U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Agriculture 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.

Department of Homeland Security

Created on March 1, 2003

Prior to March 2003, agricultural inspection services fell under the USDA-PPQ.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 required federal agencies to take steps to assure the continued safety of food and agricultural resources.

Some of the USDA functions at the port of entry were transferred to CBP.

CBP and USDA Partnership

Are partners in delivering the agriculture programs

USDA establishes regulations and guidelines that govern the importation of agricultural products.

CBP conducts actual inspections at POE.

USDA retained inspection authority for:

Propagative material

Pest identification

Risk assessment

Methods development, and

Other components of various agriculture programs.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Plays a critical role in safeguarding American agriculture and the nation’s

economy by inspecting:

Passengers and their baggage

Airplanes

Vehicles

Ships

Cargo

CBP’s Agriculture Mission

To protect the American public

To detect and prevent agro-terrorism and bio-terrorism

CBP Agriculture Specialists Located at more than 300 U.S. ports of entry.

Target, detect, and intercept the entry of threats:

Exotic plant and animal pests, and

Agro- and bioterrorism from entering the U.S.

Global Trade Agriculture is the largest industry and

employing sector in the U.S.

Millions of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and other items enter the U.S. via commercial shipments from many countries every year.

Although these items appear to be harmless, there may be hidden threats that could seriously damage U.S. agriculture, our natural resources and our national economy.

Global Trade Travel and Trade have continued to

increase and grow more complex.

Americans demand fresh and varied food items every day.

One in five food items is now imported.

With the ever increasing amount of trade, new pest pathways are discovered and is contributing to the agricultural risk to the United States.

The threat to crops and livestock is real!

Agro-Terrorism

Defined as the deliberate introduction of an animal or plant disease with the goal of generating fear, causing economic losses, and/or undermining stability.

Targets agriculture or the food supply.

Examples include:

The international introduction of plant or animal pests or diseases.

Contamination of food materials with a toxic substance

Examining and Monitoring Cargo

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

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 for goods 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

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.