Northwest Horticultural Council
Export Manual
NICARAGUA
Capital: ManaguaPopulation: 6,676,948 (2024)
Currency: Cordoba
Official Language(s): Spanish
I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)
The NHC’s MRL Database is a resource only available to U.S. growers, packers, and shippers of apples, pears, and sweet cherries who are located in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and those that work with them. It is intended to be an initial guide for those U.S. Pacific Northwest companies interested in exporting tree fruit to select markets of interest. Commercially important information should be rechecked and verified with knowledgeable parties in the country of interest prior to sales or shipment. This Database utilizes global MRL data partially funded by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and managed by FoodChain ID. By accessing and using the NHC’s MRL Database, you acknowledge and agree that you have read and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of use and agree to be bound by them as an express condition to your continued use of the Database.
To access the MRL Database, click here.
II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION
A. Chemical residue standards:
Nicaragua defers to maximum residue levels established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
B. Monitoring chemical residues:
The Ministry of Health (MINSA) checks imported produce on a random basis. Samples are collected by MINISA and the Ministry of Agriculture (MAGFOR).
C. Restrictions on use of waxes:
MINSA follows Codex Alimentarius Commission standards regarding the use of waxes.
III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS
None.
IV. TARIFFS
As agreed under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, the tariff rate for U.S. apples, pears, and cherries is zero.
In order for importers to obtain this preferential duty-free rate, a Certificate of Origin must be provided. See section Chapter V, Section E for more information.
V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
A. Labeling requirements:
None.
B. Licenses and quotas:
None.
C. Currency Issues:
None.
D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:
Apples and Pears: A Phytosanitary Certificate and Import Permit are required.
Cherries: A Phytosanitary Certificate and Import Permit are required. The shipment must be free of brown rot (Monilinia fructicola) and eastern cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cingulata).
E. Certificate of Origin:
A Certificate of Origin must accompany any shipment in order to obtain the preferential duty-free tariff provided under the DR- CAFTA.
There is no official Certification of Origin form. However, a “suggested form” for imports under DR-CAFTA, including instructions on how to fill in the form may be found at Certificate of Origin.
Special attention should be paid to entering the correct “preferential tariff treatment criteria” under box 7 of the suggested form. For fruit exported from the Pacific Northwest, the correct entry is the capital letter A; which designates the import as “it is a good wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the Parties.”
VI. MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY:
Pear Bureau Northwest:
Luis Moreno
Grupo PM S.A. de C.V.
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Voice: +52 777 316 7370
Fax: +52 777 316 7369
E-mail: grupopm@grupopm.com
VII. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:
Governmental:
VIII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act was signed by President Bush on August 2, 2005. This FTA entered into force in Nicaragua on April 1, 2006.
