The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) made the filing of Section 8e requirements through U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) System mandatory. Section 8e requires certain fruit and vegetable imports to meet the same grade, size, quality and maturity standards as their domestically produced counterparts.
In a communication to the trade, effective March 3rd through June 4th (and during these dates for all subsequent years) the Section 8e import inspection requirements for onions will be suspended.
However, on March 15th, 2021 CSMS message #46628501 reversed that suspension and reinstituted the inspection requirement for onions.
In CSMS #46187634, the USDA AMS clarified the requirements for potatoes, onions, and open field/field grown tomatoes exported from Canada to the United States. This message states,
“Only the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), authorized Canadian – Partners in Quality (CPIQ) for potatoes only, and Federal or Federal/State United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection Division licensed inspectors can certify the loads as meeting the grade, size, quality, and maturity import requirements.”
Certification can be completed either prior to import into the United States or upon arrival at destination within the United States. However, certification must be completed prior to the load entering the United States stream of commerce.
Additionally, The CFIA E-2, E-3, and C-PIQ (for potatoes only) and the USDA FVE300. FV-E301, SC-300, and SC-301 are the only acceptable inspection certificates to certify the loads as meeting the grade, size, quality, and maturity import requirements.
To assist stakeholders with meeting the requirements, the USDA has made a webinar available online. Additional information can be found on the USDA website.
If you have questions regarding the 8e requirements, please contact the US Regulatory Team at transitionus@willsonintl.com or the USDA at 8eimports@usda.gov.