GIPSA personnel participate in a variety of international assistance programs at the request of U.S. exporters, international importers and end users of U.S. grains and oilseeds, as well as other USDA agencies, USDA Cooperator organizations, and other governments. GIPSA international services include:

• Resolving grain quality and weight discrepancies by working with international governments and grain industry representatives.
• Helping other countries develop domestic grain and commodity standards and marketing infrastructures.
• Training international inspectors in U.S. inspection methods and procedures.
• Aiding importers in developing quality specifications.
• Presenting grain marketing and grain grading seminars around the world.
• Conducting collaborative studies and surveys to collect market information.
• Providing consulting services on technical issues.

These activities are typically funded through various programs administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service or Farm Service Agency, USDA Cooperators, GIPSA, or by the private sector on a cost recovery basis.

Our educational programs include briefings for international trade teams and government representatives on the U.S. grain market and national inspection system; as well as site visits to GIPSA field offices, onsite laboratories at export grain elevators, and GIPSA's Technical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Individuals or companies exporting grain, oilseeds, or related commodities from the United States should be aware of this important information about registration, quality and weight certification, phytosanitary certification, shipper's export declaration (SED), embargoes, and ag exporter assistance.

To facilitate the marketing of U.S. grain and related products, GIPSA offers various marketing documents to address importing countries' requirements.

The United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA), 7 U.S.C. 87f-1 (http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/07C3.txt), requires the registration of all persons engaged in the business of buying grain for sale in foreign commerce. In addition, those individuals who handle, weigh, or transport grain for sale in foreign commerce must register.

To register as an Exporter, visit our FGISonline Exporter Registration web application or download the FGIS-945 Application for Registration (Word version) (DOC; 63Kb) or (Fillable PDF version)(PDF; 83Kb).

The USGSA regulations, 7CFR 800.30-39, define foreign commerce grain business as persons who regularly engage in buying for sale, handling, weighing, or transporting grain totaling 15,000 metric tons or more during the preceding or current calendar year.

For more information, interested parties should contact GIPSA's Compliance and Quality Assurance Division .

• Telephone: 202-720-8262
• Fax: 202-720-7786

Prospective registrants must submit completed applications along with the required fee to:

USDA, GIPSA, FGIS, QACD, IEB
STOP 3604
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2410-S
Washington, DC 20250-3604

Listings:

• Registered Grain Exporter's Directory (02-11-13)(PDF; 133Kb)
• Archives - Registered (Exporter) Directory
• Facilities Operating Under An Exemption (02-11-13) (PDF; 103Kb)
• Archives - Waiver (Exemption) Directory