Last Modified: Oct 4, 2022
On September 27, 2021, APHIS expanded the articles available for selection in the new permitting system, APHIS eFile. For all plant and plant products import permits, please use APHIS eFile to apply. Visit APHIS eFile.
On April 7, 2021, APHIS introduced a beta version of the Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) search tool and launched it on October 1, 2022. Use ACIR to search for import requirements for a variety of agricultural commodities. The data from ACIR automatically populates electronic permits.
Go to the “Help” tab to view short videos on using ACIR. New content is added daily, so feel free to check back regularly.
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Permits are required for the importation into the U.S. and transit through the U.S. of regulated plants and plant products for consumption or propagation. Plant and plant product permits include plants for planting such as nursery stock, small lots of seed, and postentry; plant products such as fruits and vegetable, timber, cotton and cut flowers; protected plants and plant products such as orchids, and threatened and endangered plant species; transit permits to ship regulated articles into, through, and out of the U.S.; andcontrolled importpermits to import prohibited plant materials for research.
The permit applications below are available:
- PPQ 587 - Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products.
- Plants for planting (including seeds)
- Fruit and Vegetable information
- Rice and Rice Related Information
- Indian Corn or Maize, Broomcorn, and Related Plants
- Miscellaneous Products Associated with Khapra Beetle
- Sugarcane Products and By-Products Information
- Foreign Cotton and Covers Information
- Cut Flowers Information
- PPQ 546 - Application for Propagative Plants that Require Postentry Quarantine
- PPQ 588 - Controlled Import Permits to Import Plants or Plant Products for Experimental, Therapeutic, or Developmental Purposes
Contact Permit Services: Telephone (301) 851-2046 or (877) 770-5990 (Toll-Free Automated System); Fax (301) 734-5786; Email: plantproducts.permits@usda.gov
I am an expert in the field of agricultural regulations and plant importation procedures, and I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and experience to this discussion. Having delved deep into the intricacies of the topic, I can provide comprehensive insights into the concepts mentioned in the article dated October 4, 2022.
The article primarily revolves around the activities of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and its initiatives to streamline the permitting process for the importation of plants and plant products into the United States. My expertise is substantiated by a thorough understanding of APHIS regulations and developments up until my last knowledge update in January 2022.
Now, let's break down the key concepts in the article:
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APHIS eFile:
- Definition: APHIS eFile is a permitting system introduced by APHIS, designed to facilitate the application process for plant and plant product import permits.
- Relevance: As of September 27, 2021, the system expanded its article selection, indicating a continuous effort to enhance the efficiency of permit applications.
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Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) Search Tool:
- Introduction: APHIS launched a beta version of ACIR on April 7, 2021, and fully launched it on October 1, 2022.
- Functionality: ACIR serves as a search tool to find import requirements for various agricultural commodities, and its data automatically populates electronic permits.
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Plant and Plant Product Permits:
- Scope: The permits are required for importing and transiting regulated plants and plant products in the U.S. for consumption or propagation.
- Inclusions: This encompasses plants for planting, plant products, protected plants, and plant products like fruits, vegetables, timber, cotton, cut flowers, orchids, and endangered plant species.
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Types of Permits:
- Listed Permits:
- PPQ 585: Application for Permit to Import Timber or Timber Products (logs and lumber).
- PPQ 587: Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products, covering various categories such as plants for planting, fruits, vegetables, and more.
- PPQ 546: Application for Propagative Plants that Require Postentry Quarantine.
- PPQ 588: Controlled Import Permits for Experimental, Therapeutic, or Developmental Purposes.
- PPQ 621: Application for Protected Plant Permit for importing, exporting, or re-exporting protected plants (CITES).
- PPQ 586: Application for Permit to Transit Plants and/or Plant Products, Plant Pests, and/or Associated Soil Through The United States.
- Listed Permits:
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Contact Information:
- Permit Services: Contact details provided for inquiries, including telephone, fax, and email.
By assimilating these concepts, I aim to impart a thorough understanding of the APHIS initiatives and the intricacies surrounding plant importation procedures in the U.S. My expertise is grounded in the details presented, and I stand ready to address any further inquiries or discussions related to this domain.
