Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Export Certification 

Introduction 

Before we get into the details regarding export certification, let’s cover some 

basics. First, what is meant by the term “export?” The Webster’s Dictionary 

definition of the word “export” is, “to send goods from one country to another for 

the purpose of sale.” In this case, we are interested in meat, poultry, and egg 

products which are inspected and passed for wholesomeness by FSIS at official 

FSIS slaughter and processing establishments, and approved cold storage 

establishments that are being exported from the U.S. to other countries 

throughout the world. 

What is the purpose of export certification? The export certification process 

provides assurance that US meat and poultry products are in compliance with the 

importing country’s requirements. As the competent authority, FSIS issues 

official certificates for export of inspected and passed products to any foreign 

country. The certification activities performed by Inspection Program Employees 

verify that all requirements of the importing country are met. 

Objectives 

After completing this module, you will be able to: 

1. Describe where to locate current export requirements. 

2. Explain information to be included in each field on an export application 

and an export certificate. 

3. Describe how to perform the Inspection Verification Procedures outlined in 

FSIS Directive 9000.1. 

4. List the reasons why a Certifying Official would not sign an export 

certificate. 

5. List the reasons when a replacement export certificate can be issued. 

6. Describe when a Memoranda of Interview would be written related to 

export certification. 

7. Identify who administers the Export Verification and Less Than 30 Months 

of Age Verification Quality System Assessment Program (EV/QSA). 

8. Describe how to navigate through PHIS Electronic Export feature pages 

and review 9060-6 application, and sign 9060-5 certificate manually and 

digitally as outlined in FSIS Directive 13000.5. 

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Export Certification 

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Statutory and Regulatory References 

Federal Meat Inspection Acts 21 U.S.C 615-618 

Sec. 15. 615 – Inspection of carcasses and parts offered for export 

Sec. 16. 616 – Authorizing inspectors and certificates 

Sec. 17. 617 – Clearance prohibited to vessel without certificate 

Sec. 18. 618 – Certificates and copies 

Let’s review the regulatory references related to your export certification duties. 

There are several provisions of the FMIA related to exported product. 

Section 615 states: “The Secretary shall also cause to be made a careful 

inspection of the carcasses and parts thereof of all cattle, sheep, swine, goats, 

horses, mules, and other equines, the meat of which, fresh, salted, canned, 

corned, packed, cured, or otherwise prepared, is intended and offered for export 

to any foreign country, at such times and places and in such manner as he may 

deem proper.” This gives FSIS the authority to conduct inspections of products 

to be exported. 

Section 616 states that the Secretary may appoint inspectors who will be 

authorized to give an official certificate stating the condition of the meat that is 

inspected. 

Section 617 indicates that any shipper must have a certificate that indicates the 

meat to be shipped is sound and wholesome at the time of shipping. 

Section 618 states that the official certificates of the condition of the meat be 

distributed to FSIS, the owner/shipper, and the vessel that will transport the meat 

to another country. 

Livestock Regulations: 

9 CFR 322.1 – Marking products for export 

9 CFR 322.2 – Issuing export certificates 

9 CFR 322.3 – Transferring products for export 

9 CFR 322.4 – Clearance of vessels and transportation 

Now, let’s review the regulations that relate specifically to your export duties. 

There are a number of regulations that relate to export certification. We will 

highlight a few of the most significant ones. First, let’s review the regulations that 

cover products from livestock. 

9 CFR 322.1 covers marking products for export using official stamps. 9 CFR 

322.2 has some general instructions about issuing export certificates. The 

certification process shows that the product has been inspected and passed, and 

is not adulterated or misbranded. 

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Export Certification 

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9 CFR 322.3 addresses the transfer of products from tanks to containers on 

vessels. 9 CFR 322.4 states that vessels or carriers destined to a foreign 

country cannot receive or transport edible products unless or until an official 

export certificate has been issued. Exceptions to this are inspected and passed 

ship stores, and not more than 50 pounds of inspected and passed product for 

the exclusive use of the consignee that are not for distribution or sale. 

Poultry Regulations: 

9 CFR 381.104 – Official marks 

9 CFR 381.105 – Certification process 

9 CFR 381.106 – Certificate form 

9 CFR 381.107 – Country requirements 

9 CFR 381.104 through 112 cover the export requirements related to poultry 

products. We will just highlight the requirements in 381.104 through 107. 9 CFR 

381.104 shows the official mark of inspection used for poultry products that have 

been inspected and passed and will be exported. 

9 CFR 381.105 explains the process of export certification. Just as was true for 

establishments under the livestock regulations, establishments that produce 

poultry products for export must apply for this service. 9 CFR 381.106 covers the 

specific form used for export certification. 

9 CFR 381.107 explains that the exporter is responsible for providing any 

unofficial documentation needed by the foreign country where the product will be 

shipped. It indicates that these certificates may cover articles that are exempted 

from the definition of poultry product. 

Export Directives and Notices 

Now, let’s look at an overview of the specific instructions outlined in FSIS 

Directives and Notices regarding your responsibilities for export certification. 

FSIS Directive 9000.1 – Export Certification covers the FSIS forms and 

verification activities related to export certification, and information about reinspection of product intended for export. We will review the FSIS Forms and the 

instructions contained in this directive in detail. 

FSIS Directive 13000.5 – Public Health Information System Certification 

covers the steps that inspection program personnel (IPP) should follow for export 

certification in all official establishments and in facilities requesting voluntary 

services using the Public Health Information System (PHIS). 

FSIS Directive 9000.2 – Inspection and Export Certification of Livestock 

Intestines or Casings covers how to decide if casings or intestines are eligible 

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Export Certification 

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for the mark of inspection and how to certify them for export. There are special 

requirements for certifying casings that are not covered in this training material. 

FSIS Directive 9000.6 – Export Certification of Egg Products from Other 

Than Official Egg Products Plants gives instruction for issuing certificates for 

egg products exported from locations other than where they were produced. 

There are special requirements for certifying egg products for export that are not 

covered in this training material. 

FSIS Directive 9010.1 – Export Products Returned to the US covers export 

product returned to the U.S. It might be refused by the foreign government, 

rejected by the buyer, or returned for a number of other reasons. Regardless of 

the reason, if exported product is returned to an establishment in your 

assignment, the District Office may ask you to verify that the returned product is 

not adulterated or misbranded. This directive will not be covered in detail in this 

course. 

FSIS Directive 12,600.1 Voluntary Reimbursable Inspection Services

addresses non-mandatory services for which the Agency receives 

reimbursement. 

FSIS Directive 12,600.2 Reimbursable Overtime Inspection Services at 

Meat and Poultry Establishments provides instruction on how to determine 

whether overtime inspection services need to be provided and how to do so 

during reimbursable overtime periods. 

Notice 37-18 – How to Handle Obsolete Export Certificate. 

Notice 39-18 – Establishment Application for Export (FSIS Form 9080-3) 

Notice 10-19- New FSIS Security Paper and Seven Digit Export Stamp for Use 

with The Export Module of the Public Health Information System – Phase Two 

Notice 05-20- New FSIS Security Paper and Seven Digit Export Stamp for use 

with the Export Module of the Public Health Information System - Phase Three 

Notice 26-21 FSIS Security Paper, Seven-Digit Export Stamp, and Enhanced 

Digital Signature for Use with the Export Module of the Public Health Information 

System - Phase Four 

Notice 33-21 FSIS Security Paper Seven-Digit Export Stamp Enhanced Digital 

Signature and Statements Module for Use with the Export Module of PHIS -

Phase 5 

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Export Certification 

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The Certifying Official 

The FSIS official who signs the completed export certificate is called the 

certifying official. The certifying official verifies the information on the export 

certificate by comparing it to the information on the signed (or certified) export 

application and the country requirements in the Export Library. 

The signature (or certification) on the export certificate may be based on 

information provided to the certifying official. If needed, the certifying official can 

ask for additional information, either from the FSIS inspector who signed the 

export application or the exporter. 

An important point to understand is that the certifying official may not be directly 

associated or familiar with the production or inspection of exported product. He 

or she might be in a different physical location. This means that the certifying 

official is relying on the in-plant inspector to adequately verify that the product 

meets the export requirements. Once the certifying official is assured that all 

information on the export documents is accurate, he or she signs the export 

certificate(s). 

The Export Certification Process 

FSIS Directive 9000.1 Export Certification provides a clear set of standards for the 

District Offices and in-plant inspection personnel (IPP) to follow. As specified in FSIS 

regulations, upon application by an exporter (applicant), an FSIS inspection program 

employee is authorized to issue official export certificates for the shipment of FSIS 

inspected and passed products to any foreign country. This directive also states the 

importance of reviewing the importing country’s requirements in the Export Library 

prior to signing documents and certificates. 

FSIS Directive 13000.5 provide clear instruction on how to perform export 

certification in all official establishments and in facilities requesting voluntary 

services using the Public Health Information System (PHIS). 

Export certification for casing and egg products are to be completed outside 

PHIS, following current procedures found in FSIS Directive 9000.2 and FSIS 

Directive 9000.6 respectively 

FSIS began implementing the PHIS Export Component on June 29, 2018, with 16 

countries, and then gradually will expand to additional countries. 

Phase 1 countries are Afghanistan, Andorra, Bahamas, Bolivia, Burundi, Cape 

Verde, Cook Islands, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, 

Mozambique, San Marino, Tanzania, Uganda. 

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Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Export verification tasks for countries that are not yet in PHIS will not change, will still 

be available in the task list, and should be performed by IPP as instructed in FSIS 

Directive 9000.1 

This Training module is divided into two sections; section A covers the steps for 

performing export certification if the importing country is not active in PHIS, and 

section B covers the steps for performing export certification if the importing 

country is active in PHIS (Electronic Export) 

The verification steps you will need to perform in both situations are identical. 

