USDA organic regulations cover the production and handling of organic crops and products within the United States. If you are marketing organic crops or products internationally, you may need to comply with additional requirements.

A brief overview of these extra requirements and copies of the necessary applications is included below. For full details, download the WSDA Organic Program Guide to Organic Exports (AGR 4010).

Additionally you may reference the USDA National Organic Program International Trade Partners webpage for full details on all active organic trade arrangements.

To export organic crops or products to Canada, you need an organic certificate verifying compliance with the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement. Before an updated certificate can be issued, your organic system plan must describe how your practices meet the requirements of both USDA organic regulations and the US-Canada Equivalency Arrangement.

To update your certificate:

1. Submit an updated International Trade section of your Organic System Plan.  There is a separate section for Crop Producers and Handlers or Processors. Ensure you are completing the correct section.

WSDA encourages any crop producers who are not using Sodium Nitrate to complete this section. There is no cost associated with this request and it may open additional sales opportunities for you if handlers or processors further down the supply chain export your crop or use it as an ingredient in an organic product bound for Canada.

European Union (EU) member states accept USDA organic products as equivalent, provided specific terms of the arrangement are met. The EU requires the export certificate for each shipment to be issued prior to the shipment leaving the US. After issuance, we have 10 days to update shipping details on the signed certificate. Shipments may be rejected, or required to be relabeled prior to entry into the EU, if this timeline is not met.

1. Your plans to produce and label organic products that meet the requirements of the EU market must be described in the International Trade section of your Organic System Plan.
   • Additional requirements apply to wine. You must have a completed EU Wine Application on file for each organic wine you plan to export.
2.  Your operation and the certified importer must be authorized in the online Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). If needed, contact our office for assistance in creating your account.
3. Two to three days prior to shipment, complete the required fields of a new Certificate of Inspection (COI) in TRACES and submit sales and/or shipping records that confirm all details to organic@agr.wa.gov.
   • You can also attach records directly to the COI in TRACES, but always notify our office directly that a COI is pending.
   • In your email, identify the address you want the original, signed COI shipped to. If you want the document mailed internationally, please include a FedEx account number for us to use.
   • Time is of the essence. If you have any questions, give us a call at 360-902-1805 ext. 3. If we ask for more information, please respond promptly.
4. WSDA will complete the documentary checks and issue the COI prior to export.
5. As soon as the product has been shipped, submit relevant shipping documentation to organic@agr.wa.gov to verify the following details:
   • Container number
   • Seal number
   • Means of transport (typically the vessel name, voyage number, international transport document number)
   • Any other details in the COI that may have been updated or finalized since issuance.
6. WSDA will update the COI with all required shipping details within 10 days of issuance.

A separate export document is needed for each shipment. There is a $40 export fee for each COI.

In addition to Canada and the EU, the USDA National Organic Program has organic equivalence arrangements established with the following markets:

• Korea
• Japan
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom (UK)

To export organic crops or products to one of these markets, you need an export certificate issued by WSDA Organic Program. A separate export certificate is needed for each shipment. There is a $40 export fee for each export certificate.

1. Review your organic system plan and ensure it accurately describes your export practices. If updates are needed, submit a revised International Trade section.
2. Submit the appropriate export application from the list below:
   • Japan or Taiwan – TM-11 Application (AGR 2160)
   • Korea – NAQS Import Certificate of Organic Processed Foods
   • Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland) – Certificate of Inspection
3. Submit shipping and sales records verifying all details included in your application
4. Submit Phytosanitary Certificates for fresh produce
5. In your email, identify the address you want the original, signed export docuemnt shipped to. If you want the document mailed internationally, please include a FedEx account number for us to use.

Countries without equivalency arrangements

If you wish to export to a market other than those listed above, you may still be asked for an export or transaction certificate by your customer.

Contact WSDA Organic Program and we will work to provide supporting documentation to your USDA organic certificate where possible.

The Organic Trade Association’s Global Organic Trade Guide is a resource on organic requirements for countries not engaged in a trade arrangement with USDA NOP.

WSDA International Marketing Program facilitates buyer-seller connections, delivers resources and advocates global market access for Washington State agriculture. They are available to provide assistance for both organic and nonorganic exports.