APHIS eFile

Guidance for Requesting an Animal Care (AC) Live Dog Import Permit

Version 4.0

March 2022
WELCOME!

USDA APHIS Animal Care (AC) has an online system to request Live Dog import permits.

This user guide will take you through the process of creating and submitting a request for a permit, 

responding to the AC Live Dog Import team"s requests for clarification, and accessing your issued permit. 

If you need help with your application, contact:

Animal Care 

(816) 737-4223 or

ac.dogimport.mailbox@usda.gov
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Use the Animal Care (AC) Permitting Assistant and Complete Application

Pages 4-18

Addressing Applicant Action Required Notices

Pages 19-23

Accessing an Issued Permit

Pages 24-27

Appendix: System Setup and Contact Information

Page 28
4

I AM AN APPLICANT

I want a permit to import a live dog into the 

United States.

Step 1: Sign into APHIS eFile

Page 5 

Step 2: Complete the Animal Care (AC) Permitting 

Assistant

Pages 6-7

Step 3: Provide Animal Transportation Information

Page 8 

Step 4: Provide Importer, Exporter, and Delivery 

Recipient Information

Pages 9-12

Step 5: Provide Animal Information 

Page 13 

Step 6: Upload Documents 

Pages 14-15

Step 7: Review Line Items 

Pages 16-17

Step 8: Submit Application for Approval 

Page 18
5

Step 1: Sign into APHIS eFile

Navigate to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/ in Google Chrome 

(APHIS eFile is not supported by Internet Explorer).

• Log in to APHIS eFile using your eAuthentication credentials.

• If you do not already have an eAuthentication Account, select

Create an Account and follow the steps to become eAuthenticated.

You must be eAuthenticated to apply in APHIS eFile.

• If your eAuthentication is not Verified, you will be prompted with

various questions to upgrade your eAuth (Example question: What

is your Social Security number?). Complete these questions in

order to proceed.

• Under the Ready to Apply section, choose the Live Dog Perm

application and then select Get Started or select option C.

• You can also use the Live Dog Information Card to begin the

application process.

A

B

C

B

C
6

Step 2: Complete the Animal Care (AC) Permitting Assistant

• Select the box under “Please select an Organization”

• Your Organization (previously called Account) is a

name that you provided when you signed into APHIS

eFile the first time. For most people, this name is “First

Name Last Name Account” (e.g., Joe Smith Account).

For others, it may be the name of the company they

work for (e.g., JS Rescues).

• Search for your name or organization and select it.

• Select Responsible Person to locate and then select your

name.

• With your "Organization" and "Responsible Party" selected,

select Proceed with Application to begin the application

process.

• Show Conditions will take you to a conditions list that

presents a baseline requirement to bring Live Dogs into the

United States based on the type of permit.

A

B

C

A

B

C

D

Note: If this is your first time here, you will not have any 

“Recently Viewed Accounts” and will need to complete a

search to make a selection.

/

D
7

Step 2: Complete the Animal Care (AC) Permitting Assistant (cont’d)

After completing the Animal Care (AC) Permitting Assistant, you will be able to view the questions and outcomes you provided and

decide if you will need to go back and change your answers. 
8

Step 3: Enter Animal Transportation Information

• Complete the Animal Transportation Information

section of your application.

Note: Required fields are noted with a red asterisk. 

Responses to these fields are required before you 

may proceed.

• After entering the transportation information

Select Save and Next.

A

B

A

/

B
9

Step 4: Enter Importer, Exporter, and Delivery Recipient Information 

Complete the Importer/Exporter and Delivery 

Recipient section of your application. 

• Select the “Yes” or “No I will add another contact

as the Importer" radio button for the “Are you the

Importer?” question.

• Select the "Yes" or "No I will add another contact

as the Exporter" radio button for the “Are you the

Exporter?” question.

• Select the "Yes" or "No I will add another contact

as the Delivery Recipient" radio button for the “Are

you the Delivery Recipient?” question.

• Once you’ve answered the questions, scroll down to

input the Importer, Exporter, and Delivery Recipient

contact details.

A

B

C

Note: One Importer, Exporter, and Delivery Recipient 

must be added to the application.

A

B

C

D
10

Step 4: Enter Importer, Exporter, and Delivery Recipient Information (cont’d) 

The Importer and Delivery Recipient must be within 

the United States. The Exporter cannot have an 

address within the United States. 

There are two options to enter in data for the 

Importer/Exporter/Delivery Recipient if you selected the 

"No I will add another contact" option.

• Using the search bar, enter the name, organization, or

email to search for your Importer/Exporter/Delivery

recipient contact that you’ve used in the past. Then

select the Select as Importer button.

• Enter the Importer/Exporter/Delivery recipient contact

information manually by selecting the Create New

Contact button.

Note: If you are the Importer and are completing this application, 

use this option to copy your information automatically. 

A

B

B

A
11

Step 4: Enter Importer, Exporter, and Delivery Recipient Information (cont’d) 

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

• Enter your Importer/Exporter/Delivery recipient contact information.

• Select Save and Select once completed.

C

Note: Required fields are marked with a red asterisk.

D

C

D

/
12

Step 4: Enter Importer, Exporter, and Delivery Recipient Information (cont’d) 

When creating or selecting an existing contact for Exporter and Delivery Recipient, repeat steps on pages 9-11.

F• When complete, select the Save and Next button to proceed to the next step, Animal Information. 