The differences between the two situations are that when the importing country is 

active in PHIS, 

• the establishment will submit the export application into PHIS; 

• you will access, review, approve, or reject the application through PHIS; 

and 

• you will print the certificate and sign it , then scan it and upload it back to 

your task. If the importing country accepts digital signatures, the system 

will provide instructions for doing so. 

Section A 

Overview - Performing Export Certification If the Importing Country

Is Not Active in PHIS 

So, how does this process work? Very broadly, there are three parts to FSIS export 

certification: 

1. Verifying the information on and signing the export application 

(Application for Export Certificate – FSIS Form 9060-6). This involves 

checking that the product meets the requirements of the importing country and 

performing a physical inspection check of the shipping cartons, labels and, if 

needed, the product being exported. 

This part ends with signing the export application. By signing the export 

application, you verify that you performed the checks described above and 

found the product met domestic requirements and any additional foreign 

requirements for export. 

2. Verifying the information on the export certificate (Meat and Poultry 

Export Certificate of Wholesomeness – FSIS Form 9060-5 or other 

export certificate as required by the importing country). This involves 

comparing information on the export documents (the export application and 

export certificate) to the country requirements, as well as checking the export 

certificate is accurate and complete. 

This part ends when you have verified that the product for export meets the 

domestic requirements and country requirements. 

Inspection Methods 32-6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

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3. Signing and dating the export certificate, and any additional required 

documents. By signing the export certificate, you are certifying that the 

product is eligible for export. 

Each of the three steps has multiple parts within it and you need to understand and 

implement all the necessary parts before completing each certification step. We will 

walk through the parts required for each step as we complete the export training 

section. 

We will start with the export application, FSIS Form 9060-6, which is referred to 

throughout the material as the export application. 

1- Verifying the Information on and Signing the Export Application 

(Application for Export Certificate – FSIS Form 9060-6). 

Establishment personnel complete and sign the Application for Export Certificate 

(FSIS Form 9060-6 Application for Export). By signing the export application, the 

applicant attests under penalty of law that the information is complete and 

accurate, the product to be exported meets the requirements of the importing 

country, and that they will supply you with supporting documentation to support 

these claims. Companies can create a computer generated version of the export 

application (FSIS Form 9060-6) to facilitate the export process and help eliminate 

errors. The applicant gives the export application to you for verification. 

When you receive a signed export application from the applicant, you will verify that 

the establishment is eligible to export to the country and the product meets the 

importing country’s requirements. 

There are three parts to this verification: 

a) Verifying that the documentation requirements are met. 

b) Verifying the marking/stamping of the product 

c) Performing a physical inspection check of the shipping cartons, labels

and, if needed, the product being exported. 

We will go through each one in turn, starting with the documentation. Follow along 

with Figure 1, Application for Export Certificate. 

Start by going to the export library to check the importing country requirements. 

This is how you get to the Export Library: 

• go online to the https://www.fsis.usda.gov/ 

Inspection Methods 32-7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

• click on the upper right “Inspection” 

• on the left click “Import and Export Library” 

• scroll down the page to the “click on the applicable country name. This 

takes you to the specific export requirements for the importing country. 

All countries which have specific export requirements are in alphabetical order by 

name. After the country name is the date that the requirements were revised. 

Countries not listed in the Export Library 

If a country is not listed in the Export Library FSIS will issue an export certificate 

(FSIS Form 9060-5 – Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness) 

without any additional information provided in the "Remarks" section or on a 

supplemental certificate. 

a. Verifying Documentation Requirements are Met 

You are to check the information on the export application using documentation and 

evidence provided by the applicant for accuracy and completeness, and that the 

requirements of the importing country as listed in the FSIS Export Library have been 

met. IPP are to verify the accuracy of statements on the application and supplemental 

export documents (e.g. letterhead certificate) requiring FSIS signature, when 

necessary, by requesting appropriate supporting documentation from the applicant. 

Three critical parts of this check are to verify that: 

• the establishment is eligible to export product to the importing country and 

• the product is eligible for export to the importing country. 

• the statements on the application and supplemental export documents (e.g. 

letterhead certificate) requiring FSIS signature are accurate (if applicable) 

Start by going to the Export Library to check specific requirements for the importing 

country and compare it to the information on the export application. 

Inspection Methods 32-8 
 

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Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Inspection Methods 32-9 
 

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Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Inspection Methods 32-10 
 

ADDITIONAL STATEMENT 

FSIS FORM 9000-6 (Dar.1912018) 

11. CONTI UATION SHEET FOR 

APPLICATION FOR EXPORT CERTIFICATE 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Figure 1, Application for Export Certificate, FSIS Form 9060-6 

Inspection Methods 32-11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

1. Original: The applicant should have selected this box if the application is 

original and not a replacement. 

2. Replacement Application/Reason for Replacement: The applicant should 

have selected this box if the application is for a replacement certificate. (For a 

one-to-one replacement certificate, the applicant select the reason for the 

replacement. If the replacement is for a split or consolidated certificate, the 

applicant select the appropriate box (split or consolidated) and the reason for the 

replacement). 

3. Certificate Number: This may be blank or it may contain the export certificate 

number, depending on the specific export process at the facility. If the 

establishment doesn’t pre-stamp the export certificate numbers on the containers, it 

will be blank. You need take no additional action. If the establishment does prestamp the containers, this box will contain the export certificate number. That’s 

because the establishment needs the export certificate number in order to complete 

the pre-stamping process. In some facilities, the establishment is given the blank 

export certificate at the same time as the export application. In other facilities, only 

the export certificate number is written in this box and the blank export certificate is 

kept under FSIS control until the completed and signed export application is given 

to you. In either case, ensure that the number written matches the number printed 

on the export certificate. 

(The certificate number from the FSIS 9060-5 Meat/Poultry Export Certificate of 

Wholesomeness, FSIS 9060-5EP, Egg Products Export Certificate of 

Wholesomeness or FSIS Form 9060-5S, Siluriformes Fish and Fish Products 

Export Certificate of Wholesomeness) 

4. Shipment Type: The type of shipment to be certified. 

5. Date of Request: Include the Month, Day, and Year. 

6. Country of Destination: The common country name. 

7. Country of Final Destination: The applicant should have entered the country 

of final destination, if that country is different from the Country of Destination in 

block 6 and a letterhead/additional certificate is required by the Export Library. 

8. Consignor/Exporter: The name and address (street, city, state, and zip code 

divided by commas and on separate lines in the field) of the person or entity 

applying for the export certificate. If desired, the applicant can also include a 

phone number and email address. 

You verify that the applicant name and address is accurate and complete. The 

FSIS inspected facility should ensure that the company name and address match 

the information in the MPI Directory of Official Establishment Number 

Inspection Methods 32-12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

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9. Consignee/Importer: The name and address (street, city, state/province, zip 

code, (as appropriate) divided by commas and on separate lines in the field) of 

the person or entity to whom the consignment is shipped in the country of 

destination. If desired, the applicant can also include a phone number and email 

address. 

10. Export Est. No.: The number of the establishment exporting the product. 

You are to verify if the exporting and/or producing establishment is eligible to export 

product to that country. 

• Is the exporting establishment eligible to export product to that country? 

You are to verify if the exporting and/or producing establishment is eligible to 

export product to that country. For example some countries such as Australia 

and Russia require the establishment that want to export their product to them 

to preapproved in advance via submitting FSIS 9080-3 application, this 

application needs to be submitted by the establishment or their Proxy into 

PHIS regardless to if the country active in PHIS or not. In PHIS, the application 

will be routed for approval in administrative order to the IIC (CSI, or PHV), 

FLS, District Manager, and then to the Office of Policy and Program 

Development, Import/Export Coordination and Policy Development Staff 

(IECPDS). Depending on the country IECPDS, either click approve or 

received. As an example, for Australia, IECPDS can click immediately 

approved, while for other countries like European countries and Mexico, 

IECPDS will click received until it is approved by that particular country. This 

process may take several weeks to months (EU and Mexico). Finally, when 

the 9080-3 application is approved, the establishment will be included in the 

eligible plants list. 

• Did the product move through an area or state that has restrictions? 

For example, was there a low pathogenic avian influenza (AI) outbreak that 

resulted in a ban export of poultry grown in or transiting through that area? 

11. Export Mark to Be Used: The applicant should have selected either the 

USDA Export Mark, or Unique Identifier. If Unique Identifier is selected, the 

applicant should have entered the UI number in the adjacent field. 

12. Description of Product, including Product Code: The labeled name of the 

product (commercial description) as it is to appear on the export certificate, and 

the unique product code associated with the product if desired. 

You are to verify that the product(s) to be exported meet the country requirements. 

You will need to look in multiple sections of the country requirements to make this 

determination. Check: 

• Is the product eligible to be exported to that country? For example: 

 does the country ban importation of sheep and goats, or bonein beef, or ground meat? 

 does the country require Halal certification? 

• If the product must be produced or sourced from an approved AMS Export 

Verification (EV/QSA) program; 

Inspection Methods 32-13 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

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 if the country requires an AMS EV/QSA program for the 

product, check that the EV program requirements are met. 

This includes checking that product codes and product 

descriptions appear exactly the same as listed on Partner Web 

and in the Quality Systems Assessment (QSA) manual (more 

detailed information on EV programs are in the EV/QSA 

Program section covered later). 

• What is needed for required labeling elements; 

 for example, are bilingual or foreign language label required? 

 information needed to verify certain labeling requirements may 

be in the “Processing Requirements” and/or “Other 

Requirements” and/or Labeling Requirement sections. 

• What export documentation is required 

 does the importing country require export certificates specific 

to that country, rather than the standard FSIS Form 9060-5? 

In some cases, FSIS has developed a country-specific export 

certificate of wholesomeness that replaces FSIS Form 9060-5. 

