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Constituent Update
Friday, May 10 2024

Constituent Update - May 10, 2024

FSIS Encourages Industry Testing for Upcoming PHIS Countries

FSIS continues to encourage industry to use the Industry Test Environment (ITE) to test application submittals for export to the 21 countries announced in the Constituent Update on February 9, 2024, and for China, as announced on March 22, 2024. The 21 countries will be onboarded in PHIS on May 20, 2024, and China on July 1, 2024. FSIS has provided testing instructions for industry on the FSIS website PHIS Components page, under Information for Industry, for the 21 countries and for China. Please note that an electronic identification account that includes identity verification steps is required for all persons who will access PHIS, for both the test environment and the live production environment. Note that user accounts are disabled for those who have not used PHIS in 60 days.

For those new to PHIS-export, please register with Login.gov to initiate, update, or complete the electronic identification account and the PHIS enrollment process. Instructions can be found in the PHIS Industry User Guide, section 2 (Overview of PHIS). For further guidance on PHIS export and enrollment, please refer to the following user guides:

Please contact internationalcoordination@usda.gov with questions regarding these changes. Technical questions can be directed to PHISTechnicalQA@usda.gov.

FSIS to Post Updated Datasets on Import Refusals

On May 15, 2024, FSIS will update the publicly posted dataset on import refusals for products that the agency regulates. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be reinspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS reinspects each shipment to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, and any signs of tampering and to identify product adulterated by transportation damage. FSIS also performs additional activities on a random and/or for-cause basis, such as physical product examination and laboratory sampling for pathogens and chemical residues.

Any product that does not meet FSIS requirements is refused entry. Within 45 days for meat and poultry or 30 days for egg products, the importer must have the product destroyed for use as human food, re-exported to the foreign country, converted to animal food, or brought into compliance with FSIS requirements, if applicable (e.g., relabeled, remarked, or issued a replacement certificate).

The current Import Refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of each month and the archived Import Refusals dataset is updated around the 15th of the first month of each quarter. The datasets contain each shipment with product that was refused entry. To access these datasets or view more information about them, please visit the Import and Export Data page.

Upcoming Events

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:

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 16-24 - Export Module of the Public Health Information System - Phase Nine

FSIS Notice 17-24 - Recording Supplier Information When Collecting MT43 Ground Beef MT65_C Bench Trim and Follow-Up Raw Beef Samples

Export Requirements Update

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

  • Canada
  • Nicaragua
  • China
  • Mexico
  • Dominican Republic
  • Singapore
  • Chile
  • Mauritius
  • Uruguay
  • European Union
  • Hong Kong
  • Jamaica
  • Cuba
  • Kiribati
  • Azerbaijan
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Myanmar
  • Turkey
  • Taiwan
  • Jordan

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

Last Updated: May 10, 2024