Bulk Commodities     

The growth of grain exports from Nebraska has been explosive over the past decade and the future looks bright for the state.

Aside from the procedures and documents necessary for all agricultural exports, shipping plants and plant products entails adhering to the following additional requirements.

U.S. Export Requirements: All grain exported, with a few exceptions, must be officially inspected and weighted by agents of the USDA. Furthermore, all exported corn must be tested for aflatoxin, unless the buyer and seller agree otherwise. Producers exporting more than 15,000 tons of grain per year must first register with the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). There are exceptions to this requirement and to see if your operation or commodity falls under these exceptions, please visit GIPSA’s page for exporting grain.

Destination Country Requirements: Each destination country will require different documentation, and many countries require phytosanitary certifications. These certify to the destination country that the plants or plant products have been properly inspected and are free from undesirable pests. Importing countries should not require these certificates, if the plant you are exporting has been processed to a degree that they no longer have the potential for introducing pests. Phytosanitary certificates are issued by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS). They have an extensive Frequently Asked Questions page that goes into greater detail on what is required and how the certificates are obtained. Phytosanitary certificates can be issued by NDA and questions about certificates can be addressed by our Entomology Division at 402-471-6847. Questions can also be fielded by APHIS’s Export Services at 301‑851‑2311.