A notice to members that the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has recently made a change to its endorsement of health certificates at border ports.

The letter from the USDA appears below.

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you that effective immediately USDA-APHIS-VS, NIES Port Services personnel at our Northern Border Ports will no longer be providing routine endorsement of export health certificates.

We recognize that for some of you this may initially feel like a counter-productive measure as you and your clients have relied on these offices for export services in the past. However, as with many of the other changes in policies and procedures that we have implemented with our agency’s reorganization, this is in line with our ultimate goal of improving efficiency and effectiveness. International regulations are often complex and change frequently. Under the current structure, Our Service Center offices are best able keep pace with these changes, and thus assure the most accurate and consistent guidance and service to U.S. exporters. In turn, this will enable Port Services to focus on their primary responsibilities in fulfilling our overall mission as an agency.

Going forward, international export health certificates for live animals that require endorsement should be sent to one of our 3 offices in the Service Center.

Albany, NY -- Serving: CT, ME, MA, NC, NH, NY, NJ, RI, VT, WV
USDA, APHIS, VS
Attention: Export
500 New Karner Road, 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12205
T: (518) 218-7540
F: (518) 218-7545
[email protected]

Harrisburg, PA -- Serving: PA
USDA, APHIS, VS
Attention: Export
2300 Vartan Way Suite 250
Harrisburg, PA 17110
T: (717) 540-2770
F: (717) 782-3809
[email protected]

Richmond, VA -- Serving: DC, DE, MD, VA
USDA, APHIS, VS
Attention: Export
Federal Building
400 N. 8th Street, Ste. 726
Richmond, VA 23219
T: (804) 343 2567
F: (804) 343-2599
[email protected]

We ask that you please inform your clients accordingly. Thank you for your understanding and assistance.

Lance H. Bassage, II, VMD
Director, NIES Service Center 1