For example, meat and poultry exported to Canada are 

certified on FSIS Form 9135-3, and poultry products exported 

to Russia are certified on FSIS Form 9450-4. 

 are animal health certificates or letterhead certificates 

required in addition to the primary export certificate? 

• Are processing requirements are met (if applicable). For example: 

 do certain products have specific time/temperature heat 

treatment requirements or is there a retained water 

requirement? 

 are there additional sanitary or residue testing requirements? 

• Are facility requirements are met (if applicable) 

 for example, is the use of hyper chlorinated water limited or 

are certain sanitizers required? 

• What/if there are other requirements (in the Additional Requirements 

section)? 

 for example, is there a prohibition on using carcass sprays or 

are additional animal production practice certificates required? 

13. HACCP Cat.: The HACCP category code for each lot of product on the 

application. 

14. Species: The species of the product (If the product contains multiple species, 

applicant to enter the primary species of the product). 

15. Maturity less than 30 mos.: This is required for all beef products (Applicant 

should have entered “Y” if the products came from animals whose age at time of 

slaughter was less than 30 months, or “N” if the products came from animals 

whose age at time of slaughter was 30 months or older). 

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16. Frozen/Shelf-Stable: Applicant should have entered "Y" if the product is 

frozen or shelf-stable or "N" if the product is not frozen or shelf-stable. 

17. Net Weight of Lot: Applicant should have entered the net weight of each lot 

in pounds or kilograms, or pounds and kilograms. (For pounds only, the weight 

with “lbs” following the number, for kilograms only, the weight with “kgs” following 

the number, for pounds and kilograms, the pound weight with “lbs” following the 

number, then below the pound weight in the same box, the kilogram weight in 

with “kgs” following the numbers in parentheses. 

You are to check whether the country requires lot weights in metric or pound or 

ounces measurements. The labeled net weight is required to be expressed in 

pounds or ounces and the method of expressing units on the export application and 

export certificate usually follows the label method. 

If the importing country requires metric units on the application and certificate, the 

applicant must provide you with details of the conversion to metric (for example, the 

conversion factor and formula used). FSIS recommends that applicants use a four 

decimal conversion factor. Marked weights cannot be listed as an estimate. 

18. Number of Packages in Lot: The applicant must indicate the number of 

boxes that will be stamped with the export certificate 

19. Type of Packages in Lot: The type of packages in lot. 

20. Shipping/Identification Marks: If shipping/identification marks are required 

by the importing country as indicated in the Export Library, those listed on the 

application should match those on the certificate. 

21. Est. No. on Product: The establishment number marked on the shipping 

cartons of the product intended for export. 

22. Total Net Weight: The total net weight in pounds or kilograms, or pounds 

and kilograms from all lots in the consignment to be certified. 

23. Total Number of Packages: The total number of packages from all lots in 

the consignment to be certified. 

24. Additional Statement: the applicant should have entered additional 

statement(s) if required by the export library to appear in the remarks section of 

the export certificate of wholesomeness. This also includes replacement 

certificate statements for all original certificates generated in paper-based system 

outside of PHIS. 

Inspection Methods 32-15 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

25. Applicant Signature: Signature of person listed in block 26. 

You are to verify that the applicant has signed the completed application. This 

signature means the applicant confirms that the information on the application is 

complete and accurate. 

26. Printed Name: Printed name of person in block 25. 

27. Date: Include the Month, Day, Year (Example 10/07/2018). 

28. Certifying Official's Signature and Title: Signature and title of certifying 

official. 

29. Printed Name and Title: Printed name and title of certifying official in block 

28 

30. Date: Include the Month, Day, and Year. 

Continuation Sheets: 

I. Continuation Sheet for Application for Export Certificate: The continuation 

of the product grid. 

II. Continuation Sheet for Application for Export Certificate: The continuation 

of the remark section. 

b. Marking/Stamping the Product 

You are to be aware that the applicant may apply the export mark through 

various methods. These methods may include the use of the rubber export 

stamp, the use of a computer-generated export mark (pressure-sensitive onetime use stickers), or the application of an export mark by direct printing (i.e., 

inkjet application) to the box. 

Export stamps are accountable items. Keep them in a secure place, accessible 

only by FSIS personnel. When you issue an export stamp to establishment 

personnel, there must be a method to record which stamp was issued, to whom it 

was issued, when it was issued, and when it was returned. Whatever method is 

used, you must record this information each time you issue an export stamp. 

When you return to your duty station, find out how export stamps are controlled. 

When export stamps wear out or are damaged such that they are not legible, 

destroy the stamp and document that the stamp was removed from service. 

Order new export stamps from the Materiel Management Service Center 

(MMSC). As with the blank export certificates, you will need to sign and return 

the Accountable Items forms when you get the new stamp. 

Stamping

After issuing an export certificate and USDA export stamp to the exporter 

(applicant) the exporter may apply the stamp to the following units of the 

Inspection Methods 32-16 
 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

consignment, depending on the foreign country’s requirements listed in the FSIS 

Export Library: 

1. Each outside container within a consignment (default method unless 

option two or three below are specifically allowed according the Import & 

Export Library | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

2. A securely enclosed pallet or pallets within the consignment (e.g., shrinkwrapped or other effective means); or 

3. The closed means of conveyance transporting the consignment (e.g. 

truck, rail car, or ocean container). 

If the FSIS Export Library does not state that the importing country accepts pallet 

or conveyance export stamping, do not to allow the stamp to be applied in this 

manner. Follow the guidance laid out in FSIS Directive 9000.1. 

Verify that the USDA export stamp–whether applied to each outside container, a 

pallet, or the closed means of conveyance–links the consignment to the 

corresponding export certificate. 

Computer Generated Stamp

An establishment may use a computer generated export stamp (sticker) as long 

as the establishment identifies the number of stickers produced before applying 

them to product and provides IPP with any unused stickers. The export sticker 

must also be equal in size to and an exact impression of the FSIS rubber export 

stamp. They must not be printed until authorized by the inspector and must be 

based on an assigned export certificate number. It must be applied in such a 

manner that prevents the possibility of re-use of the stickers. It must be legible 

and placed in such a manner as to be visible when the product is palletized or 

presented for export verification, 

Common Export Sticker Errors 

 Export stickers are not self-destructive and fall off the boxes without 

tearing or compromising their physical integrity. 

Export stamps and stickers cannot be left in the establishment’s possession 

overnight or over the weekend. They can only be used when you are on duty. 

Before going off duty, you must secure the stamps or stickers when your 

inspection duties are done for the day. All unused stickers must be given to FSIS 

at the end of the stamping process. 

Direct Inkjet Printing of the Export Mark to the Carton or Container. 

Direct inkjet printing of the export mark to the carton or container is allowed, and 

you are to verify that the inkjet mark is equal in size and an exact impression of 

Inspection Methods 32-17 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

the FSIS rubber export stamp in 9 CFR 312.8, 9 CFR 381.104, or 9 CFR 

590.407(e). The export mark should not be printed on the cartons or containers 

until authorized by you. The export mark should only be applied in the quantity 

needed for application to the consignment, and the establishment should notify 

you in advance of the quantity of cartons or containers to be printed. Applying the 

export mark to the cartons or the containers should be done under the 

supervision of a designated, responsible plant employee. It should be legible and 

placed in such a manner as to be visible when the product is palletized or 

presented for export verification. You are to verify that all extra cartons or 

containers containing the inkjet export mark are either destroyed or the export 

mark is removed or completely and permanently covered or defaced to where no 

parts of the mark are visible. 

Pre-stamping

Under some conditions, establishments can pre-stamp the product. Prestamping is when the establishment stamps the boxes and completes the export 

certificate when you are not present. The application of the export mark, stickers, 

or inkjet export marks should be performed during the establishment’s hours of 

operation. Establishments requesting to pre-stamp products intended for export 

are to have a written pre-stamping program approved by FSIS. First, verify the 

establishment has identified an employee who is responsible for the custody of 

the stamp and the certificate. Then, verify the establishment has procedures to 

make sure the stamp will be applied in a clear and legible fashion only on boxes 

that are in sound condition. Remember that boxes that are torn or damp may 

indicate that product is not wholesome. The establishment must return the 

stamp once they complete stamping the product. If at any time you feel it is 

necessary, you can re-inspect the product that was pre-stamped. If the 

establishment fails to follow its pre-stamping program, IPP are to suspend the 

establishment program and document their finding in a MOI. 

Common Pre-Stamping Errors: 

 No export stamp on the boxes designated for export. Even one box 

missing the stamp will cause a problem 

 Export stamp number on the boxes doesn’t match the export 

certificate number. 

Unique Identifier (UI) 

A UI is an alternate export mark that may be used for export consignments 

instead of using the standard USDA export mark that contains the export 

certificate number. The UI may be any combination of numbers or letters. IPP 

are not to certify export consignments marked with a UI unless the importing 

country allows containers to be marked with a UI instead of the standard USDA 

export mark, and the acceptance of UI marking is specifically noted in the FSIS 

Export Library. 

Inspection Methods 32-18 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

The applicant should link the UI to the corresponding export certificate by 

including the following statement in the remarks section of the export certificate 

or on FSIS Form 9060-5B (remarks continuation page): 

“The products covered by this certificate are marked with the Unique Identifier 

X#X#X#X#X#XX#X#.” 

c. Performing a Physical Inspection of Shipping Containers and Product 

Verify that the shipping containers, labels and product are eligible for export. You 

do not need to perform export verification activities on the entire shipment. You are 

to use good judgement in coordination with supervisory instructions, as well as take 

into consideration the history of any export related issues associated with the 

exporting establishment to determine the amount of product you are to perform 

export verification activities on. You are to record the amount of product which you 

verified on the FSIS copy of the 9060-6, Application for Export. For example, 

verified 5 of 20 pallets, or verified 100 of 1000 boxes. 

