Australia Identity Declaration VEHCS Instructions for Vets

These detailed instructions are for veterinarians completing the identity declarations required for pets traveling to Australia.

Please complete the steps in this article for pets traveling to Australia. Then, reference the instructions below when requesting the identity declaration forms from the USDA.

VEHCS Instructions for Vets (Parts 1 & 2)

1. Log in to your VEHCS account
2. Click "New Certificate" 
   1. For "Destination Country," select “Australia.” 
   2. For "Commodity Type," select “Dogs & cats - ID declaration part 1 or 2.” 
   3. For "Intended Use," select "Personal Use (Pet)"
   4. For "Type of Admission," select "Permanent Import"
   5. For "State of Origin," select the state you are completing the certificate in
   6. For "Consignor Name," enter the pet owner's full name
   7. Complete the "Accredited Veterinarian" section, estimated date of shipment, and number of animals 
   8. Click "Next"
3. VEHCS will generate the certificate. The veterinarian does not need to fill out the PDF form before going to VEHCS.
   1. Complete each section carefully and in full
      1. SECTION A: USDA Accredited Veterinarian
         1. Enter your veterinarian & vet clinic details
      2. SECTION B: Animal Identification Details
         1. Enter all of the required pet details based on the pets approved rabies certificate!
         2. IMPORTANT: You MUST enter ALL of the details below in section B. 7
            1. Breed
            2. Color
            3. Weight
            4. Distinguishing marks/features - you MUST enter something here about the animal!!
      3. SECTION C: USDA Accredited Veterinarian Declaration
         1. Fill out only the top box with your signature, date, name, address, phone number, and email
         2. The USDA will put their endorsement in the bottom box
   2. Click "next"
4. On the "Attachments" screen, you MUST upload the photos of the pet + microchip scanner 
   1. This must be done in the Attachments section, NOT the health certificate section.
   2. Once complete, click "next"
5. On the "Payment Method" screen, enter the payment details for the endorsement, then click "Next"
6. Review everything that has been added
7. Enter your email address and the pet owner's email address to receive notifications on the status of the identity declaration endorsement
8. Then click "Submit to USDA"

More information with these instructions can be found on the USDA website: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-australia 

VEHCS Instructions for Vets (Part 3)

After Steps 1 & 2 have been completed and endorsed, a USDA Accredited veterinarian must then logon to VEHCS and submit a request for completion of the USDA identity declaration (required by Australia) by uploading a completed request form. 

**You will need the VEHCS endorsed certificate number for the two declarations that were completed previously.

1. In VEHCS, click "New Certificate." 
   1. For “Destination Country,” select “Australia.” 
   2. For “Commodity Type,” select “Commodity not listed.” 
   3. Click the “Next” button, and then for “Commodity Type,” select “Dogs & cats - final ID declaration part 3.” 
2. On the “Upload PDF” screen, upload the completed request form. 

After the request is submitted, the USDA will complete a separate identity declaration and will upload the endorsed USDA identity declaration in VEHCS and email it directly to Australia.

Once the USDA identity declaration certificate is marked "Completed" in VEHCS, the pet owner can proceed to the next step in Australia’s step-by-step guide for dogs or cats.

**Starwood will need a copy of the endorsed USDA identity declaration to accompany the pet during travel to Australia.

More information with these instructions can be found on the USDA website: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-australia