U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Cut Flower Inspections

May, 2012

Our Mission

We are the guardians of our Nation’s borders. We are America’s frontline.

We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation’s

economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity and professionalism.

CBP’s Agriculture Mission

To protect the American public.

To detect and prevent agro-terrorism and bio-terrorism.

Miami International Airport Agriculture Air Cargo

Port of Entry Largest U.S. gateway for Latin

America and the Caribbean.

One of the leading international freight airports in the world.

Leads all U.S. airports with 89 percent of fresh-cut flowers imported into the United States every year.

Cut Flowers

Can be infested with a destructive pest.

Outbreak of plant pests can:

Cause damage to crops, trees, flowers, or lawns.

Cause millions of dollars of damage.

Increase the price .

Reduce the quality of food.

Lower property values.

Ruin recreational areas.

National Cut Flower Release Program Use pest risk analysis

Identifies combinations of high volume, low risk cut flowers flower type and country of origin

Benefits:

Expedites the release

Random inspections as “Flower of the Day”

NCFRP Participating PortsMiami International Airport is one of the participating ports.

Other participating ports are:

George Bush Intercontinental Airport; Houston, Texas

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Atlanta, Georgia

John F. Kennedy International Airport; Jamaica, New York

Los Angeles International Airport; Los Angeles, California

San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport; San Juan, Puerto Rico

NCFRP Eligible Cut Flowers

Eligible cut flowers from Colombia

Lilium spp. (lily) Liliaceae

Rosa spp. (rose) Rosaceae pp.

Rose bouquets

Any bouquet with 75% of the stems in the bouquet excluding greenery, are Rosa spp.

Zantedeschia spp. (calla lily) Araceae

NCFRP Cut Flower Additions or Deletions

Is reviewed annually

Is subject to change for a variety of reasons such as:

Number and species of pests intercepted and population levels in growing areas

Volume of flowers fluctuates annually

Suggestions to the Exporter for Faster Clearance of Your Merchandise

Include invoice information

Type invoice information clearly

Include packing list information

Provide a detailed description

Mark merchandise legibly with the country of origin

Comply with provisions of any special laws of the U.S. that may apply to your merchandise

Suggestions to the Exporter for Faster Clearance of Your Merchandise

(Continuation)

Develop packing standards for your commodities

Establish sound security procedures

Consider shipping on a carrier participating in the Automated Manifest System (AMS)

If you use a licensed Customs broker for your transaction, consider using a firm that participates in the Automated Broker Interface (ABI)

For additional information : www.cbp.gov

Entry Process File entry documents with CBP at the POE

Must be filed within 15 calendar days of arrival at U.S. POE

Entry for consumption

Must be filed and estimated duties deposited at the port with an entry/entry summary within 10 working days of the goods' entry into the commerce

Must be accompanied by evidence that a bond has been posted with CBP

In the event that a customs broker is employed, the broker may permit the use of his bond to provide the required coverage

Following presentation of the entry, the shipment may be examined, or examination may be waived by CBP

Prerequisite to the GeneralInspection Procedures

CBP will collect information and review necessary documents prior inspection:

Air waybills and shipping documents

Foreign phytosanitary certificates

Invoices (obtained from importer or broker)

Labels

Packing lists

Permits (PPQ, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and

Flora (CITES), Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Import Requirements are subject to change.

Additional information: www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/index.shtml

Labels

Must be in English.

Clearly mark at least one end of each box. 

The label shall include:

Farm name or farm Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code (MID)

Flower type or flower code Master/Simple air waybill number

House air waybill number

Acceptable Labels for Cut Flowers

Miguel’s FarmRose301-11134567

Elvira Paradise FarmsLilium455-8597854-55268

Each label contains: Farm name•Approved flower or code•Air waybills

Unacceptable Labels for Cut Flowers

AG33

Alstroemeria754-52869854-1258

This label does not have the farm name. The use of farm codes is not acceptable

Unacceptable Labels for Cut Flowers

Fermes Magnifiques

AST754-52869854-1258

546-85976842

This label references too many air waybills. Only the importing air waybills manifested in the Air Automated Manifest System may be referenced on the label.

Labels Discrepancies

Boxes with unacceptable labels will be documented as a “Discrepancy” prior to inspection.

Discrepancy will need to be corrected prior to inspection.

Inspection will be cancelled.

Will result in a delay of the inspection.

AG33

Alstroemeria754-52869854-1258

Invoices

Shall include the following:

Name and Address of Seller and Purchaser

Must be in English or a translation of English

Packing List

Destination-Port of Entry

Name of responsible individual

InvoicesDetailed description of the merchandise:

Name by which each item is known The grade or quality The marks, numbers and symbols

under which sold and packaged Quantities in appropriate weights

and measures being imported Purchase price of each item in the

currency of the purchase All charges itemized by name and

amount All discounts, commissions and

rebates Country of origin

Invoice Discrepancies

Most common discrepancies are: Incorrect information (Flower description)

No invoice

Box content does not match invoice

Import Permit Requirements

USDA PPQ •Regulates the importation of plants and plant products under the authority of the Plant Protection Act.

•Issues Transit Permits in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 7, CFR Part 352

Import Permits• Required for the importation into the U.S. and transit through the U.S. of regulated plants and plant products.

Import Permit Requirements (Continuation)

Transit Permits Required in advance of arrival for the unloading, landing or other

movement of plants, plant products, or soil in cargo through the United States.

