United States Issues New Guidelines on Imported Natural Casings

On April 21, 2025, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued the second revision of its directive titled Export Certification and Inspection of Natural Casings. The updated directive outlines specific requirements for the importation of natural (animal-derived) casings. Key points are as follows:

1. Regulatory Oversight: Imported natural casings fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FSIS is not responsible for inspecting imported casings or authorizing them to bear the USDA inspection legend. However, FSIS is required to certify imported casings used in exports. Related businesses or facilities must provide documentation demonstrating compliance with applicable standards.

2. Legal Compliance: FSIS must verify that imported casings intended for export comply with the requirements set forth in 9 CFR 350.3 and FSIS Directive 12600.1.

3. Documentation Requirements: FSIS must ensure that imported casings are accompanied by official certification from the competent authority of the exporting country. These certificates must include statements that the casings have not been commingled with uninspected products and must be cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In certain circumstances, casings may be accompanied by FSIS Form 9060-7, with relevant remarks included.

4. Enhanced Oversight in Disease Cases: If FSIS determines that imported casings pose a risk under USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) rules—particularly regarding the spread of foreign animal diseases—stricter controls may be imposed.

5. Export Eligibility and Origin Controls: FSIS must verify that casings meet the export requirements of the intended destination country. It will restrict imports of casings that originate from or are processed in a third country not approved for export.

6. Certification Process: Upon receiving a completed FSIS Form 9060-6, FSIS will issue and sign FSIS Form 9060-18 to certify the export of natural casings.

7. Relabeling and Repackaging: Businesses and facilities may relabel and repackage imported casings, provided the products do not bear the USDA inspection legend.