• Check the condition of the product by doing a physical check of the product 

containers, labels and condition (for example, fresh or frozen product). 

• Verify the shipping containers and product(s) is (are) correctly labeled. 

• Verify manufacturing dates are on the container (if required). 

• Verify bilingual or foreign language labels, if required, are accurate and have 

only approved label wording. 

• Verify the exporter supplying the foreign language sticker has a letter which 

certifies that the sticker is an accurate translation of the wording on the 

approved label. 

• Verify the container weights match the weights listed on the export 

application. 

• Verify the number of containers for export match the numbers on the export 

application. 

• Verify the Shipping/Identification Marks match what is required by the 

importing country as indicated in the Export Library, and with what listed in 

the application (if applicable). 

• Verify the producing establishment number is listed for each product being 

exported, matches the number on the export application, and matches the 

number(s) on the containers. 

• Look for signs that the product may be unwholesome or adulterated, such as 

insanitary handling or storage, off-condition, odor, torn and/or damp cartons, 

blood or fluid from frozen product. 

Re-inspection of Product for Export 

The purpose of re-inspection is to verify the product’s safety, wholesomeness, 

identity, and eligibility for export. Re-inspection may include verifying the identity 

Inspection Methods 32-19 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

of the product, examination of the shipping cartons to observe for signs that the 

consignment is adulterated or unwholesome such as off-condition, odor, 

temperature abuse, torn packaging, damp cartons. 

Producing Establishments

At the official establishments you are not required to conduct re-inspection of 

product for shipments exported directly from the producing establishment. 

Product re-inspection is not required because at the producing establishment you 

have knowledge of the establishment’s procedures for ensuring the safety and 

wholesomeness, of the product. However, you are to perform product reinspection if you have reason to question the identity, soundness of the product, 

or whether the products are properly labeled to meet FSIS regulatory 

requirements. 

Non-Producing Establishment, such as an ID Warehouse or Cold Storage 

Facility

Re-inspection is required when an applicant applies for an export certificate after 

a consignment has moved from the producing establishment to a non-producing 

establishment, such as an ID warehouse or cold storage facility. The 

establishment can develop a written program that does not require FSIS reinspection of each container. This program should consider the establishment’s 

export history compliance, identify the criteria for determining when products will 

be re-inspected, and identify the number of pallets and packages that will be 

inspected when re-inspection is required (e.g., one pallet verified for every 10 

presented, or 10% of consignment). When an establishment develops a written 

program for re-inspection, you are to review and verify that the program is 

adequate, discuss the program with your supervisor, and inform the 

establishment management that failure to follow their written program may result 

in a suspension of the re-inspection program. 

If you find signs of poor handling and storage that cause a food safety concern 

while conducting the organoleptic examination of the shipping cartons at any 

FSIS-inspected establishment, you are to 

• Randomly select a representative sample up to five percent of the boxes 

or containers from the entire shipment, for an in-depth product 

examination. 

• Request that establishment management personnel open the selected 

boxes or containers in a manner that will not create insanitary conditions 

or lead to product adulteration. In an establishment not under continuous 

FSIS inspection (non-official establishment such as ID Warehouse or cold 

storage facility), the selected sample of boxes or containers may be 

moved to a facility where they can be opened in a sanitary environment if 

a proper area cannot be found within the non-official establishment; 

• Request the establishment management to temper or thaw all individual 

packages in the randomly selected boxes or cartons under sanitary 

conditions when product is frozen; 

Inspection Methods 32-20 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

• Re-inspect the product for soundness and wholesomeness; 

For canned products, follow instructions in FSIS Directive 7520.2 Rev 1 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2021-10/7520.2.pdf 

Procedures for Condition of Canned Product Container Examination. 

If the establishment refused to allow product re-inspection, you are to reject the 

export application and are to retain the product and issue a NR and inform your 

supervisor of the situation. 

If the product is found to be unsound or unwholesome, do not sign or approve 

the application, document a noncompliance in PHIS under the appropriate task 

citing the pertinent regulation, issue a NR, Retain the product, and notify your DO 

through your supervisory channels. 

If the product is found to be sound and wholesome, you are to permit the product 

to be re-packaged in a sanitary environment and proceed with the export 

application approval process. 

After checking the Export Library and the product, if you believe that products listed 

on the application are not eligible for export to the country listed on the application, 

the regulatory control is to not sign the export application (FSIS Form 9060-6). 

Discuss your concerns with the exporter. Then, write an MOI detailing your 

discussions and whether your concerns were addressed adequately. Give a copy 

of the completed MOI to the exporter and file a copy in the USDA file. 

Complete the first part of the export certification process by signing and 

dating the verified export application.

Sign and date the application (with that day’s date) under the following conditions: 

o the information on the application is correct and it is signed 

o the country requirements are met 

o there is no reason to conclude that the product is mislabeled, 

ineligible for export to the listed country, adulterated, or 

unwholesome 

After signing and dating the application: 

1. Keep and file a copy of the application and any accompanying documents 

2. Give the originals to the applicant 

3. Give the appropriate blank export certificate (FSIS Form 9060-5) to the 

applicant/exporter. Make sure the certificate number on the export 

application matches the certificate number on the export certificate. The 

applicant will complete the export certificate following the completion 

instructions that are available from the FSIS Export Library page. 

4. Write the export certificate number in box 3 on the application if it wasn’t 

already written. 

Inspection Methods 32-21 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

This brings us to the second part of export certification – verifying the information 

on the export certificate. 

2. Verifying the Information on the Export Certificate 

Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness – FSIS Form 9060-5 

or other export certificate as required by the importing country 

Once you finished verifying the information on the export application, the next 

step is to verify the information on the export certificate. The applicant will 

complete export certificate (FSIS Form 9060-5 or country-specific certificate) and 

any additional certificates needed by the importing country. The applicant will 

give the completed application and certificate(s) to you or to an FSIS Public 

Health Veterinarian, if it needs a veterinary signature. 

Issuing the blank export certificate. 

FSIS has revised the FSIS Form 9060-5 and FSIS Form 9060-5S, so that the 

data fields better align with international standards as well as to accommodate 

additional information from the updated application for export. 

The new FSIS Form 9060-5 export certificates begin with the MPM series. The 

new FSIS Form 9060-5S export certificates begin with the CFB series. The new 

FSIS Forms 9060-5 and 9060-5S, 9060-5A, and 9060-5B are dated June 29, 

2018. 

Export certificates have four parts and each has a unique number printed in the 

upper right corner. Order them from the Materiel Management Service Center 

(MMSC). When you get the blank export certificates, you will have to check the 

certificate numbers against the number listed on the Accountable Items form. 

Once you’ve verified that the numbers match, you sign the Accountable Items 

form and return it to the Materiel Management Service Center. 

Because blank export certificates are accountable items, you must maintain an 

accurate inventory record of export certificates issued to and voided at each 

establishment. Keep them in a secure place, under official government lock or 

seal when not in use. 

All previous editions of the export certificate of wholesomeness are obsolete and 

are not to be used for any meat (including Siluriformes fish) or poultry exports 

dated June 29, 2018 or beyond. You will need to dispose of or return the 

obsolete export certificates following the guidance in FSIS Notice 37-18. 

When you give a blank export certificate to establishment personnel, you need to 

record the number of the certificate, what country it’s for, and when it was issued. 

You can do this in a number of ways, such as a log book or individual pages for 

Inspection Methods 32-22 
 

 

 

 

 

 

/ I 

- -- EST. HO. AC(OOMT,._( IOl;M.NO. OIIITTM ~ 

INVENTORY OF ACCOUNTABLE ITEMS 

ITEM ID! N TlflCATION S~IPPER SIGNATURE IE GINNING 

OR PRODUCl NET OR CONSIGNEE DESTINATION OF DATE INVENTORY 

FORM SERIAL NO/JI. l' WEIGHT EXPORTER INSPECTOR OR BA LANCE ON HAND 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

each country. When you get back to your duty station, find out how export 

certificates are stored and recorded. See the graphic below for an example of an 

inventory record. (Figure 2) 

Figure 2, Example inventory record 

FSIS Form 9060-5 is the generic export certificate issued for most countries, 

however, some countries require a country-specific dedicated export certificate. 

For example, Canada requires meat and poultry products be certified on FSIS 

Form 9135-3, and Russia requires poultry products be certified on FSIS Form 

9450-4. Consult the country requirements in the Export Library for complete 

certification information. For countries that do not use FSIS Form 9060-5, such 

as Canada and Russia, you are to continue certifying exports for meat and 

poultry using the designated form. FSIS Form 9060-5A and 9060-5B are not to 

be used as continuation pages for countries that do not use FSIS Form 9060-5. 

FSIS Form 9060-5EP, Egg Products Export Certificate of Wholesomeness, has 

not changed. FSIS will continue issuing the current paper version of FSIS Form 

9060-5EP for all egg product exports following current procedures. However, 

FSIS Forms 9060-5A and FSIS Form 9060-5B, are to be used as necessary for 

the continuation of the associated FSIS Form 9060-5EP. 

There are three parts to verifying the export certificate information, all done by 

the certifying official: 

a. comparing the information on the export application to the 

export certificate. 

b. checking the information on the export certification against 

the country requirements in the Export Library. 

c. checking additional and/or letterhead certificates, if required,

meet country requirements. 

So, what does the certifying official verify on the export certificate(s)? We will 

walk through each step in the verification process, using a copy of the export 

certificate (see Figure 3). 

Refer to the export application section for detailed information about verifying 

product and establishment eligibility. 

