(a) Pursuant to section 8e of the Act and Part 944—Fruits; Import Regulations, the importation into the United States of any avocados is prohibited unless such avocados grade at least U.S. No. 2, as such grade is defined in the United States Standards for Grades of Florida Avocados (7 CFR 51.3050 through 51.3069).

(b) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, is designated as the government inspection service for certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of avocados that are imported into the United States. Inspection by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective service, applicable to the particular shipment of avocados, is required on all imports. The inspection and certification services will be available upon application in accordance with the rules and regulations governing inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products (7 CFR part 51) and in accordance with the regulations designating inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification (7 CFR 944.400).

(c) The term importation means release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The term commercial processing into products means the manufacture of avocado product which is preserved by any recognized commercial process, including canning, freezing, dehydrating, drying, the addition of chemical substances, or by fermentation.

(d) Any person may import up to 55 pounds of avocados exempt from the requirements specified in this section.

(e) Any lot or portion thereof which fails to meet the import requirements, and is not being imported for purposes of consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, seed, or commercial processing into products; prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of such lot borne by the importer.

(f) The grade, size, and quality requirements of this section shall not be applicable to avocados imported for consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, seed, or commercial processing into products, but shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350.

[50 FR 21032, May 22, 1985, as amended at 58 FR 69185, Dec. 30, 1993; 79 FR 67039, Nov. 12, 2014; 88 FR 82233, Nov. 24, 2023]

(a) Pursuant to section 8e [7 U.S.C. 608e-1] of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended [7 U.S.C 601-674], and Part 944—Fruits; Import Regulations, the importation into the United States of any avocados, except the Hass, Fuerte, Zutano, and Edranol varieties, is prohibited unless:

(1) Any portion of the skin of the individual avocados has changed to the color normal for that fruit when mature for those varieties which normally change color to any shade of red or purple when mature, except for the Linda variety; or

(2) Such avocados meet the minimum weight or diameter requirements for the Monday nearest each date specified, through the Sunday immediately prior to the nearest Monday of the specified date in the next column, for each variety listed in the following table I: Provided, that avocados may not be handled prior to the earliest date specified in column A of such table for the respective variety; Provided further, There are no restrictions on size or weight on or after the date specified in column D; Provided further, That up to a total of 10 percent, by count to the individual fruit in each lot may weigh less than the minimum specified or be less than the specified diameter, except that no such avocados shall be over 2 ounces lighter than the minimum weight specified for the variety: Provided further, That up to double such tolerance shall be permitted for fruit in an individual container in a lot.

(3) Avocados which fail to meet the maturity requirements specified in this section must be maintained under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service using the Positive Lot Identification program, and when presented for reinspection, must meet the maturity requirements which correspond to the date of the original inspection.

(4) The requirements listed in table I of this section are in effect annually from April 16 through April 15 of the following year, with an exception for the requirements for Guatemalan seedling which are in effect annually from June 9 to June 8 of the following year.

(b) The term diameter means the greatest dimension measured at a right angle to a straight line from the stem to the blossom end of the fruit.

(c) The term importation means release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The term commercial processing into products means the manufacture of avocado product which is preserved by any recognized commercial process, including canning, freezing, dehydrating, drying, the addition of chemical substances, or by fermentation.

(d) Any person may import up to 55 pounds of avocados exempt from the requirements specified in this section.

(e) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, is designated as the governmental inspection service for certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of avocados imported into the United States. Inspection by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective service, applicable to the particular shipment of avocados, is required on all such imports. The inspection and certification services will be available upon application in accordance with the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Products (7 CFR part 51), and in accordance with the regulation designating inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification (7 CFR 944.400).

(f) Any lot or portion thereof which fails to meet the import requirements, and is not being imported for purposes of consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, seed, or commercial processing into products; prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of such lot borne by the importer.

(g) The maturity requirements of this section shall not be applicable to avocados imported for consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, seed, or commercial processing into products, but such avocados shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350.

