How to Obtain a USDA/VS Permit? A Guide to Exporting Animal Products from Turkey to the U.S.
If you want to manufacture a product containing animal-derived ingredients (such as pet food, gelatin, collagen, animal protein, leather/hide products, etc.) in Turkey and sell it to the U.S., FDA approval alone is not sufficient. For such products, a VS Import Permit from USDA-APHIS is often required, and your shipment may be held at customs without this permit.
Rather than defining “What is the USDA?”, this guide focuses on how a Turkish producer can obtain the necessary permits to export animal products to the U.S.—specifically, the question “How do I obtain a USDA/VS permit?”—using the current APHIS eFile process as of 2026.
Short answer — How do you obtain a USDA/VS Permit? Submit your product through APHIS’s VS Permitting Assistant (VSPA), create an eAuthentication account, submit the application via APHIS eFile using VS Form 16-3, attach the veterinary health certificate of origin from Turkey, and designate an Importer of Record in the U.S. An approved permit is assigned a permit number, and this number accompanies each shipment.
Let’s Get This Straight First: Do You Need This Permit?
The general rule is simple: if your product contains an ingredient derived from an animal or that has come into contact with an animal-derived source, it is likely subject to approval by USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services (VS). Common examples include:
• Pet food containing animal-based ingredients (dog/cat food, chew toys, treats)
• Meat, poultry, and fish by-products (meal, oil, protein concentrate)
• Gelatin, collagen, milk powder, and their derivatives
• Raw materials derived from leather, hides, bones, wool, and feathers
• Cosmetics, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical products containing animal-derived enzymes or proteins
The most common mistake is skipping the permit process by saying, “My product isn’t food.” Even a single animal-derived ingredient (such as a gelatin capsule in a supplement) can trigger the process. APHIS’s VS Permitting Assistant (VSPA) tool will determine whether you are subject to the permit requirement.
For details on the entire process regarding pet food: Exporting Pet Food to the U.S. – USDA & VS Permits. For dog chew/treat products: Natural Dog Chew Products for Export to the U.S.
USDA, APHIS, and VS at a Glance
A quick overview (without getting bogged down in details):
• USDA — U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• APHIS — the animal and plant health inspection agency under the USDA.
• Veterinary Services (VS) — The team within APHIS responsible for import permits for animal products; this is your point of contact.
Permit requirements: Since animal products pose a risk of introducing foreign animal diseases (foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, BSE) into the U.S., their importation is regulated by a VS Permit.
Don’t Confuse the USDA with the FDA — You Need Both
The most costly mistake Turkish manufacturers make is assuming that FDA registration is sufficient. The two agencies are separate, and their requirements overlap when it comes to animal products:
| Organization | What does it monitor? |
| FDA | Food safety, labeling, facility registration (all foods, including pet food) |
| USDA – APHIS / VS | Biosecurity, risk of animal disease (products of animal origin) |
| USDA – FSIS | Inspection of meat, poultry, and eggs intended for human consumption |
In other words, a product containing animal-derived ingredients may require both FDA registration and a USDA VS permit; you will need to plan for these separately.
For the FDA: Our FDA Registration and Certification Guide.
How to Obtain a VS Import Permit? (Step-by-Step — APHIS eFile)
Important update: The USDA’s old ePermits system has been retired. As of September 30, 2022, new applications and renewals can only be submitted through APHIS eFile. Do not rely on old online content that still refers to “ePermits.”
The process from the manufacturer's perspective:
1. Run the product through VSPA. The VS Permitting Assistant will tell you whether your product requires a permit and what documents are needed.
2. Create an eAuthentication account. A USDA authentication account is required to log in to APHIS eFile.
3. Submit the application. The permit application is submitted via eFile using Form VS 16-3; the approved permit is issued in the VS 16-6 format.
4. Prepare the certificate of origin. This document, issued by the veterinary authority in Turkey , certifies that the product comes from a source free of disease risks (e.g., BSE-free).
5. Set up the U.S. side. Designate an Importer of Record and, if necessary, a U.S. Agent.
A unique permit number is assigned to each approved permit; this number is indicated on export and customs documents, and a copy of the permit must accompany each shipment. Permits are valid for a limited period and are renewed via eFile.
What's Happening at Customs? (CBP)
Once the permit is obtained, the process proceeds in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Upon entry, CBP matches the permit in the USDA/APHIS system with your documentation. If there is no permit or the permit number is incorrect, the product may be placed on hold, entry may be refused, or the product may even be returned or destroyed.
Therefore, the accuracy of the label, product list, and permit number on the documentation directly determines the outcome of the shipment.
For customs purposes: U.S.-Canada Customs Consulting and FDA Labeling and Customs Consulting Guide.
5 Common Mistakes Made by Turkish Manufacturers
1. Assuming FDA registration is sufficient — USDA approval is also required for animal-derived ingredients.
2. The “not food, not required” assumption — Even a single animal-derived ingredient in a cosmetic, dietary supplement, or pharmaceutical product triggers the requirement for authorization.
3. Following the old ePermits guidelines — The current system is APHIS eFile.
4. Failing to provide the certificate of origin — Without this document, clearance and customs processing will be delayed.
5. Do not include the permit number on the documents — If the number is missing or incorrect, the shipment will be held at customs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who should obtain the USDA VS Permit—the producer or the importer?
The authorization process is the responsibility of the party bringing the product into the U.S. (the importer or Importer of Record); however, the manufacturer in Turkey plays a central role in the process by providing the certificate of origin and product/ingredient information. Both parties must coordinate their efforts.
I have FDA registration; do I also need USDA approval?
If the product contains animal-derived ingredients, the answer is most likely yes. The FDA and USDA have separate requirements; one does not replace the other.
I’m planning to export pet food. Do I need a permit?
If the product contains animal-derived ingredients (such as meat meal, fish oil, or animal protein), a VS Permit is required. The final decision is made by the VS Permitting Assistant.
Are applications still submitted through ePermits?
No. Since September 30, 2022, new applications and renewals have been submitted through APHIS eFile.
How long does the USDA VS permit process take?
It depends on whether the file is complete; missing documents or incorrect information are the main causes of delays. That is why it is important to plan the application before the launch.
If you plan to export products containing animal-derived ingredients from Turkey to the U.S., you must obtain a USDA/VS Permit before the shipment departs. In summary: For products containing animal-derived ingredients, a USDA-APHIS VS Permit is required in addition to FDA approval; the application is submitted via APHIS eFile; CBP inspects the shipment at customs; and a missing permit will result in the shipment being rejected.
If you’re planning to enter the U.S. market with pet food, gelatin, collagen, or any other product containing animal-derived ingredients, we at Export Partners manage the entire process — from USDA/VS permit applications and certificates of origin to FDA registration and customs procedures.
Related guides: Exporting Pet Food to the U.S. – USDA & VS Permit · Exporting Pet Products from Turkey to the U.S. · FDA Registration and Certification
