Attention: This page contains information on how to apply for a Certificate of Free Sale for Animal Feed. Please visit the Food Certificate of Free Sale webpage for information specific to exporting human food. 

When exporting products from Minnesota some destination countries may require a Certificate of Free Sale

The Certificate of Free Sale will attest:

• The feed product may be freely sold in Minnesota
• The product's guarantor holds a current Minnesota Commercial Feed License
• The ingredients in the feed are acceptable for inclusion in commercial feed distributed in Minnesota under the current Minnesota Commercial Feed Law and Rules and are considered safe for animal consumption if used according to directions

A Certificate of Free Sale is a physical document that will: 

• Include the three attestations shown above
• Is printed on official MDA letterhead with the MDA watermark
• Is signed by an appropriate MDA staff member
• Is signed by a notary public currently commissioned by the State of Minnesota
• Is stamped with the notary public’s official stamp

Regulatory Requirements:

• The product label must be compliant with all applicable Minnesota Laws and Rules
• The guarantor must be current with all applicable license and inspection fees (tonnage and/or product registration)
• There must be no outstanding compliance or enforcement issues with the guarantor

Physical Location Requirements:

To be eligible for a free sale certificate, at least one of these physical location conditions is required: 

1. The product's guarantor has a physical address in Minnesota

   OR

2. The product's manufacturer has a physical address in Minnesota. In these cases, the product's manufacturer must also have a current Minnesota Commercial Feed License in good standing. The manufacturer's license number as well as their Minnesota address must be indicated on the Certificate of Free Sale application under this condition.

   OR

3. The product's distributor has a physical address in Minnesota. In these cases, the product's distributor must also have a current Minnesota Commercial Feed License in good standing. The distributor's license number, as well as their Minnesota address, must be indicated on the Certificate of Free Sale application under this condition. 

Under any of the above three conditions, the guarantor must have a current Minnesota Commercial Feed License in good standing and the guarantor's name and address must be indicated on the certificate application. 

Companies that do not satisfy any of the above physical location requirements should request a certificate from the state in which they are located. 

Fees and Application Requirements:

• A nonrefundable application fee of $25.00 must accompany each Certificate of Free Sale application
• A nonrefundable fee of $50.00 per product must accompany the Certificate of Free Sale application 
• All products to be listed on a Certificate of Free Sale application must have the entire product label(s) included with the application. The label(s) must accurately represent all aspects of the product(s) on the certificate, including the name, ingredient list, and guaranteed analysis.
• All product labels submitted are subject to review. Certificates will not be issued until product labels are fully compliant with all applicable Minnesota Laws and Rules

To complete the request, you may: 

1. NOW AVAILABLE! Complete the online Certificate of Free Sale application and attach the product labels(s) to your request. Please note, you will need to select FEED CERTIFICATE OF FREE SALE under the Type of Certificate Requested field. We will review your application and product label(s) and send you an invoice for payment before issuing your Certificate of Free Sale. 

OR

2. Mail your application and product label(s) to the following address, along with payment:

Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Attn: Cashier
625 Robert Street North
Saint Paul, MN 55155 - 2538

Certificate of Free Sale Frequently Asked Questions