Guide
How to Get a USDA Export Certificate (FSIS, Phytosanitary or Animal Health)
Which USDA export certificate you need — FSIS for meat and poultry, APHIS phytosanitary for plants, APHIS animal health for live animals — how each is issued, and timing.
Quick answer
It depends on what you’re exporting. Meat, poultry and egg products: an FSIS export certificate. Plants and plant products: an APHIS phytosanitary certificate issued after inspection. Live animals: a health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, endorsed by APHIS. All are tied to a specific shipment and have short validity windows.
On this page
Which certificate
| Exporting | Certificate | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, poultry, egg products | FSIS export certificate | USDA FSIS |
| Plants, seeds, plant products | Phytosanitary certificate | USDA APHIS PPQ |
| Live animals, pets | Animal health certificate | Accredited vet + APHIS endorsement |
Step by step
Check the destination’s requirements
Each country sets its own certification requirements; USDA publishes them by country.
Arrange inspection or examination
FSIS inspection, APHIS phytosanitary inspection, or an accredited-vet examination.
Get the certificate issued or endorsed
Tied to the specific consignment or animal.
Authenticate immediately
Validity windows are short — plan authentication and any legalization backward from your ship or travel date.
When you’ll need it abroad
- Exporting meat, poultry or egg products
- Shipping plants, seeds or produce
- Relocating a pet internationally
- Exporting breeding stock or animal genetics
Troubleshooting
The certificate expired before arrival
Plan issuance, authentication and shipping together from the travel or ship date.
The vet isn't USDA-accredited
Only accredited veterinarians can issue certificates APHIS will endorse.
Destination requirements changed
Check the current USDA country requirements right before inspection.
You need legalization too
Many markets are non-Hague — build embassy legalization into the timeline.
Next: getting it apostilled
Once you have the document, it needs authentication before a foreign authority will accept it. See how to apostille it. Our price is $299 per document for Hague Convention countries and $399 for non-Hague countries including embassy legalization, with government fees included.
Frequently asked questions
Which USDA certificate do I need for plants?
An APHIS phytosanitary certificate.
Do pets need a USDA certificate?
Many destinations require an accredited-vet health certificate endorsed by APHIS.
How long are they valid?
Short windows tied to the shipment or travel date — check the destination's rules.
How long is a pet health certificate valid?
Often only days before travel — the destination sets the rule.
Can I get one certificate for several shipments?
Generally no — certificates are tied to a specific consignment.
Sources: U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · Hague Conference — Apostille Section · USDA APHIS · USDA FSIS — Exporting. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.