[59 FR 30871, June 16, 1994, as amended at 61 FR 13058, Mar. 26, 1996; 64 FR 53186, Oct. 1, 1999; 73 FR 26945, May 12, 2008; 79 FR 55354, Sept. 16, 2014; 87 FR 8143, Feb. 14, 2022; 88 FR 82233, Nov. 24, 2023]

(a) Pursuant to Section 8e [7 U.S.C. Section 608e-1] of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended [7 U.S.C. 601-674], and Part 944—Fruits; Import Regulations, the importation into the United States of any grapefruit is prohibited unless such grapefruit meet the following minimum grade and size requirements for each specified grapefruit classification:

(b) The term grapefruit is defined as citrus paradisi, MacFadyen.

(c) Terms and tolerances pertaining to grade and size requirements, which are defined in the United States Standards for Grades of Florida Grapefruit (7 CFR 51.750-51.784), and in Marketing Order No. 905 (7 CFR 905.18 and 905.306(a) through (d)), shall be applicable herein.

(d) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, is designated as the governmental inspection service for certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of grapefruit imported into the United States. Inspection by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective service, applicable to the particular shipment of grapefruit, is required on all such imports. The inspection and certification services will be available upon application in accordance with the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Products (7 CFR part 51), and in accordance with the regulation designating inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification (7 CFR 944.400).

(e) Any lot or portion thereof which fails to meet the import requirements, and is not being imported for purposes of consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, animal feed, or commercial processing into canned or frozen products or into a beverage base; prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of said lot borne by the importer.

(f) Any person may import up to 15 standard packed cartons (12 bushels) of grapefruit exempt from the requirements specified in this section.

(g) Any grapefruit which fail to meet the import requirements prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of such grapefruit borne by the importer.

(h) The Secretary has determined that grapefruit imported into the United States are in most direct competition with grapefruit grown in Florida regulated under Marketing Order No. 905 (7 CFR part 905).

(i) The grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements of this section shall not be applicable to grapefruit imported for consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, animal feed, or commercial processing into canned or frozen products or into a beverage base, but shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350.

[58 FR 39430, July 23, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 59934, Nov. 12, 1993; 58 FR 69185, Dec. 30, 1993; 59 FR 56380, Nov. 14, 1994; 60 FR 58499, Nov. 28, 1995; 61 FR 64253, Dec. 4, 1996; 63 FR 62923, Nov. 10, 1998; 64 FR 58762, Nov. 1, 1999; 66 FR 229, Jan. 3, 2001; 68 FR 53024, Sept. 10, 2003; 74 FR 15644, Apr. 7, 2009; 82 FR 55308, Nov. 21, 2017; 84 FR 16201, Apr. 18, 2019]

(a) Pursuant to section 8e (7 U.S.C. 608e-1) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C 601-674), and part 944—Fruits; Import Regulations, the importation into the United States of any oranges is prohibited unless such oranges grade at least U.S. No. 2, and they are at least 2 3/16 inches in diameter. Effective July 1 through August 31 of each year this paragraph is suspended.

(b) The term oranges is defined as Citrus sinensis, Osbeck.

(c) The term importation means release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The term processing means the manufacture of any orange product which has been converted into sectioned fruit or into fresh juice, or preserved by any commercial process, including canning, freezing, dehydrating, drying, and the addition of chemical substances, or by fermentation.

(d) Terms and tolerances pertaining to grade and size requirements, which are defined in the United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, California, and Arizona) (7 Cspan 51.680-51.714), shall be applicable herein.

(e) Any person may import up to 400 pounds a day of oranges exempt from the requirements specified in this section.

(f) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, is designated as the governmental inspection service for certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of oranges imported into the United States. Inspection by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective service, applicable to the particular shipment of oranges, is required on all such imports. The inspection and certification services will be available upon application in accordance with the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Products (7 Cspan part 51), and in accordance with the regulation designating inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification (7 Cspan 944.400).

(g) Any oranges which fail to meet the import requirements, and are not being imported for purposes of consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, or processing into products; prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of such oranges borne by the importer.

(h) The grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements of this section shall not be applicable to oranges imported for consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, or processing into products, but shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350, Provided that: oranges, imported as exempt under this regulation, cannot be shipped to processors who have facilities, equipment, or outlets to repack or sell fruit in fresh form.

