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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Register for ePermits

Last Modified: Sep 28, 2020
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Login to ePermits— Registered users may access the ePermits system at https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/epermits.

To access ePermits, you must have a USDA eAuthentication account. eAuthentication is a registration system that enables customers to access USDA Web applications and services via the Internet. 

The USDA eAuthentication system supports different levels of authentication. ePermits requires that users have a “Verified Identity” authentication account in order to submit a permit application.  Identity verification can be done online if you are able to answer the verification questions.  If you unable or unwilling to answers the online questions, you may visit a USDA Service Center in-person to have your identity verified. 


To obtain an authentication account to access ePermits:

  1. Navigate to https://ePermits.aphis.usda.gov. 
  2. Click the Create Account tab.  
  3. Select your User Type (generally, Customer)  
  4. Enter your email address. 
  5. You will receive a confirmation email from DoNotReply.ICAM@usda.gov with the subject “eAuth – Confirm e-mail”.  Click the Continue Registration link in the confirmation e-mail. 
  6. Back on the eAuth web site, enter your name and set up a password.  
  7. Don’t click “Log in to your application”.  Instead, select Manage Account, then Update Account, then Continue to login Page.   
  8. Enter user ID (email address) and the password you just created. 
  9. Click the link (in the middle of the right side of the page) to Verify My Identity.    
  10. Select Verify My Identity Online.   
  11. Agree to the terms of service. 
  12. To begin the verification process, enter your address, phone, birthday and social security number.  
  13. The system will ask personal identity verification questions. If you are able to answer the questions, your “Verified Account” will be created.   (If you are not able to answer the online identity verification questions, you can present your Government issued photo ID at a USDA Local Registration Authority (LRA) office in order to have your identity verified.) 
  14.  Click Continue on the “Identity Verification Success” page. 
  15. Click Continue to Application on the “Account Information” page. 
  16. You should now be in the ePermits system.      



eAuthentication Help Desk: 

  • Each person who uses USDA eAuthentication must use his or her own user id. No sharing is allowed. USDA reserves the right to terminate any account if this policy is violated.  

Applications that can be submitted online through ePermits:

Application Form Application Name Exceptions
PPQ 525A Application for Permit to Receive Soil
PPQ 526 Application and Permit to Move Live Plant Pests or Noxious Weeds
PPQ 546 Agreement for Postentry Quarantine State Screening Notice
PPQ 585 Application for Permit to Import Timber or Timber Products
PPQ 586 Application for Permit to Transit Plants and/or Plant Products, Plant Pests, and/or Associated Soil, through the United States
PPQ 587 Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products Fresh Fruits and Vegetable import permit applications (Q56 permits) must be submitted through APHIS eFile as of September 21, 2020
PPQ 588 Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products for Experimental Purposes
PPQ 621 Application for General Permit to Engage in the Business of Importing, Exporting, or Reexporting Terrestrial Plants
VS 16-3 Application for Permit to Import Controlled Material or Transport Organisms or Vectors Animal Products, Organisms or Vectors import and transport permit applications (16 6A permits) should use APHIS eFile beginning early November, 2020.
VS 16-7 Application for Permit to Import Cell Cultures and Their Products (Supplemental to the VS 16-3)
VS 17-129 Application for Import or in Transit Permit (for Live Animals, Semen or Embryos)
On Hold On Hold Shipment Notification
BRS 2000 Application for Permit or Courtesy Permit for Movement or Release of Genetically Engineered Organisms
BRS Notification Notification of Movement or Release of a Genetically Engineered Plant


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