USDA Organic Imports Require Certification

Beginning on March 19^th, 2024, agricultural organic products regulated by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) arm of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will require a National Organic Program (NOP) Import Certificate at the time of import under the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule.  Each certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited Certifier with a unique identification number and list only one commodity. 

Covered products

• Organic Crops
• Livestock
• Processed Agricultural Products

Not Covered

• Textiles and Apparel
• Cosmetics
• Personal Care Products
• Seafood

FAQs

Who issues the NOP Import Certificate?

A USDA-accredited certifier.

Who must be Certified?

All parties within the supply chain who handle a covered organic product must be certified. The list of parties who must be certified includes:

• Importers
• Foreign Exporters
• Processors
• Packagers
• Warehouses that store bulk or unpackaged organic products

Do Customs Brokers need to be certified?

No. Customs Brokers who do not ‘handle’ the goods are exempt under 7 CFR 205.101(g).

What is the definition of handle?

To sell, process, or package agricultural products, including but not limited to trading, facilitating sale or trade on behalf of a seller or oneself, importing to the United States, exporting for sale in the United States, combining, aggregating, culling, conditioning, treating, packing, containerizing, repackaging, labeling, storing, receiving, or loading. 7 CFR 205.2 “Handle”

For additional information, visit the following webpages:

USDA AMS Organic

USDA AMS Strengthening Organic Enforcement