Two types: Transportation and Exportations (T&E)

Immediate Exports (IE)

Contact Permit Services:

Telephone: (301) 734-0841 or (877) 770-5990 (Toll-Free Automated System);

Fax (301) 734-4300; Email: Permits@aphis.usda.gov

USDA-APHIS E-Permits

Is a web-based tool that gives customers the ability to apply for a permit, check its status, and view it online.

E-Permit customers can apply for the following:

PPQ Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products

Veterinary Services (VS) Applications for Permits

Biotechnology Notifications

VS Notification of On-Hold Shipment and

Other PPQ applications for permit

E-Permits users are required to complete a registration process via e-Authentication

USDA’s e-Authentication: www.eauth.egov.usda.gov

E-Permits: www.aphis.usda.gov/permits

Import Permits for Cut Flowers

In general, commercial shipments of cut flowers do not require a written permit, there are some exceptions.

Cut flowers covered under quarantines other than 7CFR 319.74 may require a written permit.

Examples include articles with decorative fruits (regulated by 7 CFR 319.56) and Triticum spp. (regulated by 7 CFR 319.59).

Admissible cut flowers are not required to have a T&E permit. 

Phytosanitary Certificates

Is issued by the foreign plant protection organization (exporting country).

Is a statement of fact (certifies the inspection) attesting to freedom from pests and admissibility into the destination country.

Can be valid and accurate, yet still be insufficient to meet conditions of entry.

Even when plants or plant products are accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, CBP inspects the importations to confirm admissibility.

Chrysanthemum spp. (mum) Asteraceafrom Colombia

Must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate or equivalent documentation.

Must have an additional declaration stating, “The place of production as well as the consignment have been inspected and found free of Puccinia horiana.

Examining and Monitoring Cargo Policy

All foreign cargo of agricultural interest are to clear at the first port of arrival or first port of unlading.

OR

Shipments may be authorized movement to another approved CBP port, if cargo is remaining on board a carrier and has an USDA Transit Permit.

Operational Methods May vary from port to port

The use of automated CBP systems, CBP release programs, and other CBP initiatives may vary from location to location.

Agriculture Inspection Hold

Placed on items of agricultural interest.

Using CBP automated tools.

Serves as a notification to the carrier and the other parties that the cargo is being restricted for agricultural reasons.

Should not be released until CBP has authorized the release.

Pest Risk Level of Cut Flowers There are three levels of pest risk:

High

Moderate

Low

The level of pest risk is based on previous imports and interceptions.

USDA APHIS determines the pest risk level.

Is subject to change for a variety of reasons such as:

Number and species of pests intercepted and population levels in growing areas.

Low Risk Cut Flowers from Colombia

Anthurium (tailflower)

Antirrhinum (snapdragon)

Eustoma grandiflora (Lisianthus)

Freesia

Lilium (lily)-NCFRP

Ornithogalum (chincherinchee,Star-of-Bethlehem)

Rosa (rose)-NCFRP

Rose bouquets If 75% of the stems in a bouquet are roses (excluding greenery) NCFRP

Ruscus (butcher's broom, box holly)

Zantedeschia (arum lily, calla lily)-NCFRP

High Risk Cut Flowers from Colombia

Aster (aster)

Chrysanthemum (mum) Chrysanthemum White Rust

Crocosmia (autumn gold, garden montbretia)

Gladiolus (sword lily)

Hypericum (St. John’s Wort)

Tritonia (Montbretia) (blazing star)

Sample Size Is the number of boxes that should be

examined from each inspectional unit.

CBPAS will refer to the USDA Cut Flowers and Greenery Manual

Factors to determine the sample size:

Pest risk level

Amount of air way bills (AWB)

Genus (same or different on the AWB)

Consignee (one or more)

Flowers of the same genus that appear to be grown at different locations or under different conditions may be considered as a separate inspectional unit

CBP verifies samples for inspection and may request additional samples, if needed.

Cut Flowers and Foliage Inspection

CBPAS examine the flowers and foliage by selectively: Shaking or tapping each flower or

bunch while holding over the inspection surface.

The flowers are tapped with enough force to dislodge any crawling insect larvae, adult flying insects that cling to the article, or fecal material.

Closely examining the inspection surface to catch smaller pests such as thrips, aphids, and early instar larvae.

Cut Flowers and Foliage Inspection CBPAS inspect for the following:

Freedom from roots

Presence of fruits

Packing Material

Signs of feeding (discolored tunneling in the leaves made by insects that feed internally)

Symptoms of diseases (discolored sections, rust, or black spots)

Snails, larvae, and/or insects

In addition, CBPAS inspect the bottom of the box for larvae, insects, snails, or evidence of these pests.

Cut Flowers and Foliage Inspection

If product is infested with insects, mollusks, or pathogens,

CBP will HOLD the shipment and

Will send the interception to the nearest USDA Plant Inspection Station.

Emergency Action Notification CBP will consult with USDA to decide

the regulatory action.

CBP will complete an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) (PPQ Form 523) and provide the importer or broker with the following options:

Treat the inspectional unit under USDA monitoring

Destroy the contaminated shipment under CBP supervision at the owner’s expense

Reexport the inspectional unit under proper safeguarding measures

Our Mission

We are the guardians of our Nation’s borders. We are America’s frontline.

We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation’s

economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity and professionalism.