(i) The Secretary has determined that oranges imported into the United States are in most direct competition with oranges grown in Texas regulated under Marketing Order No. 906.

[59 span 25792, May 18, 1994, as amended at 60 span 33679, June 29, 1995; 61 span 13059, Mar. 26, 1996; 79 span 11300, Feb. 28, 2014; 88 span 82233, Nov. 24, 2023]

(a) Exempt use. Each person who imports or receives any of the commodities listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section shall file (electronically or paper) an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” (SC-6) with the Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA. A “person who imports” may include a customs broker, acting as an importer's representative (hereinafter referred to as “importer”). A copy of the completed form (electronic or paper) shall be provided to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. If a paper form is used, a copy of the form shall accompany the lot to the exempt outlet specified on the form. Any lot of any commodity offered for inspection and, all or a portion thereof, subsequently imported as exempt under this provision shall also be reported on an SC-6 form. Such form (electronic or paper) shall be provided to the Market Development Division in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. The applicable commodities are:

(1) Avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes) and table grapes for consumption by charitable institutions or distribution by relief agencies;

(2) Avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes for processing;

(3) Olives for processing into oil;

(4) Grapefruit for animal feed; or

(5) Avocados for seed.

(b) Certification of exempt use. (1) Each importer of an exempt commodity as specified in paragraph (a) of this section shall certify on the SC-6 form (electronic or paper) as to the intended exempt outlet (e.g., processing, charity, livestock feed). If certification is made using a paper SC-6 form, the importer shall provide a handwritten signature on the form.

(2) Each receiver of an exempt commodity as specified in paragraph (a) of this section shall also receive a copy of the associated SC-6 form (electronic or paper) filed by the importer. Within two days of receipt of the exempt lot, the receiver shall certify on the form (electronic or paper) that such lot has been received and will be utilized in the exempt outlet as certified by the importer. If certification is made using a paper SC-6 form, the receiver shall provide a handwritten signature on the form.

(c) Disposition. It is the responsibility of the importer to notify the Market Development Division of any lot of exempt commodity rejected by a receiver, shipped to an alternative exempt receiver, exported, or otherwise destroyed. In such cases, a second SC-6 form must be filed by the importer, providing sufficient information to determine ultimate disposition of the exempt lot, and such disposition shall be so certified by the final receiver.

(d) Filing. All SC-6 forms and other correspondence regarding entry of exempt commodities must be submitted electronically, by mail, or by fax to the Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone (202) 720-2491; email [email protected]; or fax (202) 720-5698.

[88 FR 82233, Nov. 24, 2023]

(a) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture is hereby designated as the governmental inspection service for the purpose of certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of avocados, grapefruit, oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes that are imported into the United States. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also designated as a governmental inspection service for the purpose of certifying grade, size, quality and maturity of prune variety plums (fresh prunes) only. Inspection by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service or the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, with appropriate evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective services, applicable to the particular shipment of the specified fruit, is required on all imports. Inspection and certification by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service will be available upon application in accordance with the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification and Standards for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Products (7 CFR part 51). For further information about Federal or Federal-State inspection services, contact Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0240, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone (202) 720-5870; fax (202) 720-0393.

(b) Inspection certificates shall cover only the quantity of fruit that is being imported at a particular port of entry by a particular importer.

(c) The inspection performed, and certificates issued, by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Department governing the inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products (7 CFR part 51). The cost of any inspection and certification shall be borne by the applicant therefor.

(d) Each inspection certificate issued with respect to any of the specified fruits to be imported into the United States shall set forth among other things:

(1) The name and place of inspection;

(2) The name of the shipper, or applicant;

(3) The Customs entry number pertaining to the lot or shipment covered by the certificate;

(4) The commodity inspected;

(5) The quantity of the commodity covered by the certificate;

(6) The principal identifying marks on the container;

(7) The railroad car initials and number, the truck and the trailer license number, the name of the vessel, the name of the air carrier, or other identification of the shipment; and

(8) The following statement if the facts warrant: Meets U.S. import requirements under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended.

