The Veterinary Export 

Health Certification 

System (VEHCS) 

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO USING VEHCS 

last updated Jan 2024
 

 

Table of Contents 

Click on text to view section 

• About VEHCS...slide 3 

• Types of VEHCS health certificates...slide 16 

• Paying the endorsement fee for a VEHCS health certificate...slide 22 

• How to receive the endorsed health certificate (digitally and non-digitally endorsed health certificates)...slide 28 

• Getting started in VEHCS...slide 31 

• VEHCS Organizations (connecting with your colleagues in VEHCS)...slide 43

• How to issue and submit a Defined certificate for endorsement, and how to either print or provide a pre-paid express shipping label to

obtain the endorsed certificate...slide 56

• How to determine when an AV PDF Upload certificate is required, how to issue and submit for endorsement, and how to either print or

provide a pre-paid express shipping label to obtain the endorsed certificate...slide 87

• Transits: when an animal travels through another country before arriving in the destination country...slide 111

•If your USDA Endorsement Office returns a submission for correction...slide 113

• Reissuing endorsed health certificates...slide 116

• Reusing Consignor and Consignee information...slide 126

• Additional VEHCS resources...slide 134
About VEHCS 

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What is VEHCS? 

VEHCS is USDA APHIS’s online, secure electronic system for the creation, issuance (complete, sign, 

date), submission and endorsement of hardcopy health certificates for international export of live

animals and germplasm from the United States to foreign countries.

VEHCS allows USDA Accredited Veterinarians (AVs) to issue and electronically sign health 

certificates through the secure server after logging in with their login credentials. VEHCS also 

allows an AV’s Support Staff and Exporters to prepare health certificates for the AV to issue and 

electronically sign.

• Login credentials are used to identify yourself online and access certain USDA systems.

• Login credentials cannot be shared between individuals. USDA Accredited Veterinarians who share their

login credentials with others may be subject to accreditation violations.

• For more information: https://www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/usda/home

Once signed, the health certificate and supporting documentation for the submission are submitted

electronically by the AV via VEHCS to USDA APHIS for review and endorsement; thereby eliminating

the time and shipping expense required to send the hard copy to your USDA Endorsement Office.

• NOTE: a printed hardcopy of the endorsed health certificate must still accompany all animals when they travel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why use VEHCS? 

By using VEHCS, you can save time and money by instantaneously submitting your 

international export health certificate to your USDA Endorsement Office instead of 

express shipping or driving a health certificate to the office.

◦ For countries accepting USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement, additional time and money are saved

by allowing the AV to print the endorsed health certificate from VEHCS.

◦ Keep in mind, your USDA Endorsement Office still needs to review the health certificate after it is

submitted, so the time from receipt to endorsement is the same as for paper health certificates.

VEHCS can also help minimize errors by walking the AV through the issuance process.

◦ If the AV makes a mistake, he/she can quickly correct the health certificate and return it to the

USDA Endorsement Office.

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When can VEHCS be used? 

USDA APHIS accepts health certificates electronically signed by AVs when issued and 

submitted through VEHCS for animals eligible to travel to another country for all

destination countries.

This means VEHCS can be used instead of submitting a hardcopy health certificate for 

endorsement.

With a few exceptions, it is not mandatory to use VEHCS.

• The USDA APHIS International Regulations (IRegs) web page and the USDA APHIS Pet Travel 

Website (PTW) will state if VEHCS must be used. 

• It remains acceptable to continue to issue paper health certificates. 

• But do not issue both a paper and VEHCS health certificate. Only one option may be used. 

• It is against the policy of USDA APHIS and the World Organisation for Animal Health to have more than one endorsed

health certificate in existence at the same time for an animal’s movement to another country. 

• Always remember, regardless of how the health certificate is issued, a printed, paper hardcopy of 

the endorsed health certificate must accompany all animals when they travel. 

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When can VEHCS be used? 

While VEHCS can be used to issue and submit any health certificate requiring USDA APHIS endorsement,

not every destination country will allow USDA APHIS to digitally endorse the health certificate in VEHCS.

If a destination country accepts USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement, your USDA Endorsement Office will 

digitally endorse the health certificate in VEHCS. 

• The AV, or anyone else who can access the VEHCS health certificate, must print the endorsed health 

certificate from VEHCS and provide it to the animal’s owner/broker so it can accompany the animal 

when shipped. 

If a destination country does not accept USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement, your USDA Endorsement 

Office will print the health certificate from VEHCS and wet-ink sign it. 

• Because the paper hardcopy of the endorsed health certificate must accompany the animal when 

shipped, a pre-paid return shipping label must be uploaded as an attachment when the AV submits 

the health certificate in VEHCS. Your USDA Endorsement Office will send the hardcopy endorsed 

health certificate back with that shipping label so it can accompany the animal when shipped. 

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Determining use of VEHCS by country 

Each country page on the USDA APHIS International Regulations for Live Animal 

Exports (IRegs) and USDA APHIS Pet Travel Website (PTW) contain color-coded 

banners to indicate a destination country’s acceptance of VEHCS. 

The color-coded banners USDA created for VEHCS are summarized as follows: 

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Deciphering the VEHCS banner colors 

Red banners mean VEHCS use is not allowed. You must issue a 

traditional paper health certificate (wet ink signature and date of signing) 

and overnight ship or hand deliver to the USDA Endorsement Office for 

review and endorsement. 

At this time, there are not any countries with this VEHCS banner status. 

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Deciphering the VEHCS banner colors 

Orange banners mean VEHCS may be used to issue the health certificate, but your USDA 

Endorsement Office must print the health certificate from VEHCS to physically endorse 

it. The endorsed health certificate cannot be printed from VEHCS to accompany the 

animal; the endorsed paper health certificate is shipped back with the return label the AV 

uploaded into VEHCS with the certificate submission. The endorsed hardcopy health 

certificate must travel with the animal. 

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Deciphering the VEHCS banner colors 

Green banners mean VEHCS may be used to electronically issue and digitally 

endorse the health certificate for all commodities. This means the AV will print 

the endorsed health certificate from VEHCS and provide it to the owner/broker 

to accompany the animal when shipped. 

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Deciphering the VEHCS banner colors 

Endorsement Office’s digital endorsement, are commodity-specific. If use of VEHCS is allowed: 

Yellow banners mean the use of VEHCS to issue the health certificate, and your USDA 

◦ If your USDA Endorsement Office can digitally endorse, the AV will print the endorsed health certificate from

VEHCS and provide it to the owner/broker to accompany the animal when shipped. 

