Notice - Notification of WTO Members: United States Implementing New Format for Phytosanitary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates for Re-export


WTO code G/SPS/N/USA/3285
Date notice 05/11/2021
Notice type Regular
Title United States Implementing New Format for Phytosanitary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates for Re-export
Summary

The United States has implemented a new format for phytosanitary certificates and phytosanitary certificates for re-export. The use of plain paper and proliferation of electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto) during the global pandemic has illustrated that commodities can be safely and successfully traded without traditional security paper. The United States has updated security measures in its Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance and Tracking (PCIT) system to allow for any Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) to be verified and reduce the possibility for fraud. All PCs issued by the United States include the following security characteristics: Generated through a secure, role-based system; Contain a unique certificate number located in the top center of the PC; The United States Department of Agriculture Logo on the top right of the PC; A North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) watermark in the lower center of the PC; A unique Quick Response (QR) Code located on the bottom left of the PC, which allows validation of PCs online; and Validation of the authenticity of PCs online using the PCIT Certificate Viewer at the following URL: https://pcit.aphis.usda.gov/pcit/faces/ext_cert_viewer.jsf. APHIS has also included in this notification; a guide for using the validation tool as well as a sample of each new certificate type.

In addition, ePhyto may be utilized for consignments exported from the United States to any trading partner currently utilizing the IPPC HUB. We look forward to additional trading partners joining the ePhyto system. Considering the measures of ePhyto, QR code, and online validation, the United States will print all Phytosanitary Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates for Re-Export on plain paper starting 1 January 2022. Some PCs may still arrive on the security paper for items that were certified before 1 January 2022.

Product Plants and plant products
Country United States

File attach:
NUSA3285.pdf

Orther Notice:


G/SPS/N/JPN/1285/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1286/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1287/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1288/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1289/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1290/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1291/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1292/Add.1 - G/SPS/N/JPN/1292/Add.1
G/SPS/N/JPN/1293/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1297/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1298/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1299/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1300/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1301/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1302/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1304/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/JPN/1315/Add.1 - Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc. under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards, final rule)
G/SPS/N/KGZ/37 - Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Common List of Goods Subject to Veterinary Control (Surveillance).
G/SPS/N/BRA/2418 - Draft Resolution 1337, 18 June 2025. Language(s): Portuguese.
G/SPS/N/PHL/532 - Department of Agriculture Memorandum Circular No._, Series of 2025, Updated Import Terms and Conditions (ITC) for the Entry of Dogs and Cats to the Philippines.
G/SPS/N/JPN/1348 - Paraquat: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1349 - Cyfluthrin: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1350 - Deltamethrin and Tralomethrin: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1351 - Fenitrothion: Amendments to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/JPN/1352 - Chlorobenzilate: Amendment to the Enforcement Ordinance of the Standards of Feed and Feed Additives (Amendment of an agricultural chemical residue standard).
G/SPS/N/RUS/323 - Draft Decision of the Collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Regulation on Common veterinary (sanitary and veterinary) requirements for goods subject to veterinary control (surveillance); and Draft Decision of the Collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Forms of the Common Veterinary Certificates for the Importation of Controlled Goods from Third Countries into the Customs Territory of the Eurasian Economic Union.
G/SPS/N/RUS/324 - Draft Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Amendments to the Common List of Goods Subject to Veterinary Control (Surveillance).
G/SPS/N/CAN/1590/Add.1 - Established Maximum Residue Limit: Pendimethalin
G/SPS/N/CAN/1589/Add.1 - Established Maximum Residue Limit: Ethalfluralin
G/SPS/N/CHN/1282/Add.1 - Measures for the Quarantine Administration of Imported Plant Propagation Materials
G/SPS/N/IDN/156 - Decree of the Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Authority Concerning Kinds of Quarantine Pests and Diseases of Fish, Causative Organisms, Categories, and Carriers.
G/SPS/N/UKR/246 - Draft Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine "On Approval of Amendments to Certain Regulatory Acts of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine".
G/SPS/N/KOR/823 - Proposed amendments to Standards for Recognition of Temporary Standard and Specifications for Foods - Advance Notice No. 2025-277, 18 June 2025.
G/SPS/N/THA/216/Add.4 - Thai Agricultural Standard entitled "Peanut kernel: Maximum level of aflatoxin"
G/SPS/N/GBR/100 - The Official Controls (Import of High-Risk Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) (Amendment of Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/1793) (England) Regulations 2025; The Official Controls (Import of High-Risk Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2025; The Official Controls (Import of High-Risk Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) (Amendment of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793) (Wales) egulations 2025.
G/SPS/N/HND/68 - Reglamento Técnico Hondureño (RTH) Harina de Maíz Nixtamalizado (Zea mays L.) para consumo humano (Honduran Technical Regulation (RTH) on nixtamalized maize (Zea mays L.) flour for human consumption)
G/SPS/N/TPKM/643/Add.1 - Proposed Repeal of the "Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Regulated Objects Related to Decapod Iridescent Virus 1"
G/SPS/N/TPKM/647 - The draft amendment of the "Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Bees" in relation to Article 10 (Annex 8-2) of the "Regulations for the Importation of Objects Subject to Animal Quarantine".
G/SPS/N/CAN/1528/Add.1 - Established Maximum Residue Limits: Mefentrifluconazole
G/SPS/N/BDI/133, G/SPS/N/KEN/336 G/SPS/N/RWA/126, G/SPS/N/TZA/454 G/SPS/N/UGA/444 - DEAS 1268:2025, Rice flour — Specification, First Edition.
G/SPS/N/BDI/134, G/SPS/N/KEN/337 G/SPS/N/RWA/127, G/SPS/N/TZA/455 G/SPS/N/UGA/445 - DEAS 1270:2025, Rye grains — Specification, First Edition.
G/SPS/N/BDI/135, G/SPS/N/KEN/338 G/SPS/N/RWA/128, G/SPS/N/TZA/456 G/SPS/N/UGA/446 - DEAS 1271:2025, Rye flour — Specification, First Edition.
G/SPS/N/BDI/136, G/SPS/N/KEN/339 G/SPS/N/RWA/129, G/SPS/N/TZA/457 G/SPS/N/UGA/447 - DEAS1272:2025, Quinoa grains — Specification, First Edition.
G/SPS/N/BDI/139, G/SPS/N/KEN/342 G/SPS/N/RWA/132, G/SPS/N/TZA/460 G/SPS/N/UGA/450 - DEAS 44: 2025, Milled maize (corn) products — Specification, Sixth Edition.
G/SPS/N/BDI/138, G/SPS/N/KEN/341 G/SPS/N/RWA/131, G/SPS/N/TZA/459 G/SPS/N/UGA/449 - DEAS1273:2025, Quinoa flour — Specification, First Edition.
G/SPS/N/BDI/137, G/SPS/N/KEN/340 G/SPS/N/RWA/130, G/SPS/N/TZA/458 G/SPS/N/UGA/448 - DEAS 282: 2025, Wheat semolina — Specification, First Edition.
G/SPS/N/SAU/566 - Concentrations of active substance used in public health pesticides.
G/SPS/N/EU/801/Corr.1 - Maximum residue levels for dimoxystrobin, ethephon and propamocarb in or on certain products
G/SPS/N/GBR/102 - A new GB MRL for mefentrifluconazole amending the GB MRL Statutory Register.
G/SPS/N/BRA/2393/Add.1 - Draft Resolution number 1315, 27 March 2025