Select the “edit” icon to 

make changes. 

F
13

Step 5: Enter Animal Information 

In the Animal Information section, you can enter as many dogs as you intend to import. 

• Select the Add a Dog button to begin the process. 

• In the Animal Details section, enter in all required information.

• Select Add.

• After adding this dog"s information, the Upload Document button will become available.

A

B

B

C

D

A

C

D
14

Step 6: Upload Additional Documents • Selecting the Upload Documents button will open a new

browser tab.

• Select Document Type drop-down to display a list of

options to upload for the dog you are importing: • Health and Rabies Certificate – Meaning both are in

one file; select this document type (APHIS 7041 Form).

• Health Certificate – Separate file; select appropriate

document type for the file you upload.

• Rabies Certificate – Separate file; select appropriate

document type for the file you upload.

• Optional: Any additional documents that you provide

unrelated to the two required documents.

• Select the Upload Files button to upload documents.

Note: You must upload a Health and Rabies Certificate for 

each dog added to an application. 

AB

A

C

BC
15

Step 6: Upload Additional Documents (cont’d)

• Choose the file from your desktop that corresponds to the

Document Type you’ve chosen.

• After your file has been successfully uploaded, a green

checkmark will appear next to the uploaded file.

• Select Done.

• To upload any additional documents, select the

Upload Document button.

Note: To delete an uploaded document, select the trash can 

icon.

A

B

C

• Once all documents have been uploaded, select Save.

• To add an additional dog, repeat step 5. Once you’re

finished adding animal details, select Save and Next.

D

C

D

E

E
16

Step 7: Review Line Items 

Check the Line Item Review box to ensure all necessary actions are completed before submitting your application. Then return to 

each section of the application that the system tells you to update. 

A• Click on the error hyperlink, which will bring you to the direct page of the missing information.

A

Note: A message will display for any missing information that you must provide before submitting 

the application. 
17

Step 7: Review Line Items (cont’d) 

• Once complete, the Line Item status will change to “Ready to Submit” at the top of the page.

Select Save and Submit.

A

B

A

B
18

Step 8: Submit Application

The Application Detail page is another summary page to review all information before submitting for approval. 

• If you would like to return to your application, select the Line Item Record Number (LN-0000...) located under the Name column.

• Agree to the statement by selecting the “I Certify” checkbox.

• Select Submit for Approval.

A

B

A

B

C

C
19

I AM AN APPLICANT

I want to access and respond to the AC Live Dog 

Import team’s feedback on my application.

Step 1: Checking Status and Resubmission of 

Applications

Page 20

Step 2: View and Take Action

Page 21

Step 3: Review Line Items

Page 22

Step 4: Resubmit Application

Page 23
20

Step 1: Checking Status and Resubmission of Applications

Your application is now Submitted, and you want to be able to track its status or address Applicant Action Required changes from an 

email you received. 

• Select the Applicant Action Required button to easily access the application needing updates.

• Search for your application.

• Select the View Details button on the application.

A

B

C

A

B

C
21

Step 2: View and Take Action

• Under the Line Item Review tab, review the Action Required section, review overall application instructions.

• Updates for these notes are made on the Animal Information section of the application.

• Under Importer/Exporter/Delivery, note where the status is “Waiting on Customer.”

• Detailed instructions are on the Importer/Exporter/Delivery section of the application for each record type (e.g., Importer).

• Under Animal Information, note which dogs have the status “Waiting on Customer.”

• Detailed instructions are on the Animal Information section of the application for each dog (e.g., Dog ID).

• Having noted where the Animal Care team has requested updates:

• For Action Required, navigate to Animal Transportation and make updates.

• For Importer/Exporter/Delivery and Animal Information, navigate to each section, and select each record to review instructions and

make updates.

A

A
22

Step 3: Review Line Items

• Once you have addressed all comments, review all Line Item changes for completeness and adherence to requirements from the

Line Item Review page.

• Select Continue.

A

B

A

B
23

Step 4: Resubmit Application

The Application Detail page is another summary page to review all information before submitting for approval. 

• Scroll down on the Application Details page.

• Agree to the statement by selecting the “I Certify” checkbox.

• Select Submit for Approval. Your application will be resubmitted for approval.

A

B

A

B

C

C
24

I AM AN APPLICANT

I want to access my permit to import live dogs.

Option 1: Access Your Issued Permit From Email

Page 25

Option 2: Search for and Access Your Issued Permit

Pages 26-27
25

Option 1: Access Your Issued Permit From Email

• Once you receive an email that your permit has been

Issued, you can locate your issued permit by selecting the

link from the email.

• After logging in with your eAuth account, this will take you

directly to your Application Details page, where you will

find your issued permit within the Notes and Attachments

section.

A

B

A

B
26

Option 2: Search for and Access Your Issued Permit

You can also access your Issued permit by using the My Activity page or View All Activity button from your APHIS eFile homepage. 

• Select View All Activity.

• Search for your Authorization.

• Select View Details from your Application card.

A

B

C

A B

C
27

Option 2: Search for and Access Your Issued Permit (cont’d)

You are now on the Authorization Details page, and the Line 

Item status is Submitted.

• Locate your Issued permit within the Notes and Attachments

section.

D

D
28

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 no-reply.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 need help with your applications, contact:

Animal Care 

(816) 737-4223

ac.dogimport.mailbox@usda.gov

If you need technical assistance, contact:

Help Desk

help@usda.gov