[48 FR 44459, Sept. 29, 1983, as amended at 56 FR 10504, Mar. 13, 1991; 61 FR 40958, Aug. 7, 1996; 68 FR 10347, Mar. 5, 2003; 74 FR 2808, Jan. 16, 2009; 85 FR 12994, Mar. 6, 2020]

(a) Definitions. (1) Canned ripe olives means olives in hermetically sealed containers and heat sterilized under pressure, of the two distinct types “ripe” and “green-ripe” as defined in the current U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Ripe Olives. The term does not include Spanish-style green olives.

(2) Spanish-style green olives means olives packed in brine and which have been fermented and cured, otherwise known as “green olives.”

(3) Variety group 1 means the following varieties and any mutations, sports, or other derivations of such varieties: Aghizi Shami, Amellau Ascolano, Ascolano dura, Azapa, Balady, Barouni, Carydolia, Cucco, Gigante di Cerignola, Gordale, Grosane, Jahlut, Polymorpha, Prunara, Ropades, Sevillano, St. Agostino, Tafahi, and Touffahi.

(4) Variety group 2 means the following varieties and any mutations, sports, or other derivations of such varieties: Manzanillo, Mission, Nevadillo, Obliza, and Redding Picholine.

(5) USDA Inspector means an inspector of the Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, or any other duly authorized employee of the Department.

(6) Importation means release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

(7) Limited use means the use of processed olives in the production of packaged olives of the halved, segmented (wedged), sliced, or chopped styles, as defined in said standards.

(8) Terms used in this section shall have the same meaning as are given to the respective terms in the current U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Ripe Olives (7 Cspan part 52) including the terms size, character, defects and ripe type: Provided, That the definition of broken pitted olives is as follows: “Broken pitted olives” consist of large pieces that may have been broken in pitting but have not been sliced or cut.

(b) The importation into the United States of any canned ripe olives is prohibited unless such olives are inspected and meet the following applicable requirements: Provided, That olives imported in bulk form and used in the production of any canned ripe olives are subject to such applicable requirements and the additional requirements in paragraph (b)(12) of this section.

(1) Minimum quality requirements. Canned ripe olives shall meet the following quality requirements, except that no requirements shall be applicable with respect to color and blemishes for canned green ripe olives:

(i) Canned whole and pitted olives of the ripe type shall meet the minimum quality requirements prescribed in table 1 of this section;

(ii) Canned sliced, segmented (wedged), and halved olives of the ripe type shall meet the minimum quality requirements prescribed in table 2 of this section;

(iii) Canned chopped olives of the ripe type shall meet the minimum quality requirements prescribed in table 3 of this section and shall be practically free from identifiable units of pit caps, end slices, and slices (“practically free from identifiable units” means that not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the unit of chopped style olives may be identifiable pit caps, end slices, or slices); and

(iv) Canned broken pitted olives of the ripe type shall meet the minimum quality requirements prescribed in table 4 of this section, Provided, That broken pitted olives consist of large pieces that may have been broken in pitting but have not been sliced or cut.

(v) A lot of canned ripe olives is considered to meet the requirements of this section if all or most of the sample units meet the requirements specified in tables 1 through 4 of this section: Provided, That the number of sample units which do not meet the requirements specified in tables 1 through 4 of this section does not exceed the acceptance number prescribed for in the sample size provided in table I of 7 Cspan 52.38: Provided further, That there is no off flavor in any sample unit.

(2) Canned whole ripe olives of Variety Group 1, except the Ascolano, Barouni, and St. Agostino varieties, shall be of such a size that not more than 25 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/75 pound (6.0 grams) each, except that not more than 10 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/82 pound (5.5 grams) each;

(3) Canned whole ripe Variety Group 1 olives, of the Ascolano, Barouni, and St. Agostino varieties, shall be of such size that not more than 25 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/105 pound (4.3 grams) each except that not more than 10 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/116 pound (3.9 grams) each;

(4) Canned whole ripe olives of Variety Group 2, except the Obliza variety, shall be of such a size that not more than 35 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/140 pound (3.2 grams) each except that not more than 7 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/160 pound (2.8 grams) each;

(5) Canned whole ripe Variety Group 2 olives, of the Obliza variety, shall be of such a size that not more than 35 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/127 pound (3.5 grams) each except that not more than 7 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/135 pound (3.3 grams) each;

(6) Canned whole ripe olives not identifiable as to variety or variety group shall be of such a size that not more than 35 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/140 pound (3.2 grams) each except that not more than 7 percent, by count, of the olives may weigh less than 1/160 pound (2.8 grams) each;

(7) Canned pitted ripe olives of Variety Group 1, except the Ascolano, Barouni, and St. Agostino varieties, shall be at least “Extra Large” as defined in § 52.3754 of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Ripe Olives.