Inspection Methods 32-23 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Compare the information on the export certificate to the information on the 

export application. Ensure it is accurate and matches the export 

application. 

o check the consignee name and address 

o check that the consignee address is in the same country listed 

in the “Country of Destination” box 

o check the printed export certificate number match the export 

certificate number in the export application 

o check the Est. Number and City are correct 

o ensure the correct boxes are checked 

Common Export Certificate Errors 

 The establishment address does not exactly match the address 

listed in the “Eligible Plant List” webpage linked to the Export 

Library (Eligible U.S. Establishments by Country) 

Check that the total net weight equals the combined marked weight of each 

individual product. 

Check that total container number equals the combined number of packages 

in the lot. 

Compare the information on the export certificate to the information on the 

export application. Ensure it is accurate and matches the export application. 

o check product names and code numbers (if applicable) 

 Export Library – check that the product is eligible to 

export to the designated country 

o check marked weights for each product 

 weights should be in pounds 

 metric weights (if required) should be in parentheses 

after pound weights 

o check number of containers of each product 

 an increase in the number of containers requires a new 

application 

Inspection Methods 32-24 
 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Common Export Certificate Errors 

 The number of boxes listed on the export certificate is greater than 

the number of boxes listed on the application for export certificate. 

 The total marked net weight listed on the export certificate is 

greater than the total of marked weight listed on the application for 

export certificate. 

 The marked weight of lot is greater than can be contained in the 

number of packages in the lot. 

o check the shipping marks/company seal numbers (if applicable) 

 Export Library – check if the importing country requires 

shipping marks, company seals, or transport vessel 

numbers 

o check the establishment number on the product 

 Export Library – check that the establishment is eligible 

to export to the designated country 

Verify that only the required remarks are in the Remarks section or on the 

remarks continuation page, FSIS Form 9060-5B. 

o check the Export Library for any required remarks 

o required remarks must exactly match statements listed in the 

Export Library 

o leave blank if no required remarks are listed in the Export 

Library 

o check that the remarks are applicable to the product exported 

Common Export Certificate Errors 

 The establishment adds statements to the “Remarks” section of the 

export certificate not specifically authorized in the Export Library. 

Check the appropriate box(es) indicating that the animal received ante- and 

post-mortem inspection. 

Additional and/or Letterhead Certificates. 

The country requirements in the Export Library will show if the importing country 

needs additional certificates. These additional certificates, supplemental 

documents, are usually hyperlinked in the Export Library, so clicking on the 

hyperlink will take you to the certificate. In addition to the certificate, there may 

also be instructions for completing the additional certificate. The applicant is 

Inspection Methods 32-25 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

responsible for correctly completing any additional required certificates. You 

should get them at the same time as the completed export application and 

completed export certificate. 

Not every country requires additional certificates and some countries require 

multiple certificates. Transit certificates may be required if the exported product 

is entering another country on its way to the final destination. Some countries 

require animal health certificates. Statement of verification (SOV) letters are a 

specific type of additional certification required by some countries as part of an 

export verification (EV) program. We will look at verifying EV/QSA programs 

separately. In some cases, USDA/FSIS letterhead certification is necessary and 

is issued for certain products when specified in the individual country 

requirements. 

You can find this information in the Export Library. If the exporter submits a 

letterhead certificate along with the export certificate, verify that: 

o the submitted letterhead certificate is the current version found in 

the Export Library 

o there were no statements changed on the letterhead certificate 

o the letterhead certificate is dated by the exporter 

o any certification required by another USDA Agency (e.g., AMS) is 

provided with the completed letterhead 

Only sign additional or letterhead certificates that are specifically identified as 

Required in the Export Library country requirements. 

Common Export Certificate Errors 

 Different certifying officials sign the export certificate and 

supporting documents (e.g. letterhead certificates). 

 There are different signature dates on the export certificate and 

supporting documents (e.g. letterhead certificates). 

After reviewing the documents and before signing the certificate: 

o Check the certificate for accuracy and corrections. 

o Check for attachments and ensures that the exporting firm has 

lined-out any unused space. 

o Do not initial minor erasures or alterations, unless this is 

acceptable to a foreign country. (See Export Library to verify if 

receiving country permits erasures or alterations). Most 

countries do not allow this, or the use of correction tape or fluid. 

It is best to reissue the certificate if there are errors to reduce 

the chance of delays or rejections of the shipment. 

Inspection Methods 32-26 
 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Now we come to the final step in the export certification process: 

3. Signing and Dating the Export Certificate, and any Additional

Required Supplemental Documents. 

Sign and date the original certificate, continuation sheets, and other 

certifications, including letterhead certificates. 

o use any color other than black ink, unless a specific color is 

required in the Export Library 

o if the importing country requires a PHV signature, include his or 

her professional degree 

o date the certificate for the day it was signed 

Common Export Certificate Errors 

 Export certificate is first signed in black ink and then the signature is 

overwritten in blue ink. 

 Ineligible products are certified for export. 

 Product shipment dates precede the export certificate certification 

dates. 

Do not stamp the export certificate or required supplemental documents with the 

export stamp unless it’s required by the receiving country as specified in the 

Export Library. 

Refusal to Sign Export Certificates. Do not sign the certificate if there are 

questions about the information on export application, export certificate or any 

other certificates, including letterhead certificates. Contact the inspection 

program employee who signed the application, the exporter, or the Import/Export 

Coordination and Policy Development Staff at (800) 444-9904 to address all 

questions. Any communication that the certifying official has with the exporter 

should be documented in a Memorandum of Interview. If a certifying official 

refuses to sign a certificate, the reasons for refusal will be reviewed by the nextline supervisor. Based on the review, the next-line supervisor will take further 

actions. 

Inspection Methods 32-27 
 

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Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Figure 3, Export Certificate, FSIS Form 9060-5 

Inspection Methods 32-28 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

11-03-2021 

Replacement Certificates

The IPP are to issue a replacement certificate and the FSIS certifying official is to 

date the replacement certificate with the current date when signing the certificate. 

Time Limits. An IPP is to issue a replacement certificate without any further recertification if the exporter makes the request for the replacement certificate 

within ninety days if the product on the certificate is not a frozen or a shelf stable 

product. If the product is either a frozen or a shelf stable product, the exporter 

has 364 days to request a replacement certificate. 

Reasons for Replacement Certificates. A certificate replacing an original 

export certificate is a re-certification of the product’s condition at the time of the 

initial export certification. A replacement certificate for a lot does not represent 

that lot’s current condition. A replacement certificate may be issued in situations 

such as: 

o The original certificate did not carry required information 

o The original certificate carried incorrect information 

o The name of the consignee or exporter has changed 

o The certificate has been lost or damaged 

o The destination has changed a replacement certificate can be 

issued, provided the new destination does not have an existing 

AMS EV Program for that product. This information can be 

found in the Export Library. 

A new export application (FSIS Form 9060-6) is submitted by the exporter to 

request a replacement export certificate (FSIS Form 9060-5) and must be 

accompanied by (if possible) the original and all copies of the original certificate. 

Exception: In the case of lost certificates, the exporter should provide a letter of 

assurance to the certifying official stating the certificate will be returned if found. 

You should attach the superseded certificate to the inspector’s copy of the 

replacement certificate and file it in the government office. 

You are to process all replacement applications and certificates in the same 

manner they process original applications and certificates as described in this 

directive. You are not to approve a replacement certificate request where the 

package count or the weights are more than the amounts listed on the original 

certificates. All replacement certificates are to contain the current date (i.e., the 

date IPP sign the replacement certificate). 

If an original certificate has not been signed, and a new certificate is required in 

place of the original certificate (e.g., because of clerical error, print misalignment, 

paper damaged, etc.), the date of reference used in the replacement statement in 

the remarks section of the new certificate should be the current date which the 

new certificate is signed. This only applies when the export shipment is already 

marked with the original certificate number. If the export shipment does not 

contain the export mark, the original export certificate is to be voided and 

maintained in government file and a new export certificate is to be issued. The 

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export shipment is then to be marked with the number of the new export 

certificate. 

IPP are not to approve an export certificate for a consolidated or subdivided 

(split) shipment if the applicant does not return the original export certificate and 

all copies. A letter for a lost original certificate is only sufficient for IPP to 

approve a one to one replacement certificate. 

If an establishment wishes to split a shipment with stamped pallets or 

conveyance into multiple shipments, or consolidate the shipment into another 

shipment, and the original pallet or conveyance stamp no longer links the 

shipment to the certificate, you are to treat the split or consolidated shipment 

as a new consignment. The exporter is to submit a new application for export 

certification, and apply a new export stamp that links the split or consolidated 

consignment to the export certificate. Verify that all of the importing country’s 

requirements have been met as listed in the FSIS Export Library. 

Remarks. For all replacement export certificates, IPP are to verify that all 

previous certificate numbers and associated dates appear in the “Remarks” 

section of the most current certificate as follows: “This certificate replaces 

certificate no. <insert original certificate number(s)> dated <insert date(s) of the 

original certificate(s)>. The export mark on the product covered by this certificate 

shows certificate no. ________.” See the following examples: 

Example 1 (single replacement): “This certificate replaces certificate no. MPK123456 dated 11/1/2012. The export mark on the product covered by this 

certificate shows certificate no. MPK-123456.”; 

Example 2 (series of replacements): “This certificate replaces certificate no. 

MPK-234567 dated 12/01/2012, which replaced certificate no. MPK-123456 

dated 11/01/2012. The export mark on the product covered by this certificate 

shows certificate no. MPK-123456.”; 

Example 3 (consolidation): This certificate replaces certificate nos. MPK-123456 

dated 11/01/2012 and MPK-234567 dated 12/01/2012. The export mark on the 

product covered by this certificate shows certificate nos. MPK-123456 and MPK234567.”; or 

Example 4 (subdivision/split): This certificate replaces certificate no. MPK123456 dated 11/1/ 2012. The export mark on the product covered by this 

certificate shows certificate no. MPK-123456. 

