to amend an eFile permit

I AM AN APPLICANT

Navigate to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/ in Google Chrome (eFile is not supported by Internet Explorer).

• Log in to eFile using your eAuthentication credentials. 

• Select the My Activity tab and update the Display recent drop-down to View All.

• Use the search bar or filters to find the permit you want to amend.

• Only issued permits are eligible to be amended.

A

B

C

B

Note: If approved, your amended permit will keep the same APHIS permit number (6##-20-205-1234). 

D Select the More Actions drop-down and choose Amend Permit.
21

I AM AN APPLICANT

I want to Withdraw my Application

• To withdraw an application, navigate to your My 

Activity page and select the View Details 

associated with the application you would like to 

withdraw. 

• On the Application Details page, select Withdraw 

Application. 

• In the pop-up window, select the Reason for 

Withdrawal drop-down and choose your reason 

for withdrawing. 

• When you are done, select Submit. 

Once you submit, your withdrawal will be pending 

APHIS approval. Once APHIS approves your request, 

your application will be withdrawn. 

A

A

B

C

D

B

C

D
22

APPENDIX

System Setup

• Compatible browser – For the best user experience, please use

Google Chrome. Other available browsers include Firefox, Safari, and

Edge. eFile is NOT supported by Internet Explorer.

• Emails – Add the APHIS eFile email at aphis.efile@usda.gov and

support@salesforce.com to your address book so that any automatic

emails are not sent to junk

• Zoom –100%

Contact

If you require assistance with your applications, please contact:

Veterinary Services

(301) 851 3300

vs.live.animals.import.permits@usda.gov

If you require technical assistance, please contact:

Help Desk

help@usda.gov