USDA’s Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) Database Will Replace the Plants for Planting and Treatment Manuals in October

On October 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will relocate the Plants for Planting and Treatment manuals to the Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database. ACIR provides the public with near real-time access to commodity import information. It also enables APHIS inspectors and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to regulate commodities accurately and consistently. 

The ACIR database consolidates all plant product manuals, including specific commodity types and treatment schedules, into a single source location, with a consistent format. ACIR’s import requirement data are also integrated with the eFile system for processing plant-related permit, license, and registration applications. 

The Plants for Planting and Treatment manuals will be available to APHIS and CBP staff on an internal website until April 1, 2025. Until then, APHIS’ Information Services and Manuals Unit (ISMU) will update the manuals as needed. After the deadline, the manuals will be available for reference only. 

APHIS’ Professional Development Center and ISMU staff have developed training and outreach materials to help new ACIR users. Short, instructional videos about how to use the portal are available on our ACIR Help page and Videos and Guides tab.   The ACIR Help Desk (acirdatabase.comments@usda.gov) is also available for questions from employees and stakeholders.   

Stakeholders can receive additional information on updates and changes to ACIR by subscribing to the APHIS Stakeholder Registry.