(8) Canned pitted ripe Variety Group 1 olives of the Ascolano, Barouni, and St. Agostino varieties shall be at least “Large” as defined in § 52.3754 of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Ripe Olives.

(9) Canned pitted ripe olives of Variety Group 2, except the Obliza variety, shall be at least “Small” as defined in § 52.3754 of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Ripe Olives.

(10) Canned pitted ripe Variety Group 2 olives of the Obliza variety shall be at least “Medium” as defined in § 52.3754 of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Ripe Olives.

(11) Canned pitted ripe olives not identifiable as to variety or variety group shall be at least “Small” as defined in § 52.3754 of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Ripe Olives.

(12) Imported bulk olives when used in the production of canned ripe olives must be inspected and certified as prescribed in this section. Imported bulk olives which do not meet the applicable minimum size requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(11) of this section may be imported after August 1, 1996, for limited use, but any such olives so used shall not be smaller than the following applicable minimum size:

(i) Whole ripe olives of Variety Group 1, except Ascolano, Barouni, or St. Agostino varieties, of a size that not more than 35 percent of the olives, by count, may be smaller than 1/105 pound (4.3 grams) each.

(ii) Whole ripe olives of Variety Group 1 of the Ascolano, Barouni, or St. Agostino varieties, of a size that not more than 35 percent of the olives, by count, may be smaller than 1/180 pound (2.5 grams) each.

(iii) Whole ripe olives of Variety Group 2, except the Obliza variety, of a size that not more than 35 percent of the olives, by count, may be smaller than 1/205 pound (2.2 grams) each.

(iv) Whole ripe olives of Variety Group 2 of the Obliza variety of a size that not more than 35 percent of the olives, by count, may be smaller than 1/180 pound (2.5 grams) each.

(v) Whole ripe olives not identifiable as to variety or variety group of a size that not more than 35 percent of olives, by count, may be smaller than 1/205 pound (2.2 grams) each.

(c) The Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is hereby designated as the governmental inspection service for the purpose of certifying the grade and size of processed olives from imported bulk lots for use in canned ripe olives and the grade and size of imported canned ripe olives. Inspection by said inspection service with appropriate evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the service and applicable to the particular lot of olives, is required. With respect to imported bulk olives, inspection and certification shall be completed prior to use as packaged ripe olives. With respect to canned ripe olives, inspection and certification shall be completed prior to importation, unless imports arrive by vessel in which case the date of inspection and certification may be after the date of importation. Any lot of olives which fails to meet the import requirements and is not being imported for purposes of contribution to a charitable organization or processing into oil may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, with the cost of certifying the disposal borne by the importer. Such inspection and certification services will be available, upon application, in accordance with the applicable regulations governing the inspection and certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food Products (7 Cspan part 52). For questions about inspection services or for further assistance, contact: Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1536-S, STOP 0240, Washington, DC 20250-0237; telephone (202) 720-5870; fax (202) 720-0393.

(d) Inspection certificates shall cover only (1) the quantity of canned ripe olives that is being imported at a particular port of entry by a particular importer or (2) the quantity of canned ripe olives processed from a lot or sublot of imported bulk olives.

(e) Inspection shall be performed by USDA inspectors in accordance with said regulations governing the inspection and certification of processed fruits and vegetables and related products (part 52 of this title). The cost of each such inspection and related certification shall be borne by the applicant therefore. Applicants shall provide USDA inspectors with the entry number and such other identifying information for each lot as the inspector may request.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this regulation, any importation of canned ripe olives or olives imported in bulk for use in the production of canned ripe olives which, in the aggregate, does not exceed 100 pounds drained weight may be imported without regard to the requirements of this section.

