What a PGA is, why you may be asked extra questions about your items, and where to find each agency's import requirements.
A partner government agency (PGA) is a U.S. agency, other than U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), that regulates certain imported goods. For example, the FDA oversees food and medicine, and the USDA oversees plants, animal products, and organic goods. CBP enforces these agencies' rules at the border, so shipments of regulated items need extra information before they can be released.
These requirements have long applied to commercial imports, and they increasingly apply to postal shipments too.
When you declare an item in the Zonos app, Zonos checks it against each agency's requirements. If your item is regulated, you'll be asked a few questions, such as the manufacturer's name and address, the type of plant or wood it contains, or whether it's organic. Zonos fills in what it can and only asks for what's missing.
Answering accurately helps your package clear customs without delays.
These are the agencies the Zonos app checks today. Other agencies may also regulate your items, so you may be asked questions that aren't covered on this page.
For businesses and developers: To check and answer these requirements in your own integration, see Clarify.
Questions about what to answer?
Zonos Support can't answer agency questions on your behalf. The agency websites above are the best source for what each agency requires, and they're the same resources our support team will point you to.
Partner government agencies (PGA)
Partner government agencies (PGA)
What a PGA is, why you may be asked extra questions about your items, and where to find each agency's import requirements.
A partner government agency (PGA) is a U.S. agency, other than U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), that regulates certain imported goods. For example, the FDA oversees food and medicine, and the USDA oversees plants, animal products, and organic goods. CBP enforces these agencies' rules at the border, so shipments of regulated items need extra information before they can be released.
These requirements have long applied to commercial imports, and they increasingly apply to postal shipments too.
Why am I being asked extra questions?
When you declare an item in the Zonos app, Zonos checks it against each agency's requirements. If your item is regulated, you'll be asked a few questions, such as the manufacturer's name and address, the type of plant or wood it contains, or whether it's organic. Zonos fills in what it can and only asks for what's missing.
Answering accurately helps your package clear customs without delays.
Agency requirements
Each agency's website explains exactly what it requires. Find the one that matches your item.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: food, drugs, cosmetics, supplements, and medical devices.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: rules for sending FDA-regulated products, such as medicine and supplements, for personal use.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: wildlife and products made from animals, such as leather, feathers, shells, and ivory.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: organic products.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: animal products and by-products, such as meat, dairy, and animal-based ingredients.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: plants and products made from plants or wood.
These are the agencies the Zonos app checks today. Other agencies may also regulate your items, so you may be asked questions that aren't covered on this page.
Zonos guides
What can and can't be mailed under FDA rules, including vitamins, OTC medicines, prescription drugs, pet medicine, and controlled substances.
Consumer product safety requirements for imported goods, including eFiling.
For businesses and developers: To check and answer these requirements in your own integration, see Clarify.
Zonos Support can't answer agency questions on your behalf. The agency websites above are the best source for what each agency requires, and they're the same resources our support team will point you to.
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