CSMS 48666151·Operational·July 2, 2021·View on csms.cbp.gov ↗

USDA APHIS Allows Electronic Copies of Veterinary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates in ACE

Plain-English explanation

CSMS 48666151 is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service bulletin (operational), published on July 2, 2021. It carries the official CBP guidance brokers and importers must follow for the topic — "USDA APHIS Allows Electronic Copies of Veterinary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates in ACE". CSMS messages are the operational layer between Commerce determinations and at-the-border collections: when Commerce publishes a new rate, scope ruling, or instruction, CBP turns it into a CSMS that ACE/ACS systems and brokers act on.

Message body

Full text as published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CSMS #48666151 -USDA APHIS Allows Electronic Copies of Veterinary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates in ACE-DIS U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent this bulletin at 07/02/2021 11:14 AM EDT Cargo Systems Messaging Service CSMS #48666151 -USDA APHIS Allows Electronic Copies of Veterinary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates in ACE-DIS The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has updated the guidance, originally set to expire June 30, 2021, for accepting the electronic submission of phytosanitary certificates, PPQ 203 forms and veterinary health certificates for shipment clearance. Please view APHIS’s message regarding phytosanitary certificates for imported plants and plants products here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/2e52f21 Acceptable phytosanitary certificates include scanned copies of original certificates, electronic certificates created through a participating country’s ePhyto system, or signed paper forms. Certificates should be legible and include APHIS-required statements. Please view APHIS’s message regarding veterinary certificates for animal products and byproducts here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/2e69019 Electronic copies of veterinary certificates for animal products and byproducts should be submitted in ACE-DIS. Certificates should be legible and include APHIS-required statements. Additionally, stakeholders are reminded that APHIS Core Message Set data must be submitted in ACE when an APHIS permit or foreign government certificate is required by APHIS as a condition for import of the commodity. This requirement was fully implemented on March 15, 2021. The permit and/or certificate number and other identifying information must be accurately and thoroughly entered in the Message Set. Failure to submit required APHIS Core Message set data may result in delays in shipment processing. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page . You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com . This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Customs and Border Protection . Privacy Policy | GovDelivery is providing this information on behalf of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and may not use the information for any other purposes. Powered by Privacy Policy | Cookie Statement | Help

Frequently asked questions

What is CSMS 48666151?

CSMS 48666151 is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service bulletin titled "USDA APHIS Allows Electronic Copies of Veterinary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates in ACE". CSMS bulletins are the operational instructions CBP issues to brokers, importers, and ACE filers covering rate changes, system updates, scope guidance, and other day-to-day customs-operations changes.

When was CSMS 48666151 published?

CBP published CSMS 48666151 on July 2, 2021. The bulletin's instructions are typically operative as of the publication date unless the body specifies a different effective date.

Is the CBP CSMS the legally binding instruction?

Yes — for at-the-border filing and entry collection. CSMS messages translate Commerce's Federal Register determinations into operational CBP instructions that ACE/ACS systems and brokers execute. The Federal Register notice is the underlying legal authority; the CSMS is the operational implementation. Both should be read together when reconciling a rate or scope change.

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