◦ If your USDA Endorsement Office must physically endorse, it cannot be printed from VEHCS to accompany 

the animal when shipped. The endorsed paper health certificate is mailed back with the completed 

shipping label the AV uploaded into VEHCS with the certificate submission. The paper endorsed health 

certificate must travel with the animal. 

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Deciphering the VEHCS banner colors 

Purple banners mean VEHCS may be used to issue the health certificate, but your USDA 

Endorsement Office’s digital endorsement is commodity-specific. 

◦ If your USDA Endorsement Office can digitally endorse, the AV will print the endorsed health certificate from

VEHCS and provide it to the owner/broker to accompany the animal when shipped. 

◦ If your USDA Endorsement Office must physically endorse, the health certificate cannot be printed from 

VEHCS to accompany the animal when shipped. The endorsed hardcopy health certificate is returned using

the shipping label the AV uploaded into VEHCS with the certificate submission. The endorsed hardcopy health 

certificate must accompany the animal. 

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VEHCS banners: helpful information 

In addition to stating whether or not VEHCS may be used to issue and digitally endorse a 

health certificate, orange, green, yellow, and purple VEHCS banners also contain 

helpful reminders and links to accessing VEHCS and the VEHCS Help Page, including

this step-by-step guide:

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VEHCS banners: when they don’t apply 

Not every country requires USDA APHIS endorsement of a health 

certificate for every species or commodity.

If USDA APHIS endorsement of the health certificate is not required,

the health certificate should not be submitted to your USDA 

Endorsement Office.

The VEHCS banners are just to communicate the level of VEHCS use, 

if endorsement of the health certificate is required.

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The types of VEHCS

health certificates 

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What VEHCS health certificates look like 

There are three ways in which a health certificate can be issued in VEHCS. 

These three types of health certificates are:

1. VEHCS Defined 

2. VEHCS Universal 

3. AV PDF Upload 

When you initiate the health certificate’s creation in VEHCS, the system will 

indicate which health certificate format is used. 

Of the three types of certificates, the Defined and AV PDF Upload are the most 

common.

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The types of health certificates 

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Defined certificates walk you through issuance of the health certificate step-by-step, with 

buttons and check boxes to select the applicable option for the animal(s), so that you only need 

to input the shipment-specific data. This type of health certificate also gives the option to save 

some of the health certificate information for future travel if saved as a template. 
 

 

 

 

The types of health certificates 

When a Defined version of the health certificate is unavailable in VEHCS, you will likely use the 

AV PDF Upload, which uses the traditional health certificate from the IRegs and PTW but is 

uploaded within VEHCS as a PDF file. 

◦ We prefer that you complete the health certificate by saving a copy from the IRegs or PTW, reopening 

the file in Adobe, completing within Adobe, saving the completed health certificate, and then uploading 

the file. This avoids any issues in formatting and saves you time by not printing the health certificate to 

complete by hand and scan back into your computer. 

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The types of health certificates 

The AV has four options for signing an AV PDF Upload health certificate. The AV 

may sign by:

1. Electronically signing the signature field of the health certificate with Adobe’s 

electronic signature function 

2. Typing “Electronically signed” in the signature field of the health certificate 

3. Typing his/her name in a cursive-type font in the signature field of the health 

certificate 

4. Printing the completed health certificate to wet-ink sign the signature field and 

then scanning the health certificate back into a PDF. (Least preferred option.) 

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The types of health certificates 

The third type of VEHCS health certificate, Universal, is similar to the Defined in that it is created 

within VEHCS, but this type of certificate requires you to enter all required information from the 

import regulations, including any country-specific required certification statements. 

This type of VEHCS health certificate is rarely used. 

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Paying the endorsement 

fee for a VEHCS health 

certificate 

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Payment is required 

USDA APHIS must charge for its services, including endorsement of international export health certificates. The fee 

for endorsement varies based on the complexity of the health certificate, and thus review required by your USDA

Endorsement Office.

◦ The endorsement fees for pet health certificates can be found here: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/pet-travel-info-and-guidance-document/pet-travel-endorsement 

◦ Please contact your VS Endorsement Office for the cost of endorsement of non-pet health certificates. 

Payment of the fee must be provided within VEHCS before your USDA Endorsement Office can endorse the health 

certificate.

◦ The only exceptions to these fees for endorsement are for service animals (primarily dogs) belonging to individuals with disabilities,

as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (or “ADA”), and military working dogs. 

◦ The AV is responsible for ensuring funds are available in their VEHCS account at the time of submission. However, this can be their 

own funding source or that of their client/exporter (see below). 

There are two options for providing payment in VEHCS:

1. Deposit money into your VEHCS account, with either a credit or debit card, or checking or savings account, under “Financial Management” from the menu bar. 

2. A USDA. APHIS User Fee Credit Account. Enter your credit account number in the "payment method" step when entering your certificate

3. These credit accounts are for individuals or organizations who regularly use services from USDA APHIS. If you are interested in opening a USDA APHIS User Fee 

Credit Account, please contact your VS Endorsement Office. 

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Payment: how to deposit money 

From the VEHCS Welcome screen, click on “Financial Management.”

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Payment: how to deposit money 

Enter amount of money to deposit in “Deposit Amount.” 

Then, select “Add to Balance.”

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Payment: how to deposit money 

You may pay with either a Bank Account or Credit/Debit Card.

Select your method of payment. 

Then, select “Continue” and follow the prompts on the screen.

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Payment: how to deposit money 

If you need additional help, instructions for your selected method of payment 

are available in the Quick Reference Guide “Adding Funds to an Organization’s

Account in VEHCS.”

◦ https://vehcs.aphis.usda.gov/vehcs/faces/support/userguides.html

Regardless of the method of payment used, when your transaction is 

successfully processed, we strongly recommend you print a copy of the page 

for your records. This is your only record of the deposit; you will not receive

email confirmation.

◦ If you ever need to request a refund of your payment, you will need this information to 

initiate the refund. 

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How to receive the 

endorsed health 

certificate 

DIGITALLY AND NON-DIGITALLY ENDORSED HEALTH CERTIFICATES 

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Receiving the endorsed health certificate 

For destination countries that accept USDA APHIS’s digital signature and endorsement 

(green and some commodities under yellow and purple banner countries), the

endorsed health certificate must be printed directly from VEHCS. Unless the AV’s 

Support Staff or Exporter has a VEHCS account, the AV must print the endorsed health 

certificate to accompany the animal during export. 

