(a) Persons who wish to import regulated articles into the United States must apply for a permit, unless the regulated articles are not subject to a requirement under this part that a permit be issued prior to a consignment's arrival. An applicant for a permit to import regulated articles into the United States in accordance with this part must be:
(1) Capable of acting in the capacity of the permittee in accordance with § 319.7-2(e), or must designate a permittee who is so capable should the permit be issued;
(2) Applying for a permit on behalf of self or on behalf of another person as permittee; and
(3) At least 18 years of age.
(b) Permit applications must be submitted by the applicant in writing or electronically through one of the means listed at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/index.shtml in advance of the action(s) proposed on the permit application.
(c) The application for a permit must contain the following information:
(1) Legal name, address, and contact information of the applicant, and affirmation by the applicant that the applicant is at least 18 years of age;
(2) The same information of the permittee if different from the applicant, and, if the permittee is an individual, affirmation by the permittee that the permittee is at least 18 years of age;
(3) Specific type of regulated article (common and scientific names, if applicable);
(4) Country of origin;
(5) Intended use of the regulated article;
(6) Intended port(s) of first arrival; and
(7) A description of any processing, treatment, or handling of the regulated article to be performed prior to or following importation, including the location where any processing or treatment was or will be performed and the names and dosage of any chemical employed in treatments of the regulated article.
(d) The application for a permit may also require the following information:
(1) Means of conveyance;
(2) Quantity of the regulated article;
(3) Estimated date of arrival;
(4) Name, address, and contact information of any broker or subsequent custodian of the regulated article;
(5) Exporting country from which the article is to be moved, when not the country of origin; and
(6) Any other information determined to be necessary by APHIS to inform the decision to issue the permit.
(e) Application for a permit to import regulated articles into the United States must be submitted at least 30 days prior to arrival of the article at the port of entry.
(1) If, through no fault of the importer, a consignment of regulated articles subject to a requirement under this part that a permit be issued prior to a consignment's arrival arrives at a U.S. port before a permit is received, the consignment may be held, under suitable safeguards prescribed by the inspector, in custody at the risk and expense of the importer pending issuance of a permit or authorization from APHIS.
(2) An oral authorization may be granted by an inspector at the port of entry for a consignment, provided that:
(i) All applicable entry requirements are met;
(ii) Proof of application for a written permit is provided to the inspector; and
(iii) PPQ verifies that the application for a written permit has been received and that PPQ intends to issue the permit.