USDA reminded filers of organic entry HTS flag change and NOP-IC filing errors
CBP title: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service – National Organic Program – New HTS Code Flagging and Filing Reminders
This message is from February 6, 2026. Later CSMS messages may have changed it. See the latest trade news
What did CBP announce?
CBP relayed a USDA National Organic Program notice that certain HTS codes changed from AM7 (may file) to AM8 (must file, reject severity) on February 13, 2026. USDA also flagged common filing errors: using non-conforming 10-digit NOP ID numbers instead of 21-character NOP-IC numbers, and filing under the wrong ACE message set. The notice said organic shipments without a valid NOP-IC number can face reexport, donation, or destruction, and told filers to use the OR2 message set for electronic NOP-IC numbers and OR1 only for manually issued NOP-ICs with a COOP code.
What is Allied's position?
This notice set filing rules for organic entries that took effect in February 2026 and, unless a later CSMS message says otherwise, should still govern how NOP-IC data is filed today. We file organic entries using valid 21-character NOP-IC numbers under the OR2 message set, or OR1 only when a client provides a manually issued NOP-IC with a COOP code. Clients importing organic goods should send us the correct NOP-IC number for each shipment and ask us to confirm the HTS flag status if unsure.
General information, not legal advice.
What does the CBP message say?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) is providing a reminder about import filing requirements in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for organic entries and new organic HTS codes.
Flagging Update: On Friday, February 13, 2026, the AMS tariff flag code for the following HTS codes will change from AM7 (may File) to AM8 (must file) – with reject severity:
Filing Reminders: The NOP is also encountering two common errors with trade submitted import filing data in ACE for organic shipments.
- Filers are submitting organic shipments using non-conforming data in place of NOP Import Certificate (NOP-IC) numbers. For example, filers are entering 10-digit NOP ID numbers for certified operations in supply chains. These 10-digit numbers are not valid NOP-IC numbers and are not shipment-specific.
- Filers are submitting organic shipments under the wrong message set in ACE. Use the OR2 message set to enter all 21-character NOP-IC numbers.
Organic shipments that arrive in the United States without a valid NOP-IC number are subject to reexport, donation (with restrictions), or destruction. Organic shipments with non-conforming NOP-IC data may be subject to increased scrutiny or rejected. NOP-IC numbers which contain or are followed by “draft” are not valid for entry.
When filing electronic NOP-IC numbers in ACE, filers must use the OR2 message set. Special codes for American Certified Organic Goods Returned, Non-Retail Samples/Donations, and Personal Goods/e-commerce must also be filed under the OR2 message set.
The OR1 message set is for specific uses. Filers may receive a manually generated non-electronic NOP-IC with a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) code. These NOP-ICs are issued by certifiers during system outages. The COOP code is nine (9) characters including hyphens (e.g., 010-000-C). Filers must use OR1 to file manually generated NOP-ICs and have a copy of the non-electronic NOP-IC with the COOP code available to complete the entry.
For more information about these NOP filing updates and reminders, please contact the NOP at: nop.guidance@usda.gov (mailto:nop.guidance@usda.gov).
For more information on import requirements for organic products, see: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/strengthening-organic-enforcement.