For destination countries that do not accept USDA APHIS’s digital signature and

endorsement, and are instead wet ink signed and physically embossed (orange and 

some commodities for purple and yellow banner countries), a pre-paid return 

shipping label (e.g., FedEx or UPS) must be uploaded as an attachment when the AV 

submits the health certificate to receive the endorsed health certificate back from

your USDA Endorsement Office.

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If a return shipping label is required 

The return shipping label must be pre-paid, and it cannot contain your USDA

Endorsement Office in the sender/sent from field of the label.

• We recommending using the name and address of the recipient (person the health

certificate is being returned to after endorsement) in both the “sent from” and “sent 

to” fields of the label. 

• Need help with shipping labels? Contact your courier (e.g., FedEx or UPS) for more 

information. 

You will be prompted upload the pre-paid return shipping label as an 

attachment when you create the health certificate. 

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Getting started in 

VEHCS 

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

New users must create a login credential before logging into VEHCS. 

We’ll show you how to start the process in the next slides.

Remember! Each person who logs in must use his/her own credentials (no sharing 

allowed). AVs who share their login credentials with others may be subject to 

accreditation violations. 

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

From the VEHCS website, select “Log In.”

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

Either indicate you are a 

"customer" and log in using your 

USDA eAuthentication or 

Login.gov credentials if you 

already have this 

OR 

create a new account (all new 

credentials are login.gov 

credentials)

• Help resources are available on the top of

the page.

• Or, you may contact the login credential

Help Desk

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

Once you have created yourlogin credential, return to VEHCS and select “Log In.” Use 

your login credentials to log in as a customer when prompted. 

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

If you are not joining a pre-existing VEHCS Organization, select “Create Business Organization”

under “Option 1” to create a new VEHCS Organization.

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

In the next screen, enter your user 

information.

Then, select “Next.”

If you are an AV, it is your responsibility to 

maintain current License and Accreditation

information in VEHCS by entering in

renewal information. • VEHCS will not permit you to issue a health

certificate if either your License or

Accreditation expire. 

All users, remember to keep your contact 

information up to date since this is how

your USDA Endorsement Office will contact

you.

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

In the next screen, enter your organization’s information and select “Submit” to complete the 

registration.

Remember to keep your organization’s contact information up to date since this is how your

USDA Endorsement Office will contact you.

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

If you are joining a pre-existing VEHCS Organization, enter the unique PIN the organization 

created for you in VEHCS and select “Join.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

In the next screen, enter your user 

information.

Then, select “Next.”

If you are an AV, it is your responsibility to

maintain current License and Accreditation

information in VEHCS by entering in

renewal information. • VEHCS will not permit you to issue a health

certificate if either your License or

Accreditation expire. 

All users, remember to keep your contact 

information up to date since this is how

your USDA Endorsement Office will contact

you.

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

You are now logged into VEHCS and 

will be taken to the “Welcome”

screen. 

From the “Welcome” screen, you 

can:

• Read important information, alerts, 

notifications, and system updates/

maintenance from USDA APHIS in 

“Notices"

• Read system messages in “System

Generated Messages” 

• Download Excel spreadsheets for 

uploading animal information into 

VEHCS for certain animals to certain 

countries from “Spreadsheets” 

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Logging into VEHCS for the first time 

From the “Welcome” screen, you 

can also:

• Start a new health certificate

from scratch in “New Certificate”

or with previously saved

information in “From Saved

Template”

• Create or manage template data

in

“Manage/Create Template Data”

• Deposit funds into VEHCS or

check your account balance in

“Financial Management”

• Review past financial

transactions in “View Reports”

• Review previously issued health

certificates, including endorsed

health certificates in “View

Certificates”

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VEHCS Organizations 

CONNECTING WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES IN VEHCS 

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

Similar to how an AV’s support staff or an exporter may help the AV initiate the completion of

a paper health certificate, these groups may also begin the completion of a VEHCS health 

certificate.

If an AV’s support staff or exporter prepares the VEHCS health certificate, AVs must

remember: as the USDA Accredited Veterinarian, you remain solely responsible for ensuring 

the VEHCS health certificate is accurately and fully completed!

Only USDA Accredited Veterinarians may submit VEHCS health certificates.

◦ Only USDA Accredited Veterinarians may initiate, and submit, reissued health certificates. 

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

The three roles available in VEHCS are an AV, an AV Support Staff, and Exporter.

• AVs within the same veterinary organization can join the same VEHCS Organization. 

• AV Support Staff should join the same VEHCS Organization as their AV(s). 

• Exporters create their own VEHCS Organization, which an AV can join. However, Exporters cannot join 

an AV’s VEHCS Organization. 

Whether or not an AV Support Staff or Exporter are in the same VEHCS Organization as the AV 

matters because VEHCS currently does not allow AV Support Staff and Exporters to provide AV 

PDF Upload certificates to AVs outside of their organization, which VEHCS refers to as

“External Accredited Veterinarian.”

◦ USDA APHIS is working to make this an option. When this becomes possible in VEHCS, this note will be 

removed. 

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

To add a new member to your VEHCS Organization, the Organization member

with Admin Privileges must first add the new member to the VEHCS 

Organization.

This user has Admin Privileges and can add new members to the VEHCS Organization. 

Then, each joining member must create his/her own login credential.

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

The VEHCS Organization member with Administrative Privileges selects “Manage Account” in 

the top right corner of the “Welcome” screen.

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

Select “Organization Account Information For:” your organization in the “Manage Account” 

screen

Click “Next.”

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

Select “Add Member to Organization” at the bottom of the “Manage Organization Profile” 

screen.

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

Complete all required fields in the “Member Details” screen and select “Save.”

◦ Don’t forget to make a note of the unique PIN! 

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

Provide the Unique PIN to the member joining your VEHCS organization.

When the new member logs into VEHCS for the first time, he/she must enter the PIN under 

Option 2 to join the existing VEHCS Organization. 

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

When AV Support Staff and Exporters prepare a Defined certificate for an AV within their 

VEHCS Organization, they select “Internal Accredited Veterinarian” and the issuing AV’s name 

from the dropdown menu that opens. They are able to prepare everything except for selecting 

the applicable certification statements. 

When the health certificate is ready for the AV, the AV Support Staff or Exporter saves the 

health certificate as a work in progress.

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

When AV Support Staff and Exporters prepare an AV PDF Upload certificate for an AV within 

their VEHCS Organization, they can do everything to prepare the certificate for submission by

the AV, including uploading the AV’s signed PDF of the health certificate.