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Certifying Products under Export Verification and Quality System 

Assessment (EV/QSA) Programs 

Certain countries require exporting facilities to meet very specific additional 

requirements for the way in which meat and poultry products are produced. Only 

facilities and products which meet those specific requirements are eligible to 

export products to that country. These requirements are met through an Export 

Verification (EV) Program or a Less Than 30 Months of Age Verification Quality 

System Assessment Program (QSA LT-30), called EV/QSA programs. 

Instructions related to these programs can be found in FSIS Directive 38-14, 

dated August 13, 2014. Export Verification training is available on the FSIS 

website at Inspection & Technical Training | Food Safety and Inspection Service 

(usda.gov). FSIS employees must complete the Export Verification course in 

AgLearn. 

The Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Grading and Verification Division 

administers the USDA, AMS, EV/QSA programs. The Grading and Verification 

Division is responsible for reviewing and approving companies as eligible 

suppliers of meat and poultry products under the USDA, AMS, EV/QSA 

programs and for maintaining approved supplier lists and approved product lists 

provided by the company, when required by the individual countries. The 

EV/QSA programs outline the specified product requirements for individual 

countries. 

Establishments which wish to export product to countries that require an EV/QSA 

program must request approval from AMS to participate in that EV/QSA program. 

Establishments must pass an initial audit to get AMS approval. Establishments 

must also maintain a copy of all EV/QSA program audit reports, which are 

subject to FSIS review, and discuss the audit reports with IPP before their first 

EV/QSA export. 

In situations where a supplier and fabricator are separate establishments, the 

fabricator is to maintain a list of establishments that are approved EV/QSA 

suppliers, as required by AMS. In addition, AMS requires that the fabricator 

maintain a list of products that each EV/QSA supplier is approved to provide 

under its approved EV/QSA program. 

You need to be aware of the location and contents of the establishment’s 

approved EV/QSA program Quality Systems Assessment (QSA) Manual to verify 

export requirements relating to proper execution of the program. The QSA 

Manual has a list of products intended for export approved under the EV/QSA 

program. The list includes all items that are intended for export, the specific 

product code numbers, and a detailed description of each item. Maintaining this 

information is an AMS requirement as part of an approved EV/QSA program. All 

these establishment records are subject to FSIS review as part of the approved 

EV/QSA program. 

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You can ask establishment management if they have an AMS-approved EV/QSA 

program during the weekly meeting or by looking on the AMS web site that lists 

approved establishments. 

This is how you get to the AMS web site: 

• go online to the Home | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) 

• on the top right side of the page at the Search FSIS Window Enter AMS 

and click on the magnifying glass 

• in the center of the page, click on “Countries with Approved Export 

Verification (EV) Programs” 

• in the center of the page, click on the hyperlink for the appropriate 

species EV program – for example: “LS Bovine EV Programs” 

o this opens the AMS web page titled “Bovine, Ovine and Caprine 

Export Verification Programs” 

o scroll down the page and click on “Official Listing of 

Bovine Export Verification Programs – PDF file” 

o review the PDF file that lists the AMS-approved suppliers 

• alternatively, scroll down and click on the country name then click on the 

AMS link in the country requirements 

To review the specific EV/QSA program requirements that establishments 

must meet to be AMS-approved: 

• stay on or return to the AMS web page for the appropriate species or 

country EV/QSA program – for example: “LS Bovine EV Programs” 

• scroll down the page and click on appropriate hyperlink at the bottom of 

the page, listed under the following header: “The following Procedures 

outline the specified product requirements for individual countries:” 

• there may be additional EV/QSA program information, including “SRMfree Bovine Inedible Raw Materials – PDF file”. Review as 

needed. 

Common EV/QSA Program Errors 

 IPP do not review the QSA or AMS annual audit report 

If AMS delists an establishment, the District Office will receive notification of the 

delisting. The DO will notify the affected FSIS in-plant personnel. Export library 

may be updated to reflect the delistment of the establishment. 

1- Application for Export Certificate – FSIS Form 9060-6 

The method you use to certify product for export under an EV/QSA program is 

the same as you perform for non-EV/QSA program export certification. The 

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difference is that you will need to verify some additional requirements when 

certifying exports for countries with an EV/QSA program. 

So, to recap, the first part of checking the export application is the same: 

• check if the application is an original or “Replacement Certificate” 

• check the export certification number (if present) 

• check if the applicant information is accurate 

• check the country of designation 

• check the exporting establishment number is listed 

• check the District number of the exporting facility is accurate 

• go to the Export Library to check establishment and product eligibility 

This is the point at which you will also check if the product to be exported 

must be produced under an EV/QSA program. 

Overview of EV/QSA program verification 

Here are the additional steps that you must take to verify that product 

exported under an EV/QSA program meets the country requirements: 

1. Check that the official facility has an AMS-approved EV/QSA program 

for that country 

2. Check that the official facility is eligible to export product to that country 

3. Check that any additional product suppliers are eligible to export 

product to that country 

4. Check that the non-official facility (ID warehouse, cold storage facility) 

is eligible to export product to that country 

5. Check the product is eligible for export to that country 

6. Check the product codes (if necessary) are approved for export to that 

country 

7. Check if the country requires a Statement of Verification (SOV) for the 

exported product 

8. Check that the applicant supplied a copy of the SOV with the 

completed export application, additional certificates (if needed) and 

completed export certification when presenting for IPP signature 

9. Check if the supporting documents such as the lab sampling results (if 

applicable) are available. 

Not all countries will require all these steps. In addition, not all establishments are 

required to have an AMS-approved EV/QSA program to export products. 

There may be specific EV/QSA program requirements for the supplier, for the 

exporting facility, and for the product being exported. You have to carefully read 

the country requirements in the Export Library to determine which ones to do for 

each export you certify. 

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Statement of Verification (SOV) requirements 

In some cases, as part of its EV/QSA-approved program, the establishment 

must obtain an SOV for Export from AMS. The SOV confirms that AMS 

conducted a review of the required documents and slaughter and processing 

establishment information as listed on the export application and export 

certificate. It also confirms that AMS determined that the items listed were 

eligible items approved for export to the country listed on the certificate and 

from the facilities listed. 

The exporting facility must obtain the SOV confirming that the EV program met 

the country requirements and that the products are eligible for export, before the 

FSIS certifying official signs the completed export certificate. 

Establishments that need to obtain an SOV for Export must contact AMS directly, 

using the procedure put in place by AMS. Information about the procedure to 

obtain SOVs for Export and a list of countries that require an AMS SOV for 

Export are provided in the AMS document titled Microsoft Word - QAD 1030 EV 

Programs Additional Requirements 07 15 15 (usda.gov) 

Common EV/QSA Program Errors 

 The product codes or description do not match the approved 

product list 

 The statement, “Product meets the EV requirements”, is not 

included in the Remarks section of the application form when 

required 

Verifying product codes in Partner Web. Partner Web is the site within the 

FSIS Intranet site that holds the detailed information you need to verify that 

specific products are eligible for export to countries with EV/QSA programs. The 

Partner Web site is only for approved FSIS and AMS personnel to verify export 

certificates for beef and ovine products. It can only be accessed by using your 

eAuthentication password on the FSIS Intranet. 

• Click on the Inside FSIS (usda.gov) intranet hyperlink. 

o Sign into the FSIS Intranet using your eAuthentication 

password. This takes you to a page titled “Importing and 

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Exporting”, sub-titled “Bovine and Ovine Export Programs”. You 

may see this site referred to as “Partner Web” 

o Click on “List of Approved Exportable Products by 

Establishment” 

 scroll through the document and find the relevant 

establishment number 

 click on the “Product List Link” 

• scroll down the list to find the relevant Product 

Name, Product Code and Description. Verify that 

the specifically identified product is eligible for 

export to the applicable country 

It is important to understand that all the information in this area is confidential. It 

must not be printed or shared with anyone outside FSIS or AMS. 

It is also important to understand that you are not to print the “List of Approved 

Exportable Products by Establishment” and if it’s printed, it’s no longer official. 

You must go to Partner Web and verify the approved exportable products online 

each time you need to verify specific product codes for export certification. 

The Partner Web site also has the following detailed information: 

• “Verify Countries with an Approved Export Program”, which links 

back to the FSIS web site export pages 

• “List of Approved Shipping Locations for Korea”, which lists 

slaughter, processing, and cold storage facilities eligible to export 

product to Korea 

• “List of Approved Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Suppliers”, 

which lists farms, ranches, and feedlots approved under the NHTC 

program, required for certain products exported to European Union 

countries 

• “Products Identification System by Establishment for Pork to the 

Russian Federation”, which lists the establishments and products 

identification systems used to identify pork products eligible for 

export to the Russian Federation. 

You will need to review these additional programs or lists if one or more are 

applicable to the export application. None of these lists are to be printed. If 

printed, they are no longer official. 

When you have finished verifying the EV/QSA program requirements, you will verify 

the rest of the export requirements in the same way as you perform the nonEV/QSA program verification. That is: 

• Check marked weight of lot 

• Check shipping marks (if listed) 

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• Check if additional certificates, seals, and certifications needed (in 

addition to the SOV) 

• Check that the applicant signed and dated the application 

• Perform an organoleptic evaluation of the product (if necessary or 

required) 

• Check that the containers and product are correctly labeled 

• Check that container weights and numbers match the values on the 

application 

• Check that establishment numbers on the containers match numbers on 

the application 

If the applicant has signed and dated the application, the country requirements are 

met, and there’s no reason to conclude that the product is mislabeled, ineligible for 

export to the listed country, adulterated, or unwholesome, complete the first part of 

the export certification process by signing and dating the verified export application. 

Common EV/QSA Program Errors 

 Export application was not signed by FSIS personnel 

• File a copy of the application and accompanying documents and give the 

originals to the applicant 

• Issue the appropriate blank export certificate 

• issue the export stamp 

• secure the stamp after the establishment finishes stamping the 

containers 

If the application or product is not acceptable because an EV/QSA 

requirement has not been met, do not sign the application. Return it to the 

applicant and follow the instructions in the section below titled “Improper 

execution of an AMS-approved EV/QSA program”. 

