Northwest Horticultural Council
Export Manual
UNITED STATES
Capital: Washington, D.C.Population: 334,998,398 (July 2021 est.)
Currency: U.S. dollar
Official Language(s): English
I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)
Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.
Apple MRLs in Top Markets – updated December 3, 2021
Pear MRLs in Top Markets – updated December 3, 2021
Cherry MRLs in Top Markets – updated December 3, 2021
II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION
A. Chemical residue standards:
The Environmental Protection Agency approves the use of pesticides and sets maximum residue level tolerances for fruits. The U.S. maintains a national list for pesticides which are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under Title 40 Part 180.
B. Monitoring chemical residues:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food & Drug Administration enforces chemical residue levels on imported and domestically produced fruits.
C. Restrictions on use of waxes:
Under review.
III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS
IV. TARIFFS
| HTS Code | Description | General Rate of Duty |
| 0808.10.00 | Apples | Free |
| 0808.30.20 | Pears – Imported from April 1 to June 30 | Free |
| 0808.30.40 | Pears – Imported any other time | 0.3 cents/kg |
| 0809.10.00 | Apricots | 0.2 cents/kg |
| 0809.29.00 | Cherries | Free |
| 0809.30.20 | Peaches & nectarines – Imported from June 1 to November 30 | 0.2 cents/kg |
| 0809.30.40 | Peaches & nectarines – Imported any other time | Free |
| 0809.40.20 | Plums – Imported from January 1 to May 31 | Free |
| 0809.40.40 | Plums – Imported any other time | 0.5 cents/kg |
| 2008.40 | Pears (canned)* | 15.3% |
| 2008.99.05 | Applesauce | 0.9 cents/kg |
| 2009.71 | Apple Juice | Free |
| 2009.89.20 | Pear Juice | Free |
* Under the terms on the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (entered into force in 2004) the duty on canned pears is being gradually reduced. Canned pear imports entering in 2013 are assessed a 5.1% duty so long as they enter valued at 59.4 ¢/kg or higher for containers holding less than 1.4 kg. The same tariff rate applies for containers weighing more than 1.4 kg and valued at 58.5 ¢/kg. Higher tariff rates are applied on a sliding scale if product is imported below the minimum price.
* Under the terms on the U.S.- Australia Free Trade Agreement (entered into force in 2005) the duty on canned pears is being gradually reduced. Canned pear imports entering in 2013 are assessed a 7.5% duty so long as they enter valued at 58.5 ¢/kg or higher for containers holding less than 1.4 kg. The same tariff rate applies for containers weighing more than 1.4 kg and valued at 52.2 ¢/kg. Higher tariff rates are applied on a sliding scale if product is imported below the minimum price.
V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
A. Labeling requirements:
Please see the NHC’s Fresh Fruit Labeling Manual.
B. Licenses and quotas:
Quotas – none
C. Currency Issues:
None
D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:
Information for this section is under review.
E. Solid Wood Packaging Material (SWPM) Regulations:
Please refer to the SWPM section of the NHC’s Technical Bulletins and Industry Advice.