When the health certificate is ready for the AV, the AV Support Staff or Exporter saves the 

health certificate as a work in progress for the AV to finish completing the submission.

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

Any funds deposited in VEHCS through Financial Management by one member 

of the organization will be visible by all members of the VEHCS organization.

For health certificates submitted to an “External Accredited Veterinarian,” the 

AV has the option to select the external AV Support Staff or Exporter as the

responsible payer and access their money deposited in VEHCS.

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Connecting to others in VEHCS 

AVs can view the status of a certificate as it progresses through endorsement.

AV Support Staff and Exporters can see the status of certificates within their VEHCS Organization. They can also see 

the status of certificates submitted to an “External Accredited Veterinarian.”

The following are the statuses of certificates in VEHCS: 

◦ Work In Progress: The certificate has been saved but not submitted the USDA Endorsement Office. 

◦ Submitted to AV: The certificate created by an AV Support Staff or Exporter was submitted to an “External Accredited Veterinarian” for completion. 

◦ Returned to Exporter: The certificate that was created by an Exporter and submitted to an “External Accredited Veterinarian” for completion was subsequently returned to the Exporter. The exporter may make changes and resubmit the certificate to the “External 

Accredited Veterinarian.” The Exporter may also delete the certificate. 

◦ Submitted: The certificate has been submitted to the USDA Endorsement Office by the AV. 

◦ Review in Progress: The certificate is in the process of being reviewed at the USDA Endorsement Office. 

◦ Reviewed: The certificate has been reviewed by the USDA Endorsement Office. 

◦ Endorsement in Progress: The certificate is being endorsed by the USDA Endorsement Office. VEHCS has generated the certificate number, applied the endorsing VMO's name and endorsement date. However, the endorsed health certificate is not yet available. 

◦ Completed: The certificate is fully endorsed and available for viewing and printing. 

◦ Returned: The certificate was submitted to the USDA Endorsement Office but then returned to the AV. The AV or AV Support Staff may make changes and the AV may resubmit the certificate. The AV or AV Support Staff may also delete the certificate. Exporters can 

cannot make changes. 

◦ Void: The endorsed certificate was voided by either the AV reissuing the health certificate or the USDA Endorsement Office. 

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Defined Certificates 

HOW TO ISSUE AND SUBMIT A DEFINED CERTIFICATE FOR 

ENDORSEMENT, AND HOW TO EITHER PRINT OR PROVIDE A PRE-PAID 

EXPRESS SHIPPING LABEL TO OBTAIN THE ENDORSED CERTIFICATE 

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Defined certificates 

In the next slides, we will walk you through how a Defined certificate is issued and submitted

for endorsement, including where to upload a pre-paid return shipping label if USDA APHIS’s

digital endorsement is not accepted or how to print the endorsed health certificate if USDA 

APHIS’s digital endorsement is accepted.

The walk-through is via the USDA Accredited Veterinarian role. 

While the example is for a cat traveling to India, the premise is the same for other types of 

animals traveling to other countries and can still be used as a guide. 

If you require assistance with issuing a Defined certificate beyond what is provided here, 

please see the VEHCS Quick Reference Guide on creating a Defined certificate: https://

vehcs.aphis.usda.gov/vehcs/faces/support/userguides.html

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A cat traveling to India 

While reviewing your appointment calendar for the next day, you see your first 

appointment is for a cat traveling to India. 

How should you prepare for this appointment? 

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First, check the PTW for pet cats to India 

1. Visit the USDA APHIS PTW.

2. Select India from the Export dropdown menu.

3. Note the green banner indicating health certificates

submitted by the AV through VEHCS will be digitally

endorsed by USDA APHIS.

4. Follow the import regulations in the dropdown bar for

“Pet Dogs and Cats.”

 

 

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Once you’re ready to start the certificate 

5. Once the cat is compliant with

India’s import regulations and

it’s time to issue the health

certificate, access the VEHCS

website and login to your

account. The link to the VEHCS

website is available within the

PTW’s VEHCS banner.

6. If you are not paying by a USDA

APHIS User Fee Credit Account,

select “Financial Management”

to first deposit money in VEHCS

to pay the endorsement fee.

7. Select “New Certificate” under

“Create Certificate.” 

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Creating the certificate 

8. In the “Certificate Content” 

screen, select “India” from 

the “Destination Country” 

dropdown menu. 

9. The “Commodity Type” and 

“Type of Admission” 

dropdown menus will then 

appear. Select the applicable 

options for this cat from each 

dropdown menu. 

10. Select “Next.” 

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Creating the certificate 

Before we proceed on,

notice that items marked

with a red asterisk (*) are

required fields. 

If a required field is not 

completed, you will not be

allowed to advance to the

next step.

You do not have to

complete a field if it is not

mark required and if that 

information isn’t required by the destination country.

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General information 

11. Complete the required fields

about where the cat is

originating from (i.e., currently

resides).

12. Complete the Consignor (name

and physical address of the

cat’s owner in the U.S.)

information.

13. Complete the Consignee

(name and physical address of

the cat’s owner in India)

information.

All fields marked with a red * are required to be completed. Table of Contents 
 

 

 

General Information

14. Select the name of the AV issuing the health

certificate.

• The available list of AVs is based on the State/

Territory chosen for the animal's origin state.

• After checking the state selection, if the name of the

AV does not appear here, the AV must check that

his/her license and accreditation information is

current in his/her profile from the VEHCS “Welcome” screen’s “Manage Account.” 

• Since this certificate is being issued by an AV, there is

not an option to select an “Internal Accredited

Veterinarian” or “External Accredited Veterinarian,” but if this is certificate was being issued by an AV

Support Staff or Exporter, this is where those options

would appear.

All fields marked with a red * are required to be completed. Table of Contents 
 

General information: consignor 

Table of Contents All fields marked with a red * are required to be completed. 
 

General information: consignee 

Table of Contents All fields marked with a red * are required to be completed. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export & Shipping 

15. Select the “U.S. Port of Departure” 

16. Select the “Estimated Date of Shipment.” 

17. Select the “Means of Transport.” 

18. Click “Next.” 

All fields marked with a red * are required to be completed. Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodities information 

20. Complete the “Number of Rows,” which is 

the total number of animals included in the 

health certificate. Since this is just one cat 

traveling to India, “1” is entered and 

“Generate Rows” selected. 

21. You can either enter in the remaining

required commodity information in the

“Default” fields or you can enter it in the rows that are generated. 

• By entering information that applies to all animals included in a

health certificate, time can be saved by using the “Default”

fields. 

