(a) General. Waivers from the official inspection and Class X weighing requirements for export grain under section 5 of the Act shall be provided in accordance with this section and the Act.

(b) Waivers—(1) 15,000 metric-ton waiver. Official inspection and Class X weighing requirements apply only to exporters and individual elevator operators who (i) exported 15,000 metric tons or more of grain during the preceding calendar year, or (ii) have exported 15,000 metric tons or more of grain during the current calendar year. Exporters and elevator operators who are granted a waiver by reason of this paragraph shall, as a condition of the waiver, keep such accounts, records, and memorandum to fully and correctly disclose all transactions concerning lots of all export grain shipments. In addition, the exporters or elevator operators shall notify the Service in writing of the intention to export grain under this waiver. In the case of lots waived under this provision, if such lots are required by contract to be inspected or weighed, or if the lots are represented by official inspection or weight certificates, then such certificates shall meet the requirements of section 5 of the Act.

(2) Grain exported for seeding purposes. Official inspection and Class X weighing requirements do not apply to grain exported for seeding purposes, provided that (i) the grain is (A) sold or consigned for sale and invoiced as seed; and (B) identified as seed for seeding purposes on the Shipper's Export Declaration; and (ii) records pertaining to these shipments are made available, upon request by the Service, for review or copying purposes.

(3) Grain shipped in bond. Official inspection and weighing requirements do not apply to grain that is shipped from a foreign country to a foreign country through the United States in bond in accordance with applicable regulations of the United States Customs Service (19 CFR part 18).

(4) Grain exported by rail or truck to Canada or Mexico. Inspection and weighing requirements do not apply to grain exported by rail or truck from the United States to Canada or Mexico.

(5) Grain not sold by grade. Official inspection requirements may be waived by the Service on a shipment-by-shipment basis for export grain not sold, offered for sale, or consigned for sale by official grade if (i) the contract and any amendments clearly show that the buyer and seller mutually agree to ship the grain without official inspection and (ii) a copy of the contract and any amendments is furnished in advance of loading, along with a completed application on a form prescribed by the Service.

(6) Service not available. Upon request, any required official inspection or Class X weighing of grain may be waived on a shipment-by-shipment basis if (i) official personnel are not and will not be available within a 24-hour period to perform needed inspection or weighing services and (ii) both the buyer and seller of the grain are made aware that the grain has not been officially inspected or Class X weighed.

(7) Emergency waiver. (i) Upon request, the requirements for official inspection or Class X weighing will be waived whenever the Service determines that an emergency exists that precludes official inspection or Class X weighing;

(ii) To qualify for an emergency waiver, the exporter or elevator operator must submit a timely written request to the Service for the emergency waiver and also comply with all conditions that the Service may require.

(8) High quality specialty grain shipped in containers. Official inspection and weighing requirements do not apply to high quality specialty grain exported in containers. Records generated during the normal course of business that pertain to these shipments must be made available to the Service upon request, for review or copying. These records must be maintained for a period of 3 years.