Official commercial inspection services (OCIS) are designed mainly for small- to moderately-sized grain elevators and processors, who often find official services too costly and time-consuming. OCIS is an official service.

Like other official services, official commercial inspection service provides unbiased information on grain quality by FGIS-licensed or authorized inspectors, using FGIS-approved and checktested equipment. Unlike other services, the commercial service allows applicants to work with FGIS or an official agency to modify the sampling and inspection procedures to fit their individual needs. Plus, FGIS no longer collects a user fee from official agencies for each OCIS that they perform. The result: the applicant saves considerable time and money.

Official commercial inspection service is a permissive service; buyers of sellers of grain may use it and/or any other kind of official service. The service is not, however, available for the inspection of export grain.