22. Once the required microchip number, breed,

date of birth, sex, color, and coat type and

distinctive markings is entered, record the

number of animals in the health certificate in 

“Total Quantity.” 

23. Click “Next.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements 

24. Select the certification statement check 

boxes. All certification statements need 

to be selected or the system will not

allow you to proceed with submission. 

• Reminder: this page can only be

completed by an AV. AV Support Staff

and Exporters are not allowed to

complete this page. 

25. If a certification statement requires

information to be entered, type the

information into the space provided or

use the calendar that appears for fields

requiring a date. For statements that 

require the applicable statement to be

selected, select the radio button that

applies to the true statement. 

26. Select “Next.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

Certification Tables 

27. For certificates that require additional

information in the certification 

statements, like vaccination

information, that information is

entered through this page. 

28. Click “Edit” to open the page for

entry of the required information.

The page that opens will be similar to

the “Commodities” page in that you

will again need to generate the

number of rows for the table and you 

can enter “Default” information for 

saving time in entry of repeated

information for multiple animals. 

29. Once you have entered the required

information on the next page, you’ll

select “Save” to return to this page

and then select “Next.” 

Table of Contents 
Certification Tables: entering information 

Table of Contents 
 

Attachments 

30. Select “Add Attachment” to upload 

the rabies vaccine certificate that 

supports the rabies vaccination 

entered in “Certification Tables.” 

Table of Contents 
 

Attachments: uploading the file 

31. Select “Browse” to find the rabies vaccine 

certificate from your computer files. The 

file must be in .gif, .jpg, or .pdf. 

32. Select “Rabies Certificate” from the 

dropdown menu to describe the file as the 

rabies vaccine certificate. 

• For uploading other types of required documentation, 

like laboratory reports, or import permits, you’ll select 

the applicable description from the dropdown menu. 

If there is not a pre-populated description, you’ll select 

“Other” and then enter the description in “If Other, 

More Details.” 

33. Select “Upload.” 

All fields marked with a red * are required to be completed. Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachments 

In this example, because India does not require laboratory

testing or an import permit, and because the certificate will be

digitally endorsed by USDA APHIS, no other documents are 

uploaded. But if a laboratory test report or import permit

were required to be uploaded,this iswhere they would be 

attached.

Also, some countries require incorporation of additional 

information beyond whatisprogrammed into theDefined 

certificate. This is known as an addendum, and itwill appear 

as an additional page in the final endorsedhealthcertificate. 

Examples of addendums are silhouette diagrams of a horse, a 

list of animal identification, and laboratory reports that must 

be endorsed by USDA APHIS. In these situations, the 

additional page is uploaded intheAttachments section as 

the Definedhealth certificate is created. If an addendum is 

required,a “Note” appears in the Attachments’ instructions 

to state additional pagesmust beuploaded for incorporation 

into the endorsedhealthcertificate. Your USDA 

Endorsement Office will incorporate the additional pages into the health certificate during endorsement. 

Table of Contents 
 

Attachments 

34. Once all required documents are 

attached to the submission by 

uploading, select “Next.” 

Table of Contents 
 

Shipping Label

35. *not applicable to this India example*. For orange, and some yellow and purple, banner

countries, you will be prompted to upload a prepaid return label. Follow the steps on screen to

upload and attach the label.

Table of Contents 
Payment Method

36. Payment of the User (Endorsement) Fee is required before your certificate can be submitted to your

USDA Endorsement Office. Select the option for how you'll pay the User (Endorsement) Fee.

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary/Submit 

37. The information entered in the previous 

pages is summarized here. You must 

review the information to ensure it is 

accurate and complete. If you need to 

correct any information, select “Edit” on 

the right side of the section. An 

alternative way to view the health 

certificate is by clicking “View Certificate

Draft.” 

Table of Contents 
Summary/Submit 

38. Also review the "Notification Email Addresses" section. Enter email addresses to receive certificate status email

notifications. The recipients will receive email updates when this health certificate is submitted to VS, endorsed by

VS or returned by VS.

Table of Contents 
Summary/Submit 

39. Before the AV can submit the certificate to 

the USDA Endorsement Office, the two

statements must be read and selected to certify that the information is accurate, that laboratory

test reports were uploaded as attachments

(when applicable), that you acknowledge fees

will be charged upon endorsement of the

certificate, and that by submitting the certificate,

you are legally signing the certificate. 

• AV Support Staff and Exporters are not able to select

these statements. 

40. Select “Submit Certificate.” • AV Support Staff and Exporters cannot submit a certificate

for endorsement. Instead, they are given the option to “Save as Work in Progress” for an “Internal Accredited 

Veterinarian” or “Submit to Accredited Veterinarian” for 

an “External Accredited Veterinarian” to complete the

certificate and submit it for endorsement. 

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Successful submission 

If VEHCS identifies that required information was 

not provided, you will receive an error message to

correct the missing information. The certificate 

cannot be submitted until all required information

is provided.

If all required information was provided, the 

certificate is submitted to your USDA Endorsement 

Office. 

Make a note of the tracking number VEHCS 

assigned to the certificate.You will need to provide this information (and the state you are located in)

to your USDA Endorsement Officeif you need to

communicate with them about your certificate.

When the certificate is endorsed, the tracking number will be replaced by the certificate numbe

r.

If you want to save the Consignor, Consignee, and 

Commodity Table (when applicable) information for future exports, select “Save as Template.” 

Otherwise, periodically check VEHCS each business 

day to monitor the statusof your submission. 

VEHCS will also notify the notification email addresses entered on the certificate when the 

certificate is returned for correction or endorsed.

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your USDA Endorsement Office 

Your USDA Endorsement Office will review your certificate and supporting

documentation. 

If everything is in order, the certificate will be endorsed. 

Once the certificate is endorsed, as noted by a VEHCS status of “Completed,” it 

will either be: 

◦ Mailed with the pre-paid shipping label provided in VEHCS if the destination country does not accept USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement.

◦ This is when USDA APHIS must wet ink sign and physically emboss the printed paper health certificate (for orange,

and some commodities for yellow and purple banner countries). 

◦ Ready for you to view and print if the destination country accepts USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement.

This applies to green, and some commodities for yellow and purple, banner countries.

◦ Ensure the printed hardcopy does not contain a “COPY” watermark. 

Regardless of whether or not the certificate is digitally or physically endorsed, a printed, paper hardcopy of the endorsed health certificate must accompany the animal(s) during travel! 

