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Soil Import Permit Compliance

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Because soil can potentially contain harmful bacteria, plant viruses, fungi, nematodes, and other propagules, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the importation of soil for both domestic regulated and foreign soil. These regulations are put in place to protect agriculture and natural resources from the introduction of destructive plant and animal diseases.


The USDA regulates that “Soil from all foreign countries, U.S. territories and areas within states that are under Federal quarantine can be moved into or through the continental US only if conditions and safeguards prescribed by the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are met.”


Merit Laboratories maintains a USDA Soil Import Permit for compliance with the federal regulations. As part of the USDA Soil Import program, Michael Goergen directs Merit Laboratories’ compliance efforts for receiving non-sterilized foreign and domestic soil. Mr. Goergen’s maintains a Compliance Agreement with the USDA associated with 7CFR Part 330 and 7CFR 301.


Domestic Regulated Soil is determined by the USDA for areas within the continental United States that are under quarantine for various plant pests or diseases, if soil can harbor those pests or diseases. The map of Domestic Regulated Soil is frequently updated and is published by the USDA. It should be noted that soil from Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is handled as foreign soil.


Coordinating the sample collection and shipping of domestic regulated and foreign soil is imperative. Clients should connect with Merit Laboratories prior to sample collection and shipping to ensure overall compliance with the USDA APHIS PPQ federal guidelines. There are specific requirements that must be taken when shipping domestic regulated and foreign soil to Merit Laboratories:


Domestic Regulated Soil

  1. All shipment containing untreated soil from regulated areas of the continental US must meet the following requirements:

    1. Soil must be shipped to Merit Laboratories, Inc. at 2680 East Lansing Drive, East Lansing, MI.

    2. Soil must be shipped with a copy of the compliance agreement

    3. Soil must be in a securely closed, watertight container (test tube, vial, jar, etc.) which must be enclosed in a second durable and watertight container

  2. It is the responsibility of Michael Goergen at Merit Laboratories, Inc., to notify shippers of these requirements.

Foreign Soil

  1. All shipments containing untreated foreign-origin soil mist meet the following requirements:

    1. Soil must be shipped to Merit Laboratories, Inc. at 2680 East Lansing Drive, in East Lansing, Michigan.

    2. Soil must be shipped with a copy of the PPQ 525 Permit to Receive Soil.

    3. Soil must be shipped with a copy of the PPQ 550 (Black and White Shipping Label) attached to the exterior of each shipment. For bulk shipments, the label may be included with the manifest.

    4. Soil must be in a securely closed, watertight container (test tube, vial, jar, etc.) which must be enclosed in a second durable and watertight container.

    5. Soil must be shipped from the first port of arrival in the U.S. by the bonded carrier directly to Merit Laboratories, Inc., at 2680 East Lansing Drive in East Lansing, Michigan. Hand-carrying from the first port of arrival by Michael Goergen or his designee is also allowed.

  2. Soil shipments not meeting the above requirements may be refused entry into the United States, delayed, confiscated, and/or destroyed.

  3. Importing soil in personal baggage is not allowed unless authorized by a PPQ 525 Permit to Receive Soil.

  4. Black and White Shipping Labels (PPQ Form 550) will be provided by PPQ Pest Permit Services. Additional labels may be requested by email at BlackWhiteGreenYellow.labelrequest@aphis.usda.gov .

  5. It is the responsibility of Michael Goergen at Merit Laboratories, Inc., to notify shippers of these requirements.

Non-Compliant Shipments

  1. USDA APHIS PPQ must be immediately notified at 734.942.9005 of any non-compliant soil shipments such as:

    1. shipments lacking proper documentation

    2. improperly packaged shipments

    3. shipments arriving with compromised packaging

  2. Non-compliant soil shipments must be held in quarantine at Merit Laboratories, Inc., until review by PPQ. Shipments with compromised packaging must be contained.

Merit is one of the nation’s leading environmental testing laboratories, analyzing soil, wastewater, groundwater, drinking water, and other sample matrices at our laboratory in East Lansing, Michigan for a diverse range of analytical parameters, including PFAS. Please contact Merit Laboratories for assistance on your environmental testing needs.