USDA APHIS Instructions for NSHS Application Fee Payment Online at Pay.Gov

These step-by-step instructions cover how to pay for your USDA APHIS portion of your application fee online through the pay.gov platform. Please note: step seven includes a Shorthand Code to include in your payment.

Go to www.pay.gov

Click on “SEE ALL FORMS”

Filter by typing Animal.

Click on “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Customers”

Click on “Continue to the Form”

Fill out the Required Fields (with asterisk).

At the bottom of the form, you will see a question for “Service Provided By”, click on the
Drop-Down Box to get the menu and choose the Program for which you are paying, in this case “COD Payments”.

In the field for “Email address”, provide the Point of Contact’s email address.

Enter your Payment/Short Hand Code Element(s) and Amount(s).

ShortHand Code (SHC) for Fiscal year 2025 (FY25) is: 25XXPQPH1424PQMSFMSFENSUSDA

If this code is not entered correctly, the payment will not post into your account. This code changes every Fiscal Year (FY). A Federal (FY) starts on October 1 and ends on September 30. For example, Federal FY24 runs from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 and FY25 begins on October 1, 2024 and runs through September 30, 2025. Please check with your contact to verify the current code.

Click on “Continue”.

Choose the type of payment method you would like to use and click on “Next”

Enter all the required payment information for the payment method chosen and click on “Review and Submit Payment”.

If you select Bank Account (ACH), you will need to enter your Routing and Account number (can be found on the bottom of your bank check).

If you select PayPal, you will be directed to your PayPal log in and asked to process payment there. Once submitted, you will be directed back to the Pay.gov site.

Review the payment information. If all information is correct, put a check in the box next to the authorizing statement and click on “Submit Payment”.

Email address for confirmation will pre-fill with the Point of Contact’s email address you
indicated at the beginning of the process.

Please put in the following email address into the CC box to ensure your payment is marked as received by USDA APHIS. Sarika.s.Negi@usda.gov

Either print or save a copy of the payment confirmation for your records.  This payment confirmation will be emailed to each email address submitted with the payment as well.