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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service logo Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements (FAVIR)
Effective October 1, 2022 the Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements (FAVIR) database has been replaced by the Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements database at https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/


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Commodity Import Report (CIR)

Tangelo (Fruit) from Mexico into All Ports
The CIR contains current import regulation information for the selected Commodity Import (a specific commodity approved from a designated country, or region, into one or more designated ports). A flag ( Access Restricted to APHIS/CBP ) indicates information that is intended for and available to an APHIS/CBP audience only.
Citrus paradisi x C. reticulata, Citrus x tangelo Commodity Summary Guide Page Country Summary

Import Requirements
1 Admissible Plant Parts: Fruit
2 Admissible Ports: All Ports
3 Import Permit Required: An Import Permit is required. To obtain a permit, go to APHIS eFile.
4 Subject to Inspection: This commodity is subject to inspection at the port of entry and all general requirements of 7 CFR 319.56-3.
5 Commercial Consignments Only
6 Production Location: Fruit fly-free area
  6.1 Phytosanitary Certificate: Consignments must be accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Mexico with an additional declaration stating the regulated articles originated from an area free of pests (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/DesignatedPestFreeAreas.pdf) as designated in 7 CFR 319.56-5.
  6.2 Phytosanitary Certificate: Consignments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of origin with an additional declaration stating the citrus in the consignment were cleaned using normal packinghouse procedures.
  6.3 Packaging or Labeling Requirements: Boxes must be labeled with the name of the orchard or grove of origin, or the name of the grower and the name of the municipality and State in which the fruit was produced.
  6.4 Other: Fruit must be sealed if it originated in a fruit fly-free area, but transited an area not listed as fruit fly free.
7 Production Location: Not a fruit fly-free area
  7.1 Condition of Entry Treatment: T105-a-1 (Irradiation) Irradiated in Mexico
  7.2 Phytosanitary Certificate: Consignments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of origin with an additional declaration stating the citrus in the consignment were cleaned using normal packinghouse procedures.
  7.3 Preclearance Program: Mandatory Preclearance: Consignments must be precleared. To validate foreign site preclearance inspection and/or treatment, precleared consignments must be accompanied by a signed PPQ Form 203.
  7.4 Packaging or Labeling Requirements: Consignments must be packed in boxes marked and stamped with:
  • The words, "Treated by irradiation" or "Treated with irradiation" and display the international radura symbol
  • The Production Unit Code (PUC); Treatment Facility Code (TFC); Packinghouse Code (PHC); packing date; lot number
  • The palletized cartons must be wrapped with polyethlyene shrink wrap, net wrapping, or strapping (wrapping is not required for air shipments because integrity is maintained by the container itself)
  • Each pallet or box must also be marked with the TFC, Treatment Identification Number (TIN), and treatment date
8 Production Location: Not a fruit fly-free area
  8.1 Condition of Entry Treatment: T105-a-1 (Irradiation) Irradiated upon arrival in the United States
  8.2 Import Permit Required: Must obtain an APHIS-PPQ Import Permit with Immediate Transportation (IT) Requirements. For more information on transiting safeguards, refer to the Guidelines for Immediate Transportation (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/irradiation/downloads/GuidelinesforImmediateTransportation.pdf). To obtain a permit, go to APHIS eFile.
  8.3 Phytosanitary Certificate: Consignments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Mexico.
  8.4 Condition of Entry Treatment: To ensure each of your consignments receives the appropriate treatment, contact an APHIS PPQ Certified Treatment Facility (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/aphis-certified-irradiation-facilities.pdf) in advance of the consignment's arrival.
  8.5 Packaging or Labeling Requirements: Articles must be packed in packaging preapproved by APHIS. All openings in the packages must be covered by material with holes no greater than 0.8 mm at the widest point. This is equivalent to a mesh size of no greater than 0.6 mm x 0.6 mm.
  8.6 Sample Pallet: For consignments containing more than four pallets, the importer is responsible for ensuring a sample pallet accompanies the consignment destined to the USA and that it contains a representative sample of the consignment. Failure to include a sample pallet will result in the immediate reexportation of the consignment.

A sample pallet must accompany each shipment to facilitate the port of entry inspection:
  • Prior to departure from the country of origin, a sample of the cartons representing the consignment must be selected. All orchards and lots must be represented in the sample pallet. The sample pallet must represent 2% of the consignment
  • The pallet must be netted or wrapped
  • The sample must be clearly marked “Sample Pallet” for port of entry inspection
Port of entry inspection results will determine if the consignment can be released to the irradiation facility under APHIS-PPQ supervision:

Reexportation of the consignment will result if:
  • A designated sample pallet is not present
  • The consignment is not properly labeled or configured
  • A finding of nontarget pest(s) not mitigated by treatment
  8.7 Compliance Agreement Required: Prior to applying for an import permit, you must obtain an USDA-APHIS-PPQ Importer Compliance Agreement for irradiation treatment conducted in the United States. Once you have signed the Importer Compliance Agreement, it will be valid, certifying you will meet all regulatory requirements and conditions. For more information on obtaining an Importer Compliance Agreement, refer to the Steps for Importing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Irradiation Treatment in the United States (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/sa_quarantine_treatments/import-steps-ffv-irradiation-treatment).
9 Reference Information: To be treated in accordance with the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/treatment.pdf).
Instructions for Officers
10 If the consignment is packed in loose bulk bins, see the Special Procedures for Loose Bulk Citrus (https://cbp.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/php/qpas/downloads/aqi/guidelines/InspectionProcedures-Loosebulkcitrusff.pdf). restricted image
11 If the consignment was irradiated, refer to the Special Procedures for Precleared Irradiated Fruits and Vegetables (https://cbp.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/php/favir/SpecialProcedures/downloads/Procedures_irradiated_FV.pdf). restricted image
12 If the consignment is to be irradiated in the United States, refer to the inspection procedures for Clearance of Articles Approved for Irradiation in the United States (https://cbp.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/php/favir/SpecialProcedures/downloads/IrradiationUponArrival.pdf). restricted image
Commodity Information
13 For additional commodity information and images, visit https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=102894  
Page ID: CIRReportP
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