Inspección de flores, etiquetas y facturas. Linda Cullen, CBP.

1. U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Cut Flower Inspections
May, 2012

2. 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.

3. CBP’s Agriculture Mission
 To protect the American public.
 To detect and prevent agro-terrorism and bio-terrorism.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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”

7. NCFRP Participating Ports
Miami 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Prerequisite to the General
Inspection 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

14. 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

15. Acceptable Labels for Cut Flowers
Each label contains: Miguel’s Farm
Farm name
•Approved flower or code Rose
•Air waybills
301-11134567
Elvira Paradise Farms
Lilium
455-8597854-55268

16. Unacceptable Labels for Cut Flowers
AG33
Alstroemeria
754-52869854-1258
This label does not have the farm name.
The use of farm codes is not acceptable

17. Unacceptable Labels for Cut Flowers
Fermes Magnifiques
AST
754-52869854-1258
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.

18. Labels Discrepancies
 Boxes with unacceptable labels
will be documented as a
AG33 “Discrepancy” prior to inspection.
Alstroemeria  Discrepancy will need to be
corrected prior to inspection.
754-52869854-1258
 Inspection will be cancelled.
 Will result in a delay of the
inspection.

19. 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

20. Invoices
Detailed 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

21. Invoice Discrepancies
Most common discrepancies are:
 Incorrect information (Flower description)
 No invoice
 Box content does not match invoice

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Chrysanthemum spp. (mum) Asteracea
from 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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

32. 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)

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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

38. 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.