Chile to Participate in eCert of Eligible Imported Products

Beginning March 31, 2025, Chile will send electronic certification (eCert) data to FSIS for Chilean products eligible for U.S. import under FSIS jurisdiction. Once import eCert is implemented, FSIS will no longer require paper inspection certificates issued by Chile for Chilean imports. Import data from eCert will be received directly in FSIS’ Public Health Information System (PHIS), advancing the agency’s goals of modernizing and digitizing certification processes wherever possible.

Importers or U.S. Customs Brokers that submit FSIS electronic import applications through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) can find the specific partner government (PG) records needed for all countries (both eCert and non-eCert) in the FSIS guidance document titled, “Data Samples and Guidelines for Using the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set for Electronic Completion of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Application for Import Inspection (FSIS Form 9540-1).” Starting March 31, 2025, Chile will be identified as an eCert country for the purposes of the ACE-PHIS interface.

Importers and U.S. Customs Brokers that use the paper FSIS Form 9540-1 application rather than the electronic import application can find further information in FSIS Directive 9900.4.

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until March 5, 2025: Food Date Labeling

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:

FSIS Notice 03-25 - Availability of FSIS Guideline for Retained Water

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

• Colombia
• South Africa
• Canada
• Taiwan
• Benin
• Iraq
• French Polynesia (Tahiti)
• Mexico
• Kazakhstan
• Uruguay
• Myanmar
• Kiribati
• Vietnam
• China
• United Arab Emirates

Complete information can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.