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Call (352) 377-0133
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
Hablamos Español
Welcome to the QCS Imports & Exports Resource Center. These resources are available to help you understand
the requirements for importing and exporting certified organic products. Whether you’re a first-time importer
or an experienced exporter, you’ll find everything you need to navigate the process with confidence
Organic products may be imported into the United States when they are:
Learn more about international organic trade arrangements on the USDA website.
Under the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule:
For full details, visit the NOP Import Certificate Requirements page.
For clients certified by the US office, please send all requests for transaction certificates and certificates of inspection to imports@qcsinfo.org
Organic products may be exported to the EU if they:
All organic products imported into the EU must be accompanied by an electronic Certificate of Inspection (e-COI). This certificate is issued by QCS through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) prior to shipment.
Requests for certificates of inspection for exports of bulk consignments to the European Union (EU) must be accompanied by a Travel Plan . The Travel Plan must identify all premises, their activities, and the means of transport that will occur during the travel of a consignment containing bulk organic products from the last preparation of the organic consignment to its arrival in the EU country in charge of endorsing the Certificate of Inspection.
For clients certified by the US office, please send all requests for transaction certificates and certificates of inspection to imports@qcsinfo.org
Transaction certificates are required for the following types of organic product exports.
To request a transaction certificate, complete the appropriate form and submit it to QCS with all required documentation as indicated on the form:
Click here for additional guidance about transaction certificates.
For clients certified by the US office, please send all requests for transaction certificates and certificates of inspection to imports@qcsinfo.org
The NOP Import Certificate provides detailed information about an organic product being imported into the United States including where it came from and how much is being shipped. This certificate confirms that the product is truly organic as it moves from an organic exporter in another country to an organic importer in the U.S. It helps ensure transparency, meet traceability requirements, and proves that the product can be legally sold in the U.S. as organic.
Under USDA organic rules, every organic product imported to the United States must have a valid NOP Import Certificate. The certificate must be created by the certifying agent that oversees the final certified exporter shipping the product. This requirement applies whether the product is certified USDA organic or traded under an equivalence arrangement with another country. See USDA Frequently Asked Questions about Organic Imports and Import Certificates for more details about USDA regulations and policies
Organic exporters certified by QCS must complete and submit the QCS NOP Import Certificate Request Form and obtain a NOP Import Certificate before shipping organic products to the U.S. QCS reviews each request to confirm that the organic product and the amount being shipped are valid and organic integrity is maintained. Approved NOP Organic Certificates are generated within the Organic Integrity Database (OID).
NOP Import Certificates may cover a single organic product or multiple products with the same Harmonized Tarriff (HTS) Code. Each product must be certified organic and appear on the exporter’s Product Verification Form. The exporter must also provide documentation, such as a contract, that identifies the organic importer. It is essential to submit requests early enough for QCS to review, approve and issue the certificate, and for the exporter to deliver it to the importer or Customs broker before the US Customs filing deadlines.
The organic exporter gives the NOP Import Certificate to the U.S. importer. The importer—or their customs broker—enters the certificate information into the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system as part of the normal import filing process.
U.S. organic importers must have a documented system to ensure that the products they receive have a valid NOP Import Certificate and were not treated with prohibited substances (such as fumigants) or exposed to ionizing radiation. If CBP issues an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) indicating that a shipment may have been fumigated, the importer must notify their organic certifier.
All paperwork related to the organic product’s movement—such as purchase orders, bills of lading, sales documents, invoices, and packing lists—must clearly indicate that the product is organic. Both the exporting and importing companies must keep records that meet USDA organic regulations. These records need to provide a clear trail showing:
This documentation ensures that every organic product can be traced and verified throughout the supply chain.
If you’re unsure about how to request an Import Certificate, what documentation is needed, or how to ensure compliance, we’re here to help.
🔍 Visit our FAQs page for answers to common questions about NOP Import Certificates and SOE requirements. Check out the Documents Library for all the forms and resources you’ll need.
📧 Still stuck? Email us at imports@qcsinfo.org, or fill out our contact form below, and we’ll send the answer straight to your inbox.
📞 Prefer to talk? Call us at (352) 377-0133.
