Effective immediately, as of October 24th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has announced that they will allow importation of fresh tangerines, clementines and mandarins into the continental United States from Morocco, lifting a previous ban.
If treatment of the fruit has not been completed or fails, the fruits or vegetables may only arrive in the United States at either of the following locations:
•At ports located north of 39° latitude and east of 104° longitude
•At ports that have approved cold treatment facilities
Additionally, all shipments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration that the consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the citrus operational work plan agreement between APHIS and the NPPO.
To take advantage of this new ruling, you should amend, renew, or submit your permit applications, on-line, through ePermits or by submitting a PPQ Form 587.
For more information, please visit www.aphis.usda.gov.