Improper execution of an AMS-approved EV/QSA program. If you find that 

facilities are not correctly executing their EV/QSA program as required, do not 

sign export applications. Some examples of not correctly executing an EV/QSA 

program are attempting to ship product that isn’t eligible for the importing country 

and attempting to ship product without the required SOV. In addition, you need 

to notify AMS at arcbranch@ams.usda.gov with the following information: 

o Establishment name, address and number 

o Product type, product code, and quantity of product 

o Date of production, lot number, and shift 

o Date and nature of observation 

o Name of country for which product is intended 

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o Export certificate number (if applicable) 

o Any other information to verify claim 

o Name of IPP documenting concerns 

Also, send a courtesy copy of the notification to your immediate supervisor and to 

IEPDS at ImportExport@fsis.usda.gov. Save a copy of the message in the 

government export file. 

If any of the problems with the EV/QSA requirements are also regulatory noncompliances, take the appropriate enforcement actions and issue an NR. 

So, let’s look now at verifying the export certificate and signing (or certifying) the 

export certificate. 

2- Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness – FSIS Form 

9060-5 

As with the export application, you will certify export of product produced under 

an EV/QSA program using the same procedure you use for non-EV/QSA 

program certification. However, you will need to perform some additional 

verification steps before signing the export certificate. 

So, what are the additional components that must be verified when an export 

certificate includes product covered by an EV/QSA program? 

You need to verify if the country requires: 

• an EV/QSA program for some or all exported product 

• product can only be exported from approved facilities (slaughter, 

processing, cold storage, ID warehouses) 

• an SOV for some or all exported product 

• specific product codes and product descriptions for products subject to 

the EV/QSA program 

To do this, you (as the certifying official) will need to review the country 

requirements in the Export Library. 

Common EV/QSA Program Errors 

 Product codes and product descriptions on the export certificate are 

not written verbatim from the eligible product list 

 Signing an export certificate for product that are not eligible under 

an EV/QSA program 

When the applicant brings export documents to you to certify, you should expect 

to receive the following forms: 

Inspection Methods 32-37 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• the original export application (FSIS Form 9060-6), signed by the FSIS 

inspector 

• the original unsigned export certificate (FSIS Form 9060-5) or other 

applicable export certificate 

• any other certificates required by the importing country, including 

letterhead certificates and supporting documents 

• when required, a copy of the SOV for Export from AMS which 

confirms: 

o that AMS conducted a review of the required documents and 

slaughter and processing establishment listed 

o that AMS determined that the items listed are eligible items 

approved for export to the country listed on the certificate and 

from the facilities listed 

This last point is an important one. If the importing country requires an SOV for 

the products being imported into that country, you must see a copy of the SOV 

confirming that the EV/QSA program requirements were met before you sign the 

export documents. It is important to verify that the SOV accompanying the 

export certificate applies to that specific export certificate. You need to confirm 

that the export certificate number and the products specified on the SOV match 

those listed on the export certificate 

Over time, exporters have become more vigilant about ensuring that only eligible 

beef and beef products from eligible establishments are exported to the relevant 

countries. Because of this, many countries no longer require an SOV from AMS 

for beef and beef products. Although these countries don’t require an SOV, you 

still need to verify the eligibility of the establishment and product. 

3- Sign the Export Certificate (and associated certifications) 

If all the relevant export documents are presented, meet the country 

requirements and meet the EV/QSA program requirements, sign all certificates in 

other than black ink. Keep a copy of the AMS SOV for Export in the 

government file along with the certifications. 

If any of the documents are not accurate or do not meet the country 

requirements, do not sign the export documents. Notify the establishment and 

explain the problem, document the problem in a memorandum of interview (MOI) 

and keep copies of the questionable documents and MOI in the government file. 

If the certificate or product is not acceptable because an EV/QSA program 

requirement has not been met, follow the procedure listed in the earlier section 

called “Improper execution of an AMS-approved EV/QSA program. 

Inspection Methods 32-38 
 

Export Certification 

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If there is noncompliance with regulatory requirements, for example, the product 

is mislabeled or shows signs of poor handling, document a noncompliance 

record under the relevant 9 CFR Part 350 regulation. 

Inspection Methods 32-39 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Export Certification 

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Export Related Reimbursable Services 

FSIS provides voluntary inspection services to accommodate business needs 

such as obtaining the certifications needed to meet the requirements of importing 

countries. These inspection services are called voluntary reimbursable services 

and are authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq. 

through 7 CFR Part 2, Subpart C). 

Voluntary reimbursable services are provided only when they are requested by a 

facility. Facilities must apply and receive approval from the District Office using 

FSIS Form 5200-6. The regulations (9 CFR 350.6 and 362.4) allow the District 

Manager to deny voluntary reimbursable services to any person for a number of 

reasons. The District Manager also has the authority to reinstate voluntary 

reimbursable services. 

Export activities and certifications done in addition to FSIS regulatory 

requirements, such as additional certification required by the importing country, 

are reimbursable services. Basic export services completed during the regularly 

scheduled administrative workweek are part of mandatory inspection provided to 

the regulated industry. Basic export services include verifying that information on 

the export application (FSIS Form 9060-6) and the standard export certificate 

(FSIS Form 9060-5) is accurate, that country requirements are met for the 

applicable products, and certification of the export documents by a Consumer 

Safety Inspector. 

Reimbursable export activities are those done in addition to the basic services in 

order to meet specific country requirements for imported products. Some 

examples of reimbursable certification activities include: 

• Certifying supplemental export certificates/letterhead documents 

required in addition to the basic export certificate (FSIS Form 

9060-5) 

• Export document certifications that require a FSIS veterinary 

signature 

• Verifying the accurate translation of foreign language labels 

• Issuing replacement certificates 

• Verifying trichina certification statements 

• PHV ante mortem inspection of poultry intended for export to 

Russia 

• Verifying Export Verification programs 

All export activities performed at non-official establishments (ID 

warehouses, cold-storage warehouses, etc.) 

This list is not all inclusive. If you have questions about a specific export activity, 

submit the questions through askFSIS at askFSIS | Food Safety and Inspection 

Service (usda.gov) or contact the IEPDS at ImportExport@fsis.usda.gov or at 

(800) 444-9904. 

Inspection Methods 32-40 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Inspection program personnel charge fees for all reimbursable services for the 

time required to render such service, including travel time used in connection 

with providing the service. You charge for voluntary reimbursable services 

during your regular tour of duty when you perform export activities authorized as 

reimbursable services. These charges should include all of the actual time spent 

performing the reimbursable services, including the time to travel to and from a 

facility where the reimbursable service is rendered. Record reimbursable 

services performed during your regular tour of duty on FSIS Form 5110-1 

Services Rendered. You will also separate out and record the time spent doing 

voluntary reimbursable services in WebTA under the appropriate management 

code and using transaction code “01”. 

If you are performing voluntary reimbursable services during overtime periods 

(outside your regular tour of duty), record the time spent on FSIS Form 5110-1 

Services Rendered and in WebTA under the applicable overtime transaction 

code. 

There is a 0.25 (1⁄4) hour minimum charge for reimbursable services, rounded to 

the nearest quarter hour (9 CFR 307.6(a) & 381.39(a)). 

Example: round more than seven minutes but less than 22 minutes of 

reimbursable services to a 1⁄4 hour, or round more than 22 minutes but 

less than 37 minutes to a 1⁄2 hour, and so on. 

Generally, overtime work of less than seven minutes’ duration immediately 

following the official tour of duty, is not charged to the establishment. 

Documenting Export Verification Tasks in the Public Health

Inspection System (PHIS) 

Record export verification services as a directed task in official 

establishments, on the day that you sign the export certificate. 

Record export verification services in non-official facilities using the four 

voluntary inspection tasks in the task list that have a “(V)” designation after the 

task name. This indicates that you are doing inspection tasks in “voluntary-only 

facilities”. 

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Section B 

Overview - Performing Export Certification If the Importing Country

is Active in PHIS (Electronic Export) 

FSIS began implementing the PHIS Export Component on June 29, 2018, with phase 

1, 16 countries, and on May 20, 2019, with phase 2 countries. FSIS gradually will 

expand to additional countries. 

Phase 1 countries are Afghanistan, Andorra, Bahamas, Bolivia, Burundi, Cape 

Verde, Cook Islands, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, 

Mozambique, San Marino, Tanzania, Uganda. For countries active in the PHIS 

export module, all meat and poultry export applications are to be completed 

through PHIS. Applicants must submit an application through PHIS or submit a 

paper application to the FSIS Proxy for entry into PHIS on the applicant’s behalf. 

For all exports to countries that are active in PHIS you are to use PHIS to print 

the approved export certificates on FSIS security paper. 

Phase 2 countries are Angola, Antarctica, Aruba, Bhutan, Botswana, Bouvett 

Island, Brunei Darussalam, Christmas Island, Comoros, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, 

Faroe Islands, French Southern and Antarctic Islands, Greenland, Guernsey, 

Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, 

and Vietnam. 

Phase 3 Peoples Republic of China. 

Phase 4 Bangladesh, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin 

Islands, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African 

Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, 

Gabon, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, 

Mauritania, Micronesia, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Palau, Samoa, Sierra Leone, 

Togo, and Tonga. 

Phase 5 Benin, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Grenada, Guyana, 

Honduras, Macao, Myanmar, Panama, Qatar, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, and 

United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Note: All phase 1 and phase 2 countries accept digital signature and don’t 

require veterinarian wet signature except 

- Vietnam 

- A transit shipment that is going through the EU. For example an 

export shipment going to Afghanistan through the EU. 