Table of Contents 
Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

To print the digitally endorsed health 

certificate, click “View Certificates.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

The certificate should appear in 

the table below, but if you want 

to narrow your search results, 

you can search for the 

certificate by the “Status,” 

“Date Range” for either its 

creation, submission, or 

endorsement date, tracking 

number, or certificate number. 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

When you find the certificate you 

need to print, click “Manage.” 

Table of Contents 
Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

In the “Process” dropdown menu, select 

“View Original Certificate” and click 

“Select.”You will be prompted to then open/

download the PDF certificate.

NOTE: If you select View Unofficial Copy, 

the certificate will be printed with a copy 

watermark. If this is presented to the 

destination country, they may reject the 

shipment. 

Regardless of whether or not the

certificate is digitally or physically

endorsed, a printed, paper hardcopy of

the endorsed health certificate must 

accompany the animal(s) during travel!

Table of Contents 
 

AV PDF Upload 

Certificates 

HOW TO DETERMINE WHEN AN AV PDF UPLOAD CERTIFICATE IS 

REQUIRED, HOW TO ISSUE AND SUBMIT FOR ENDORSEMENT, AND HOW 

TO EITHER PRINT OR PROVIDE A PRE-PAID EXPRESS SHIPPING LABEL TO 

OBTAIN THE ENDORSED CERTIFICATE 

Table of Contents 
AV PDF Upload certificates 

In the next slides, we will walk you through how an AV PDF Upload certificate is issued and

submitted for endorsement, including where to upload a pre-paid return shipping label if USDA 

APHIS’s digital endorsement is not accepted or how to print the endorsed health certificate if

USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement is accepted.

The walk-through is via the USDA Accredited Veterinarian role. 

While the example is for a dog traveling to Chile, the premise is the same for other types of 

animals traveling to other countries and can still be used as a guide. 

If you require assistance with issuing an AV PDF Upload certificate beyond what is provided 

here, please see the VEHCS Quick Reference Guide on the AV PDF Upload certificate:

https://vehcs.aphis.usda.gov/vehcs/faces/support/userguides.html

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A dog traveling to Chile 

One of your clients called to set up an appointment for an international export 

health certificate. She will be travelling with her dog to Chile. 

What should you do first? 

Table of Contents 
First, check the PTW for pet dogs to Chile 

1. Visit the USDA APHIS PTW. 

2. Select Chile from the Export dropdown menu. 

3. Note the green banner indicating health 

certificates submitted by the AV through VEHCS 

will be digitally endorsed by USDA APHIS. 

4. Follow the import regulations in the dropdown 

bar for “Pet Dogs and Cats.” 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you’re ready to start the certificate 

5. Once the dog is compliant with Chile’s 

import regulations and it’s time to issue 

the health certificate, access the VEHCS 

website and login to your account. The link 

to the VEHCS website is available within 

the PTW’s VEHCS banner. 

6. If you are not paying by a USDA APHIS User 

Fee Credit Account, select “Financial

Management” to first deposit money in 

VEHCS to pay the endorsement fee. 

7. Select “New Certificate” under “Create

Certificate.” 

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Creating the certificate 

8. In the “Certificate Content” screen, select

“Chile” from the “Destination Country” dropdown menu.

9. The “Commodity Type” and “Type of

Admission” dropdown menus will then appear.

There is not an option for dogs in the

“Commodity Type” so select “Commodity not

Listed” from the dropdown.

10. By selecting “Commodity not Listed,” the page

updates with the message “Click on the Upload

button to upload a Filled PDF” to indicate the

health certificate will be issued and submitted by

the AV PDF Upload certificate type.

Table of Contents 
 

Creating the certificate 

11. In a separate tab or browser 

window, return to the PTW page for 

Chile to download the PDF of the 

health certificate. 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

Creating the certificate 

11. After saving the PDF to your 

computer and opening the saved 

file in Adobe, complete the health 

certificate just as you would when 

issuing a hardcopy health 

certificate. 

• Remember, it is USDA APHIS’s preference that 

the health certificate is typed using Adobe so it 

is legible. 

Table of Contents 
Creating the certificate 

12. Once the health certificate is fully and

accurately completed, finish issuing the PDF

health certificate by signing your name with

one of the four acceptable options for

electronically signing an AV PDF Upload

certificate. 

• As a reminder, you may either: 

• Electronically sign the signature field of the

health certificate with Adobe’s electronic 

signature 

• Type “Electronically signed” in the signature

field of the health certificate 

• Type your name in a cursive type font 

-or-

• Print the completed health certificate to wet-ink

sign the signature field and then scan the health

certificate back into a PDF. 

13. Save the completed and signed certificate. 

Electronically Signed 

Table of Contents 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 10, 2018
Creating the certificate 

14. Return to your open VEHCS page 

and click “Upload” to begin 

uploading the completed and 

signed PDF health certificate. 

Table of Contents 
 

Creating the certificate 

15. Enter the required information for 

the certificate content. 

a. The available list of AVs is based on the State/Territory 

chosen for the animal's origin state.

b. After checking the state selection, if the name of the AV 

does not appear here, the AV must check that his/her 

license and accreditation information is current in his/her 

profile from the VEHCS

“Welcome” screen’s “Manage Account.”

c. Since this certificate is being issued by an AV, there is not 

an option to select an “Internal Accredited Veterinarian” 

or “External Accredited Veterinarian,” but if this is 

certificate was being issued by an AV Support Staff or 

Exporter, this is where those options would appear.

16. Select “Next.” 

All fields marked with a red * are required to be completed. Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

Uploading the PDF health certificate 

17. In the next page, select “Add/Replace

Certificate.” 

18. Then, select “Browse” to select the PDF of 

the completed health certificate from your 

files. Once the file is selected, click 

“Upload.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Uploading the PDF health certificate 

19. If the PDF file successfully uploads, you will 

return to this page and see the file name 

now appears here. 

20. Click “Next.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

Upload attachments 

21. Select “Add Attachment” to upload the rabies vaccine

certificate that supports the rabies vaccination

entered in the PDF health certificate. 

22. Select “Rabies Certificate” from the dropdown menu to describe the file as the rabies vaccine certificate. • For uploading other types of required documentation, such as

laboratory reports or import permits, you’ll select the applicable description from the dropdown menu. If there is not a pre- populated description, you’ll select “Other” and then enter the

description in “If Other, More Details.” 

23. Select “Upload.” 

24. In this example, because Chile does not require laboratory testing or an import permit, and because the certificate will be digitally endorsed by USDA

APHIS, no other documents are uploaded. But ifa

laboratory test report or import permit were

required to be uploaded,this is where they would be

attached.

