APHIS eFile

Guidance for Submitting a VS 16-79 On-Hold Application

Request assistance for shipments placed on agricultural hold by 

CBP

Version 1.0

April 2021
WELCOME!

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services has a new online website to submit VS 16-

79 On-Hold applications. This user guide will take you through the process of

creating and submitting a 16-79 application for a permit.

For more APHIS eFile VS 16-79 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
Step 1: Sign into APHIS eFile 

Page 4

Step 2: Complete the VS 16-79 On-Hold Setup Assistant

Page 5

Step 3: Enter Details for On-Hold Shipment 

Page 8

Step 4: Identify the Responsible Parties 

Page 9

Step 5: Enter Shipment Information 

Page 11

I AM AN APPLICANT

I want to Submit a VS 16-79 On-Hold Application

Step 6: Enter Materials 

Page 12

Step 7: Upload Documents 

Page 13

Step 8: Review and Submit

Page 14

Step 9: Payment

Page 15

3
4

Step 1: Sign in to eFile

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

(eFile is not supported by Internet Explorer). • Log 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.

•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 VS 16-79

On-Hold Application and then select Get Started.

• The VS 16-79: Only for shipments of animal products,

organisms, and vectors. Request assistance for shipments

placed on hold by CBP because they do not meet APHIS VS

requirements.

A

A

B

B
5

Step 2: Complete the VS 16-79 On-Hold Setup Assistant

VS 16-79 On-Hold Setup Assistant

To start a VS 16-79 On-Hold Application, read the requirements 

and additional information in the pop-up window. 

Read the Information You Need section:

• If you do not have the permit or application number of your

shipments permit, select Here to view your options.

• If you do have the permit or application number of your

shipments permit, select Start Application.

Note: You will need to submit a VS 16-79 for each on-hold 

shipment you have.

A

B

B

A
6

Step 2: Complete the VS 16-79 On-Hold Setup Assistant

VS 16-79 On-Hold Setup Assistant

Answer the required question, “Was your shipment issued an Emergency 

Action Notification (EAN) PPQ 523 form?”

• If you select Yes, you are not eligible for on-hold assistance and

can not continue.

• If you select No, link your on-hold shipment’s eFile permit or

application.

• Select the drop-down to choose Permit or Application and enter

the Permit Number (610-## or 639-##) or Application

Number (A-###) and proceed to the On-Hold Application.

• If you do not have an eFile permit or application, select here to

view your options.

• If your On-Hold shipment does not need a permit, mark the

checkbox and proceed to the On-Hold Application.

a

b

c

A

a

b

c

B
7

Step 2: Complete the VS 16-79 On-Hold Setup Assistant

VS 16-79 On-Hold Setup Assistant

If you belong to more than one Organization, or Sharing Organization/Account, within eFile, you will be prompted to select the 

organization you would like to share this record with. 

• Choose your organization from the drop-down and select Proceed.

A

A
8

Step 3: Enter Details for On-Hold Shipment Details

Shipment Details

In this section, enter the details about your shipment placed on 

Agricultural hold by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

• Answer the question, “Why was your shipment

placed on-hold?”

• Select all the checkboxes that apply.

• Select the checkbox to confirm your understanding of

health certificates and proceed to next section.

A

A

B

B
9

Step 4: Identify Responsible Parties Responsible Party

Applicant, Importer/Consignee, and Broker Details

• Confirm that your information on the Contact Card is

correct.

Note: If the applicant belongs to an organization 

(company), you must edit and add them to the Applicant 

and/or Importer/consignee contact cards.

• Answer the required question, “Will you be the

importer/consignee?”

• If you select no, you will need to provide the

importer/consignee contact information in an additional

section of the page.

• If using a Broker, enter your Broker’s contact information in

the Broker Details section.

A

B

C

A B

C
10

Step 4: Identify Responsible Parties Responsible Party

Specialist/Inspector and Port Details

• Enter the Specialist/Inspector name.

• Identify the port details for your on-hold shipment.

Note: All the fields are required in these sections.

D

E D

E
11

Step 5: Enter Shipment Information Shipment Info

Shipment Details

In this section, enter the shipment information for your on-hold shipment. You will be prompted to enter additional information based 

on your mode of transport. 

Note: All the fields are required in this section. 
12

Step 6: Enter Materials Materials

Material(s) Details

In this section of the application, you will indicate all the materials in your on-hold shipment. The materials displaying on this page are 

those listed in your linked eFile application or permit (if applicable). 

• Use the Select Material button to select all the

materials in your shipment.

• If there are materials in your shipment that were

not listed on your original application or permit,

use the Add a Material button to add the additional

materials to the application. A

B

A

B
13

Step 7: Upload Documents Upload Documents

Required Documentation

In this section of the application, you will upload the required documentation for your on-hold application. 

• To upload files, select Add New File.

• If you do not have some or all the required files, select the checkbox.

A

B

B

A
14

Step 8: Review and Submit Review and Submit

In this section, you will review your complete application. Certify that the information you have entered is correct and proceed to 

payment. Please note, once you pay for your application you are not able to change any of the information. 

• Review your data in each of the sections.

• To edit your data in a specific section of the application, select the Edit button associated with that section. You will be taken

back to that page of the application to edit your data.

• Once you are ready to submit your application, read the certification statement, select the “I certify...” checkbox and select

Proceed to Payment.

A

B

B

B
15

Step 9: Payment Payment

After selecting Proceed to payment, select your method of payment and follow the associated steps to complete the application 

payment.

Payment Methods:

• Online via Pay.gov

• Mail-in Payment

• APHIS User Fee Account

A

B

C

A B C
16

Step 9: Payment

Congratulations!

• Once you have successfully completed your payment, you will see the confirmation message below.

• You will receive a receipt of payment via email once your application has been processed.
17

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, Option 4

APIE@usda.gov

If you require technical assistance, please contact:

Help Desk

help@usda.gov