USDA to launch new electronic trade certification system for dairy

Training webinars to explain how to use the system will be held on April 29 and May 4

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will launch the Agriculture Trade Licensing & Attestation Solution (ATLAS) on May 6, 2021. ATLAS is the first phase of an improved electronic trade certification system (eTDE) for use by the dairy industry. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is leading the modernization of eTDE, which is the current electronic certification system, to streamline agriculture trade activities and improve the customer experience. ATLAS is a single enterprise-wide portal that allows the secure exchange of trade data and documents needed for shipments to worldwide ports from marketing through delivery for the dairy industry. ATLAS is part of USDA’s information technology modernization strategy, which includes measures to improve customers’ digital experience and modernize applications.

Once ATLAS is launched, dairy exporters will be able to use the portal to request and receive export certificate documents needed to engage in global trade. ATLAS will provide customers increased transparency throughout the certificate process and will improve their ability to request and update export certificate requests, communicate with USDA staff about specific certificates, and review certificate billing information.

USDA will hold training webinars to explain to dairy stakeholders how to use the system on April 29 and May 4, 2021. An introductory video and information on how to attend the webinars will be posted on the ATLAS web page. Additional training materials, including short “how-to” videos and a user manual, will also be posted online before the May 6 launch.