25. Once all required documents are attached to the

submission by uploading, select “Next.” 

Table of Contents 
 

Shipping Label

26. For orange, and some yellow and purple, banner countries, you will be prompted to upload

a prepaid return label. Follow the steps on screen to upload and attach the label.

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment Method

27. Payment of the User (Endorsement) Fee is required before your certificate can be submitted

to your USDA Endorsement Office. Select the option for how you'll pay the User (Endorsement)

Fee.

Table of Contents 
Summary/Submit 

28. The information entered in the previous pages is summarized here. You must review the information to 

ensure it is accurate and complete. If you need to correct any information, select “Edit” on the right side of the 

section. 

Also review the "Notification Email Addresses" section. Enter email addresses to receive certificate status email

notifications. The recipients will receive email updates when this health certificate is submitted to VS, endorsed by

VS or returned by VS.

Table of Contents 
Submitting for endorsement 

The information entered in the previous pages is summarized here. 

You must review the information to ensure it is accurate and 

complete. If you need to correct any information, select “Edit” on 

the right side of the section.

29. Before the AV can submit the certificate to the USDA 

Endorsement Office, the two statements must be read and selected

to certify that the information is accurate, that laboratory test

reports were uploaded as attachments (when applicable), that you

acknowledge fees will be charged upon endorsement of the

certificate, and that by submitting the certificate, you are legally

signing the certificate. 

AV Support Staff and Exporters are not able to select these statements. 

30. Select “Submit Certificate.” 

AV Support Staff and Exporters cannot submit a certificate for endorsement. 

Instead, they are given the option to “Save as Work in Progress” for an “Internal Accredited Veterinarian.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 10825.

Successful submission 

If VEHCS identifies that required information 

was not provided, you will receive an error

message to correct the missing information. 

The certificate cannot be submitted until all 

required information is provided.

If all required information was provided, the

certificate is submitted to your USDA

Endorsement Office. 

Make a note of the tracking number VEHCS 

assigned to the certificate. You will need to

provide this information (and the state you are

located in) to your USDA Endorsement Office if

you need to communicate with them about

your certificate. When the certificate is

endorsed, the tracking number will be replaced 

by the certificate number.

Otherwise, periodically check VEHCS each 

business day to monitor the status of your 

submission. VEHCS will also notify the notification email addresses entered on the 

certificate when the certificate is returned for 

correction or endorsed.

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

Your USDA Endorsement Office 

Your USDA Endorsement Office will review your certificate and supporting

documentation. 

If everything is in order, the certificate will be endorsed. 

Once the certificate is endorsed, as noted by a VEHCS status of “Completed,” it 

will either be: 

◦ Mailed with the pre-paid shipping label provided in VEHCS if the destination country does not accept USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement. 

◦ This is when USDA APHIS must wet ink sign and physically emboss the printed paper health certificate (for orange,

and some commodities for yellow and purple banner countries). 

◦ Ready for you to view and print if the destination country accepts USDA APHIS’s digital endorsement.

This applies to green, and some commodities for yellow and purple, banner countries. 

◦ Ensure the printed hardcopy does not contain a “COPY” watermark. 

Regardless of if the certificate is digitally or physically endorsed, a printed, paper hardcopy of the 

endorsed health certificate must accompany the animal(s) during travel! 

Table of Contents 
Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

To print the digitally endorsed health 

certificate, click “View Certificates.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

The certificate should appear in 

the table below, but if you want 

to narrow your search results, 

you can search for the 

certificate by the “Status,” 

“Date Range” for either its 

creation, submission, or 

endorsement date, tracking 

number, or certificate number. 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

When you find the certificate you 

need to print, click “Manage.” 

Table of Contents 
Steps for printing digitally endorsed certificates 

In the “Process” dropdown menu, select 

“View Original Certificate” and click 

“Select.” You will be prompted to then 

open/download the PDF certificate.

NOTE: If you select View Unofficial 

Copy, the certificate will be printed with 

a copy watermark. If this is presented 

to the destination country, they may 

reject the shipment. 

Regardless of whether or not the 

certificate is digitally or physically

endorsed, a printed, paper hardcopy of 

the endorsed health certificate must 

accompany the animal(s) during travel!

Table of Contents 
 

Transiting another 

country 

WHEN AN ANIMAL TRAVELS THROUGH ANOTHER COUNTRY BEFORE 

ARRIVING IN THE DESTINATION COUNTRY 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transits: issuing multiple certificates 

If an animal stops in one country (e.g., for a layover) before immediately traveling on to the 

destination country, and the country the animal stops in requires the animal meet their import 

regulations, more than one health certificate may need to be issued and endorsed in VEHCS.

For animals who require a separate health certificate for the country they transit,the transit health

certificate must be submitted separately in VEHCS from the health certificate for the destination

country.

• The Consignee field for the transit certificate should list the address in the destination country and end in “via 

[insert name of the country transited].” 

To link the two health certificates together in VEHCS to ensure your USDA Endorsement Office

processes them in tandem, you must include a note in the “Comments: (Will NOT be printed on the

certificate)” of each submission to explain the relationship between the submissions.

Once endorsed, the health certificate for the country transited and the final destination country will 

have different certificate numbers. 

Table of Contents 
If Your USDA Endorsement 

Office Returns a Submission 

for Correction 

Table of Contents 
Returned certificates 

If you realize there’s an error after you submit your health certificate, 

contact your USDA Endorsement Office immediately, noting the state

you are located in and the tracking number. If possible, your USDA

Endorsement Office will return your submission to you for correction

before they begin reviewing the submission for endorsement. 

If your USDA Endorsement Office finds an error with your submission, 

they will notify you that a correction needs to be made, and the

certificate will be returned to you in VEHCS.

• USDA APHIS is unable to make changes to electronically submitted documents. 

• Remember to keep your contact information up to date in VEHCS since this is how

your USDA Endorsement Office will contact you.

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Returned certificates 

◦ When returning the certificate to you in

VEHCS, your USDA Endorsement Office may

include comments on the reason for return.

If so, the remarks will be available in

“Comments.” 

◦ DO NOT start a new submission as a means

of submitting a corrected health

certificate. By doing so, the re-submission

will appear to your USDA Endorsement

Office as a brand new submission, which

may result in a further delay in

endorsement and duplicate charges.

Table of Contents 
Reissuing endorsed 

health certificates 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reissuing endorsed health certificates 

If information within the health certificate needs to be changed after

endorsement, the health certificate may be reissued in VEHCS. Endorsement

fees may apply.

