I received the following email from a USDA plant and seed import
specialist on April 28th. I include it here to give PBS members in
the USA with a USDA plant and/or seed import permit advance notice (in
case you weren't already
aware) that changes are soon to come. The current ePermits system is
being replaced with a new eFile system. Amendments to the current
system will soon no longer be allowed. Furthermore, all permits will
have to transition to the new eFile system in the fairly near future.
Hopefully the new eFile system will be easier to use. The full text
of the USDA email follows from here..

As a courtesy, I have processed your application P587-220424-001 and
amended your permit (P37-20-02618). This permit is still active and
expires on 10/13/2023. However, once ePermits is taken offline, you
will no longer be able to Amend this permit.

Please be aware that ePermits has been replaced with our new and
automated eFile permitting system. ePermits is being taken offline and
will be decommissioned in the coming months; however, we don't have an
exact date of when that will occur. Once ePermits is officially taken
offline, stakeholder (such as yourself) will no longer have access to
the system or be able to submit amendment applications into ePermits.
Additionally, our permitting specialists will also lose access and
will not be able to process any submitted amendment applications
within the older, replaced ePermits system.
Currently, our specialists are no longer able to RENEW permits or
issue NEW permits in the ePermits system. Permits that were issued in
the older ePermits system are not available or accessible in the new
eFile automated permitting system. Your permit will not transfer over to

APHIS recommends that applicants log into eFile and create a new
account, if he/she hasn't already done so. Your eAuthentication
credentials (current user name and password) should still be valid and
the link to create a new account in the eFile system is as follows:

<https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/> https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/ (Note:
you should also see a link to eFile when you log into your ePermits
account)

Once you have created your new account in eFile, you will be able to
apply for a NEW permit for your future import needs (again, any permit
that was issued in the replaced ePermits system will NOT be available
or accessible in eFile). Permits generated and issued within eFile
will be eligible for any subsequent and necessary amendments - as well
as for Renewal, when eligible. We appreciate your patience while we
are updating our customer service portal. Thank You.

For questions, please call 877-770-5990.

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