General. When commodities are offered for inspection and are certificated as a single lot, the applicant may exchange the inspection certificate for two or more divided-lot certificates.

Application. Requests for divided-lot certificates shall be made—

In writing;

By the applicant who made the initial request;

To the office that issued the outstanding certificate;

Within 5 business days of the outstanding certificate date; and

Before the identity of the commodity has been lost.

Quantity restrictions. Divided-lot certificates shall not show an aggregate quantity different than the total quantity shown on the superseded certificate.

Surrender of certificate. The certificate that will be superseded shall—

Be in the custody of the cooperator or the Service;

Be marked “Void,” and

Show the identification of the divided-lot certificates.

Certification requirements. The same information and statements, including permissive statements, that were shown on the superseded certificate shall be shown on each divided-lot certificate. Divided-lot certificates shall show—

A statement indicating the commodity was inspected as an undivided lot;

The terms “Divided-Lot Original,” and the copies shall show “Divided-Lot Copy;”

The same serial number with numbered suffix (for example, 1764-1, 1764-2, 1764-3, and so forth); and

The quantity specified by the request.

Issuance and distribution. Divided-lot certificates shall be issued no later than the close of business on the next business day after the request and be distributed according to § 868.70(b).

Limitations. After divided-lot certificates have been issued, further dividing or combining is prohibited except with the approval of the Service.