• You cannot make corrections to an endorsed health certificate. To do so could be 

considered a criminal offense. 

Before you reissue the health certificate in VEHCS, contact your USDA

Endorsement Office to discuss the reason for reissuing the health certificate,

especially if an animal is held in another country.

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

Reissuing endorsed health certificates 

Only the AV may reissue an endorsed health certificate. AV Support Staff and 

Exporters cannot initiate a request to reissue an endorsed health certificate. 

Saving as a work in progress is not available for reissue requests. The AV must 

complete the reissue during the current session or it will be cancelled and the 

AV will have to begin again.

Once your USDA Endorsement Office endorses the reissued health certificate: 

◦ The original health certificate is voided in VEHCS (i.e., no longer available). 

◦ The reissued health certificate will have a new certificate number, but it will

reference the original health certificate by declaring “This certificate replaces 

certificate # (original certificate #).” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Reissuing endorsed health certificates 

To initiate the reissue, select “Manage” in the “View Certificates” screen for the 

health certificate you need reissued. 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

Reissuing endorsed health certificates 

Then, select “Request Re-issue Certificate” in the “Process” dropdown menu, and 

enter the reason for the reissue in the “Reissue Reason” field, including what 

information you will change in the health certificate. 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reissuing endorsed Defined certificates 

For Defined certificates, correct the information you need to change.

◦ Before submitting the reissued certificate, you will also need to select yourself as

the AV in the “General” screen and reselect the certification statements in the 

“Certification Statements” screen. 

◦ The reason for the reissue, and the original VEHCS certificate number, are 

displayed at the bottom of the “Summary/Submit” screen. 

◦ If you need to correct the “Reissue Reason” field, you may do so here. 

Then, submit the certificate as you normally would. 

◦ Note: you must review each page and select “Next” before VEHCS will let you submit. 

Table of Contents 
Reissuing endorsed health certificates 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

Reissuing endorsed AV PDF Upload 

For AV PDF Upload certificates, 

once you’ve initiated the reissue, 

the “Certificate Content” screen 

will appear. 

◦ If any of this information needs to 

be changed, do so here. 

◦ Otherwise, select yourself as the 

AV and select “Next.” 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

Reissuing endorsed AV PDF Upload 

In the “Upload Filled PDF Health Certificate” screen, upload the reissued health certificate as 

you normally would for an AV PDF Upload certificate. 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

Reissuing endorsed AV PDF Upload 

In the “Summary/Submit” screen, the reason for the reissue and the original certificate number, 

appear at the bottom of the screen. 

• If you need to correct the “Reissue Reason” field, you may do so here. 

• Otherwise, submit the reissued certificate as you normally would. 

Table of Contents 
Reusing Consignor and 

Consignee information 

ALIAS NAMES 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Reusing Consignor and Consignee info 

If you’ve previously issued a health certificate for your client under the exact same Consignor 

name you will use to create a new health certificate, you may see an error message that the 

Consignor Alias Name already exists in the “Consignor Details” screen: 

Table of Contents 
 

 

Reusing Consignor and Consignee info 

Table of Contents 

To workaround this error message, return to the previous “General” screen and select your 

client’s Consignor name from the dropdown menu. 
 

Reusing Consignor and Consignee info 

When the same thing happens for clients that are returning to a previous destination, you would 

select their previous entry in the Consignee dropdown menu in the “General” screen. 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

Reusing Consignor and Consignee info 

If your client’s home address has changed since the last time you issued a VEHCS 

health certificate (i.e., the previous Consignee information is out of date), you 

may either: 

1. Make a new Consignor Name by recording a “Consignor Alias Name” in the 

“Consignor Details” screen 

-or2. Edit your client’s information under “Manage Consignors” under 

“Manage/Create Template Data” 

Table of Contents 
 

Reusing Consignor and Consignee info 

1. Make a new Consignor Name by recording a “Consignor Alias Name” in the “Consignor

Details” screen 

Table of Contents 
 

Reusing Consignor and Consignee info 

2. Edit your client’s information under “Manage Consignors” under “Manage/Create Template

Data” 

Table of Contents 
 

Reusing Consignor and Consignee info 

If your client is traveling to either a different address in a previously visited country or a new 

country, you will update their information in “Manage Consignees” under “Manage/Create 

Template Data”: 

Table of Contents 
Additional VEHCS 

resources 

WHERE TO FIND MORE HELP WITH USING VEHCS 

Table of Contents 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you need additional help with VEHCS 

If you need help with VEHCS at any point, there are several VEHCS 

resources available to you:

◦ VEHCS Help Page

◦ VEHCS Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) 

◦ VEHCS Online Help Manual (available within VEHCS) 

◦ Your USDA Endorsement Office. If you contact your USDA Endorsement Office

about a submitted certificate, you must provide the state you are located in and the

tracking number VEHCS assigned to your submission. 

◦ PCIT Help Desk for VEHCS IT troubleshooting at pcithelpdesk@usda.gov or 1-866- HLP-PCIT (1-866-457-7248)

◦ Support with login credentials at this helpdesk or 1-866-794-2827
Where to find the VEHCS Help Page 

Click the link in the non-red VEHCS banners: 

Table of Contents 
 

Where to find the VEHCS Help Page 

Click the VEHCS icon on some pages of the IRegs and PTW: 

Table of Contents 
Where to find the Online Help Manual 

Table of Contents 
Where to find the Online Help Manual 

Table of Contents 
Where to find the Quick Reference Guides 

Table of Contents 
Where to find the Quick Reference Guides 

Table of Contents 
Where to find the Quick Reference Guides 

Table of Contents 
USDA APHIS Resources 

USDA APHIS Pet Travel Website (PTW)

• Requirements for exporting and importing pets from

and into the U.S., and interstate

• https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

USDA APHIS International Regulations for Live 

Animal Exports (IRegs)

• For international movement requirements for 

non-pets

• https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/animal- exports

USDA APHIS Import: Bring Live Animals into the 

United States

• For importing non-pet animals into the U.S.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animal

health/animal-and-animal-product-import- information/imports/live-animal-imports

VEHCS

• Log in to VEHCS here

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/vehcs

USDA APHIS National Veterinary 

Accreditation Program

• For USDA Accredited Veterinarians to check

their accreditation status

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/

ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap

• To find a USDA Accredited Veterinarian

o https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/

public/VetSearch.do

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Do you still have questions? 

Contact us! 

USDA Endorsement Offices 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/endorsement-offices

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