Frozen Edible Bovine Offal, NESOI (Hearts, Kidneys, Brains, Sweetbreads, Lips & Other)

FSIS maintains BSE safeguard regulations that restrict the import of specified risk materials (SRMs), which include brain and spinal cord tissue from cattle over a certain age threshold. Importing frozen bovine brains requires that the shipment originate from a country with a recognized BSE risk status and that the foreign establishment's documentation confirms the cattle's age and SRM-free processing. Importers should consult FSIS's current BSE import regulations and work with a licensed customs broker experienced in FSIS compliance before contracting for brain imports.

Each offal type in a mixed shipment must be separately identified on the commercial invoice and FSIS import inspection application, as FSIS reinspects by product type and the applicable regulatory requirements (including any age or SRM restrictions) differ by organ. Packaging should segregate organ types to facilitate reinspection sampling. Failure to accurately declare each product type can result in detention of the entire shipment pending clarification. Engaging a freight forwarder with FSIS import experience is strongly advisable for mixed-offal consignments.