On March 31, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued an “Importer/Broker” letter to clarify the import permit process for USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)-exempted food products containing small amounts (less than two percent) of meat and/or poultry ingredients. This letter can be found on the following APHIS webpage. ( Animal and Animal Product Import )

Further, APHIS has informed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that a USDA import permit will now be required for all FSIS-exempted food products containing small amounts of meat and/or poultry ingredients. Products such as bouillon cubes, extracts, and soup mixes, which have previously gained entry solely under a health certificate indicating product being concentrated by boiling, will now also require a USDA import permit. CBP enforcement of this USDA administrative change is scheduled to start on June 22, 2009.

Questions for APHIS may be directed to Dr. Christopher Robinson at Christopher.c.robinson@aphis.usda.gov or at phone number (301) 734-3277. Questions for FSIS may be directed to FSIS at the following email address: permits@fsis.usda.gov or at toll free number 1-888-287-7194 .