Welcome to PCIT

The phytosanitary Certificate & Issuance Tracking (PCIT) system is a web-based application developed to meet the following objectives for US exporters:

•Enable the creation of online phytosanitary certificates for eligible agricultural commodities being exported to foreign countries.
•Provide greater security, fraud reduction, and increased consistency by utilizing electronically exchanged phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto) with participating ePhyto trading partners.
•Provide data standards facilitating data integrity for reporting and communication with foreign governments.
•Protect PCIT data by incorporating defined security requirements.

The Welcome to PCIT screen and all other screens have a similar layout:

•A welcome banner at the top of the screen displays your name and organization; internal users can belong to multiple organizations, so their primary organization will be displayed.
•A Manage Account link is unique to the Welcome to PCIT screen and displays under the welcome banner for all users.  It enables users to access their profile information to update their name, and if they are an organization administrator, their organization’s information.
•A Sign Out link displays under the welcome banner on all screens for all users.
•An Account Balance displays under the welcome banner on all screens for industry users.
•A left menu with functions associated with your PCIT user role, e.g., applicant, ACO.  The left menu changes based on what action is being taken.
•A large working panel in the center of the screen that changes based on what function is being performed.
•And links to resources are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

This Help file is designed both as a course in using PCIT and as an ongoing reference while you are working with the application.  To view the Help file, click the Need Help link at the top right of the page.

Refer to the PCIT Quick Reference Guides below for simple instructions, broken down by topic and user, to help you quickly understand the basics of using PCIT.

NOTE:  If you experience problems accessing the PCIT Quick Reference Guides, Port 8087 needs to be open on the local network.

For Industry Users

•PCIT Overview
•Accessing PCIT for the First Time
•Adding Funds to an Organization's Account in PCIT
•Creating an Application
•Managing PCIT User Accounts
•Printing Certificates
•Requesting a Replacement Certificate
•Requesting a Replacement Certificate as an Authorized Entity (AE) Applicant
•Splitting Certificates

For Internal Users

•Accessing PCIT for the First Time
•Adding Funds to an Organization's Account in PCIT
•Processing an Application
•Splitting Certificates

 

If you ever need assistance using PCIT, please contact the PCIT Help Desk.

 

 E-mail: pcithelpdesk@usda.gov

 

NOTES REGARDING ACO Signatures

 

•PCIT  provides functionality that will allow an ACO to add a scanned signature image stored in PCIT in block 18, Signature of Authorized Officer, for PPQ Forms 577 and 579 for printing.
This is an optional feature for ACOs.  ACOs are not required to use a signature image when issuing PCIT certificates.
•When an original certificate is being printed by an authorized applicant, and the ACO designated as responsible for the certificate has a signature image on file, the signature image will print on the original certificate.
•In addition, when an original certificate is printed by an ACO with a stored signature image, PCIT will ask the ACO if the signature image should print on the original certificate.  This allows the ACO the flexibility to physically sign original certificates when desired. 
•Please contact your Export Certification Specialist for more information.