The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) launched a new Electronic Document Creation System (eDOCs) for processors to use when requesting health certificates for exports to the European Union. IDFA encourages members to read the notice sent by AMS and to register as soon as possible. AMS plans to disable the current online application system on September 1, 2013.

USDA’s goal is to speed the processing time for documents from five days to 24 hours. The new system also will allow users to save time by creating templates that will automatically enter data from older certificates.

Creating the new electronic document is a multi-step process. All users must register online with the Electronic Trade Document Exchange (eTDE) system and obtain a Level 2 USDA E-Authentication account to access the eDOCs application system. After submitting a request for the account, users must appear in person at the nearest USDA Service Center office to show a government-issued ID to prove identity. To register, visit eTDE registration.

Processors must also register for two separate sessions of webinar training prior to utilizing the eDOCs system. USDA will offer four overview and 20 detailed training sessions in July and August. Available webinar dates are listed below.

Webinar 1: Overview of eTDE

These overview sessions will introduce eTDE and provide details on registration. Each session is limited to 50 companies each.

  • Wednesday, July 24, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
  • Thursday, July 25, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern time
  • Wednesday, July 31, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
  • Thursday, August 1, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern time

Webinar 2: Detailed Review of eDOCs and eTDE
These detailed sessions will review how to use eDOCs to request an EU health or transit certificate application from AMS and how to use eTDE. These sessions are limited to 10 companies each.

  • Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 2I and 28, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
  • Thursdays, August 8, 15, 22 and 29, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
  • Fridays, August 9, 16, 23 and 30, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern time

To register for the webinars, send an e-mail with your preferred sessions to Carrie Sayasithsena at carrie.sayasithsena@ams.usda.gov, or Ken Vorgert at ken.vorgert@ams.usda.gov.

More information is available here.

Members with questions may contact Beth Hughes, IDFA director of international affairs, at bhughes@idfa.org.