Our Mission
APHIS protects the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources.
Our Priorities
Popular Topics
Important Notice for Pet Owners
Health certificate endorsements may take several business days and are often completed just 1–2 days before travel. Mailing can add extra time, and incomplete paperwork may delay or prevent endorsement.
For updates, contact your accredited veterinarian. They submit your documents and can track endorsement status through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). Due to high volume, USDA cannot provide individual status updates.
Plan ahead: Have a backup plan in case your certificate isn’t ready—such as leaving your pet with a caretaker or adjusting travel dates.
Other tips:
- If mailed documents are missing, contact the courier. Lost packages must be reissued through VEHCS by your veterinarian.
- Pet owners cannot submit documents to USDA offices. All submissions must be made by the veterinarian through VEHCS.
Latest News
Sign up for email or text updates for the latest APHIS news and information.
