What does CBP look for when inspecting agricultural products?

Factual Questions
1

I am in Mexico right now and would like to bring back some dried chilies that are difficult to impossible to find at home. I plan to declare everything as required by law, but CBP’s website is very vague about what requirements dried veggies actually have to meet to be allowed into the U.S. What are they actually looking for? Here’s what I can find on the CBP website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/traveler/intl-travel/fruits-vegetables/fruits-vegetables#:~:text=Dried,introduction%20of%20pests%20and%20diseases.

I would rather not schlep things on 3 flights and spend money on them if they are just going to be confiscated.

2

Dried chilis will likely have seeds which are explicitly prohibited.

Most dried spices can be imported except for orange, lemon, lime, and other citrus leaves and seeds, and many vegetable and fruit seeds.

3

If you’re returning through California, don’t just check US restrictions. The state bans some agricultural products that the feds don’t.

4

Yeah, a bit of googling makes it seem like dried chiles are pretty much verboten.

5

I’m curious what types of dried chili peppers are sold in Mexico but not available in the U.S.

There are various kinds sold on Amazon that are said to be sourced from Mexico, and I’d bet there’s a good selection at Hispanic grocery stores.

*New Mexico is of course famous for chile peppers.

6

We live in Chicago and there are hundreds of thousands of people of Mexican descent here. Our neighborhood grocery stores frequently have entire walls of dried peppers and bottled salsas. But I have never seen chilhuacle negro or rojo. If they aren’t expensive, I may just give it a try. We are going through CBP in Atlanta.

7

(We are in Oaxaca and they are indispensable ingredients for Oaxaca black mole.)

8

Looks like they can be purchased online, for example from this seller.

Probably cheaper in Mexico though.

*I might want to try growing those kinds of peppers. I see that seeds are available.

9

Probably also fresher here. I think I will just call CBP and see what they say.

10

We were just quoted 800 pesos/kilo for black, and 600 pesos/kilo for red. Which is expensive by local standards but a hell of a lot cheaper than that online seller. Apparently they are a PITA to grow, and even the ones grown in other places in Mexico aren’t as good.

11

Update email reply from the USDA: Good day,

The scientific name for chilhuacle negro and chilhuacle rojo are Capsicum annuum. Dried Capsicum annuum for consumption is admissible into the United States – an import permit is not required from USDA APHIS-PPQ Plant Products Permitting unit.

If the article is fully processed and is free from plant pest, no permit is required; however, a “Letter of No Permit required” is optional and may facilitate clearance of the commodity through the port of entry. Please be advised that all plant origin material is subject to inspection and the final decision is that of the inspecting Customs Officer.

Letter of No Permit

Please fill out an PPQ form 587 application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products. There is no charge for the PPQ 587 permit application or permit, the permit is valid for three years, and when the permit is issued, it should inform you on how to import the below plant products.

The form can be submitted electronically, faxed, or mailed – the mailing address and phone are in the upper right-hand corner of the application. We recommend using our on-line program, eFile as this is the fastest way to obtain a permit. Please note that in order to use eFile, you need a level 2 eAuthentication account, and Google Chrome. Please use the link below to start the process and permit application.

eFile Link: https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/

“How To” Video Instructions Link for eFile: APHIS eFile PPQ 587 Permit Application - YouTube

eAuthentication

If the importer is new to our electronic systems, then they will need to register for an eAuthenication account. USDA eAuthentication (eAuth) is the system used by USDA agencies to enable individual customers and employees to obtain accounts that will allow them to access USDA Web applications and services via the Internet. For more information, or to create an account for an eAuthentication account, please visit https://www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/usda/home.

Customs

A Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection Agricultural Specialist officer will inspect the item and make the final determination as to if it is allowed into the United States. For more information concerning the Customs declaration process please contact them at (877) 227-5511 or if you are outside the United States (202) 325-8000 or view their website at www.cbp.gov and go to “locate a port” which is at the bottom left of the screen. Then scroll down to the state the port is in and find the direct contact information to that port.

I hope this information helps; however, please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments at 1-877-770-5990 or 301-851-2046.

Sincerely,

[name redacted]

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection Quarantine – Permits and Compliance Coordination”

Reply within the hour, basically confirming that I just need to declare them and have them inspected. Your tax dollars at work!

12

The following dried products are generally allowed but you must declare and present them to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for inspection:

Beans
Dates
Figs
Nuts (but not chestnuts or acorns)
Okra
Peas
Raisins
Szechwan peppercorns

I don’t see chiles on their list, but maybe they didn’t list everything that is allowed.