BACKGROUND 
The Public Health Information System (PHIS) provides an electronic interface with foreign governments' certifications systems, which allows for a government-to-government electronic transfer of required certification data. The competent authority of the foreign inspection service is responsible for the certification of shipments of product to the United States, as outlined in 9 CFR 327.4, 381.197, 557.4, and 590.915. The eCert option eliminates the need for paper certificates from countries that utilize eCert to export products to the United States.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. IPP are to follow the applicable instructions in FSIS Directives 9900.1, Imported Product Shipment Presentation, and FSIS Directive 9900.4, Import Applications for eCert shipments from Chile. These directives specify instructions for eCert where they are different from non-eCert. IPP are to review the transmitted eCert data in PHIS to verify the accuracy and completeness of the transmitted certification data.

2. IPP are to be aware that FSIS intends to update FSIS Directive 9900.1 Section IV. J. 1. to read as stated below and are to follow these instructions for replacement certificates from eCert countries, including Chile:

   eCert - When IPP determine that the eCert data is incorrect, IPP are to fail the certification TOI and refuse entry following the instructions in FSIS Directive 9900.8, Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Refused Entry Into the United States (U.S.). If the applicant notifies IPP that a replacement certificate has been issued, IPP are to access the FSIS Import Inspection SharePoint site to determine the country specific details to obtain the replacement certificate. If IPP do not have access to the SharePoint site and receive a notification that “You need permission to access this site”, IPP are to request access. Once the replacement certificate has been retrieved, IPP are to proceed with reinspection of the shipment. IPP are to print the replacement, attach it to the case file and record the replacement number when rectifying the refused entry. Replacements that are not received government to government are not acceptable.

3. IPP are to continue to accept paper certificates for shipments imported into the United States from Chile even after the April 14th eCert implementation date. IPP are to notify the Recall Management and Technical Analysis Staff at importinspection@usda.gov if a paper certificate is received after April 14 so that PHIS can be updated to temporarily allow data entry for the paper certificate.

QUESTIONS
Refer questions regarding import related directives to your supervisor or as needed to the Office of Policy and Program Development through askFSIS or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. When submitting a question, complete the web form and select Imports as the Inquiry Type.

NOTE: Refer to FSIS Directive 5620.1, Using askFSIS, for additional information on submitting questions.