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A seven-digit export number will be automatically generated by PHIS. All exports 

processed through PHIS will use the seven-digit export certificate number as the 

USDA export stamp to mark products for export. IPP that certify exports to 

countries that are active in PHIS are to order a seven-digit export stamp. This is 

an accountable item and must be securely handled in the same fashion as the 

six-digit export stamp. 

The Following Steps are the Work Flow if a PHV Signature is Not Required by 

the Importing Country – Manually Signing the Export Certificate 

1. Establishment submit a 9060-6 application in PHIS. Once an application 

for export certification is created in PHIS, the applicant immediately receives 

a seven (7) digit certificate number. Establishment management continues to 

be responsible for notifying IPP when a shipment is ready for export 

verification and certification. 

2. PHIS will verify the eligibility of the product based on Hazard 

Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) category, species, and 

maturity (for beef only). Once PHIS validates the application, an export 

task is generated in the establishment task list. The export task name will 

contain the seven (7) digit (numbers only) export application number that 

is generated by PHIS. For example, the export task for a CSI will appear 

as (0001234) Export Cert – CSI and the associated PHV export task (if 

required) will appear as (0001234) Export Cert – PHV. 

3. IPP are to schedule and perform a separate export task for each 

application in PHIS. You are to be aware that the applicant can continue 

to edit the application even after the associated export task is scheduled in 

PHIS, however once you have opened and saved the export task 

associated with an application, the applicant can no longer edit the 

application. When you complete all your verification activities (same 

verification activities that are explained in section A of this training 

material) and verified that the establishment is conforming to all the 

importing country requirements, click approve and sign in export task in 

PHIS. If you find that the foreign country requirements have not been met 

or that the establishment or product is not eligible to export to the foreign 

country, you are to reject the application after typing the cause of the 

rejection in the justification box in the task. 

4. Print the certificate on security paper, and manually sign it with other 

than black ink. You are to check the FSIS Export Library for any specific 

color ink requirements for signing export certificates and other required 

supplemental documents. The same certifying official is to sign the export 

certificate, all continuation pages, and any required supplemental 

documents, such as letterhead certificates, unless specific exceptions are 

provided in the FSIS Export Library. 

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5. Print any attached supplemental documents that require signature 

on standard 8 1⁄2” x 11” white paper, and sign it. The date is to be the 

same as that on the export certificate. 

6. Scan the certificate, continuation page and supplemental

documents, if any, and upload the documents to the task, and 

complete the task. Scan the signed certificate and the supplemental 

documents as a single document file in PDF format to the government 

computer. Place all document in one stack with the 9060-5 on top, 

followed by any 9060-5 continuation sheet, if applicable, and followed by 

any supplemental documents. Place the document in the document feeder 

on the printer and scan them to the computer and save the file as a single 

PDF with the title being the export certificate number. Individual file size 

cannot exceed 5 MB. If the file exceeds 5 MB, you are to split the 

documents into smaller sub-groups. If documents need to be divided into 

sub-groups to accommodate the 5 MB file size limit, each file should be 

saved as a PDF with the title including the export certificate number with 

additional sequencing designation (e.g., 1234567a, 1234567b, etc.). The 

saved files will appear as “1234567a.pdf” and “1234567b.pdf”, etc. 

7. Provide the signed original certificates and supplemental documents 

to the person, company, or courier designated by the applicant. Since all 

export certificates and supplemental documents are to be scanned into 

the export task in PHIS, there is no need for IPP to print and maintain a 

paper copy of these documents in the government files. 

8. Complete, save, and close the export task. 

The following are the Steps in PHIS 

1. Log on to PHIS with the Consumer Safety Inspector role. 

2. Click Task Calendar. 

3. On the Task Calendar page, click the Filter Task drop-down menu and 

select Export. 

4. Click the Select Establishment drop-down menu and select appropriate 

establishment. 

5. Under the Directed column, click Add for the export application task 

you need to schedule. 

6. Choose a date to schedule the task and select a reason for performing 

the task. 

7. Click Save. 

8. Right click the task you scheduled and select Document. 

9. From the Inspection Results window, enter the mandatory information 

on the Activity and Regulations tabs. 

10.Click the Approvals tab. 

11.Click Approve and Sign. 

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12.Depending on the country requirements, follow the instructions 

documented in the Error! Reference source not found. section. 

• Print the certificate on security paper. 

• Sign and date it. 

• Print any supplemental documentation by clicking the 

Supplemental Document or Transit Letterhead links on 8 1⁄2” 

x 11” white paper 

• Scan both the certificate and supplemental documentation as 

one PDF file and save to your computer. 

• Upload the PDF file to PHIS, the signed certificate package will 

appear in the Attachments section. 

13.Select Inspection Complete check box. 

14.Click Save. 

The Following are the Work Flow if a PHV Signature is Required by the 

Importing Country – Manually Signing the Export Certificate 

CSI Role 

1. Establishment submit a 9060-6 application in PHIS. Once an application 

for export certification is created in PHIS, the applicant immediately receives 

a seven (7) digit certificate number. Establishment management continues to 

be responsible for notifying IPP when a shipment is ready for export 

verification and certification. 

2. PHIS will verify the eligibility of the product based on Hazard 

Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) category, species, and 

maturity (for beef only). Once PHIS validates the application, an export 

task is generated in the establishment task list. The export task name will 

contain the seven (7) digit (numbers only) export application number that 

is generated by PHIS. For example, the export task for a CSI will appear 

as (0001234) Export Cert – CSI and the associated PHV export task (if 

required) will appear as (0001234) Export Cert – PHV. 

3. IPP are to schedule and perform a separate export task for each 

application in PHIS. You are to be aware that the applicant can continue 

to edit the application even after the associated export task is scheduled in 

PHIS, however once you have opened and saved the export task 

associated with an application, the applicant can no longer edit the 

application. When you complete all your verification activities (same 

verification activities that is explained in section A of this training material) 

and verified that the establishment is conforming to all the importing 

country requirements, click approve, check inspection completed. 

The following are the CSI Steps in PHIS 

1. Log on to PHIS with the Consumer Safety Inspector role (CSI) 

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2. Click Task Calendar. 

3. On the Task Calendar page, click the Filter Task drop-down menu and select 

Export. 

4. Click the Select Establishment drop-down menu and select appropriate 

establishment. 

5. Under the Directed column, click Add for the export application task you need 

to schedule. 

6. Choose a date to schedule the task and select a reason for performing the 

task. 

7. Click Save. 

8. Right click the task you scheduled and select Document. 

9. From the Inspection Results window, enter the mandatory information on the 

Activity and Regulations tabs. 

10.Click the Approvals tab. 

11.Click Approve. 

12.Select the Inspection Complete check box. 

13.Click Save. 

If PHV signature is required, the application approval by the CSI will trigger PHIS 

to generate a new export task in the task list for the PHV. The PHV export task 

will contain the same seven (7) digit export application number as the CSI export 

task but will contain a PHV designation. 

PHV is to schedule the export task and review the application along with any 

attached supplemental documents and complete all the verification activities as 

explained in section A of this training materials 

The following are the PHV Clicks in PHIS 

1. Log on to PHIS with the Public Health Veterinarian role. 

2. Click Task Calendar. 

3. On the Task Calendar page, click the Filter Task drop-down menu and select 

Export. 

4. Click the Select Establishment drop-down menu and select appropriate 

establishment. 

5. Under the Directed column, click Add for the export application task you need 

to schedule. 

6. Choose a date to schedule the task and select a reason for performing the 

task. 

7. Click Save. 

8. Right click the task you scheduled and select Document. 

9. From the Inspection Results window, enter the mandatory information on the 

Activity and Regulations tabs. 

10.Click the Approvals tab. 

11.Click Approve and Sign. 

12.Depending on the country requirements, follow the instructions documented 

in the Error! Reference source not found.section. 

• Print the certificate on security paper. 

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• Sign and date it. 

• Print any supplemental documentation by clicking the 

Supplemental Document or Transit Letterhead links on 8 1⁄2” 

x 11” white paper 

• Scan both the certificate and supplemental documentation as 

one PDF file and save to your computer. 

• Upload the PDF file to PHIS, the signed certificate package will 

appear in the Attachments section. 

13.Select the Inspection Complete check box. 

14.Click Save. 

If the Importing Country Accepts Digital Signatures, the System Will 

Provide Instructions For Doing So. 

You will need to do the following: 

1. In the “Use Your LincPass” box, select export certificate. 

2. Open the certificate in Adobe Acrobat. 

3. Click the Tools tab. 

4. In the Forms & Signatures section, click Certificates. 

5. Click Digitally Sign. 

6. If prompted with instructions, read the instructions and click OK. 

7. Using your mouse, draw a rectangle in the signature block area of the 

certificate. 

8. In the Sign with a Digital ID window, choose the Digital ID you want to use for 

signing and click Continue. 

9. Click Sign. 

10.Save the certificate. 

11.Enter your LincPass PIN and click OK. 

12.Close the certificate. 

13.When applicable, take the same steps to download any supplemental 

documentation by clicking the Supplemental Document or Transit 

Letterhead links and return to the Approvals tab for the related task, and 

upload all signed documents to PHIS. 

14.Select the Inspection Complete check box. 

15.Click Save. 

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Summary

In this module, we’ve walked through the steps of performing export verification 

activities. We know how to get to the Export Library and how to find the EV/QSA 

program requirements. We’ve looked at each part of the export application and 

export certificate to determine what information is needed in each section. We 

talked about the additional steps needed to check that EV/QSA programs meet 

the country requirements. We discussed what to do when the product exported 

does not meet the country or EV/QSA program requirements. Finally, we 

discussed how to how to navigate through PHIS Electronic Export feature pages 

and review 9060-6 application, and sign 9060-5 certificate manually and digitally 

as outlined in FSIS Directive 13000.5. 

Inspection Methods 32-48