(g) It is hereby determined, on the basis of the information currently available, that the minimum quality requirements and size requirements set forth in this part are comparable to those applicable to California canned ripe olives.

(h) No provisions of this section shall supersede the restrictions or prohibitions on canned ripe olives under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or any other applicable laws or regulations or the need to comply with applicable food and sanitary regulations of city, county, State, or Federal agencies.

(i) Each inspection certificate issued with respect to canned ripe olives to be imported into the United States and canned ripe olives processed from a lot or sublot of imported bulk olives shall set forth among other things:

(1) The date and place of inspection;

(2) The name of the shipper or applicant;

(3) The Customs entry number pertaining to the lot or shipment covered by the certificate;

(4) The commodity inspected;

(5) The quantity of the commodity covered by the certificate;

(6) The principal identifying marks on the container;

(7) The railroad car initials and number, the truck and the trailer license number, the name of the vessel, or other identification of the shipment;

(8) The Consumption Entry Number for Canned Ripe Olives; and

(9) The following statement if the facts warrant: Meets the U.S. import requirements under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended.

(j) The minimum quality, size, and maturity requirements of this section shall not be applicable to olives imported for charitable organizations or processing for oil, but shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350.

[47 span 51349, Nov. 15, 1982] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 944.401, see the List of Cspan Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

(a)(1) Pursuant to section 8e of the Act and Part 944—Fruits, Import Regulations, and except as provided in paragraphs (a)(1)(iii) and (iv) of this section, the importation into the United States of any variety of Vinifera species table grapes, except Emperor, Calmeria, Almeria, and Ribier varieties, is prohibited unless such grapes meet the minimum grade and size requirements established in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section.

(i) U.S. No. 1 Table, as set forth in the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type 7 CFR 51.880 through 51.914), with the exception of the tolerance percentage for bunch size when packed in individual consumer clamshell packages weighing 5 pounds or less: not more than 20 percent of the weight of such containers may consist of single clusters weighing less than one-quarter pound, but with at least five berries each; or

(ii) U.S. No. 1 Institutional, with the exception of the tolerance percentage for bunch size. Such tolerance shall be 33 percent instead of 4 percent as is required to meet U.S. No. 1 Institutional grade. Grapes meeting these quality requirements may be marked “DGAC No. 1 Institutional” but shall not be marked “Institutional Pack.”

(iii) Grapes of the Perlette variety shall meet the minimum berry size requirement of ten-sixteenths of an inch, and

(iv) Grapes of the Flame Seedless variety shall meet the minimum berry size requirement of ten-sixteenths of an inch (1.5875 centimeters) and shall be considered mature if the juice meets or exceeds 16.5 percent soluble solids, or the juice contains not less than 15 percent soluble solids and the soluble solids are equal to or in excess of 20 parts to every part acid contained in the juice, in accordance with applicable sampling and testing procedures specified in sections 1436.3, 1436.5, 1436.6, 1436.7, 1436.12, and 1436.17 of Article 25 of Title 3: California Code of Regulations (CCR).

(2) Such minimum maturity standards are incorporated by reference, copies of which are available from Ronald L. Cioffi, Chief, Marketing Order Administration Branch, F&V, AMS, USDA, Washington, DC 20090-6456, telephone (202) 720-2491. They are also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register. These materials are incorporated as they exist on the date of approval and a notice of any change in these materials will be published in the Federal Register.

(3) All regulated varieties of grapes offered for importation shall be subject to the grape import requirements contained in this section effective April 10 through July 10.

(b) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, F&V, AMS, USDA, is designated as the governmental inspection service for certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of table grapes that are imported into the United States. Inspection by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective service, applicable to the particular shipment of table grapes, is required on all imports. The inspection and certification services will be available upon application in accordance with the rules and regulations governing inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products (7 CFR part 51) and in accordance with the Procedure for Requesting Inspection and designating the Agencies to Perform Requested Inspection and Certification (7 CFR 944.400).

(c) The term importation means release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

(d) Any lot or portion thereof which fails to meet the import requirements, and is not being imported for purposes of processing or donation to charitable organizations, prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of said lot borne by the importer.

(e) The grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements of this section shall not be applicable to grapes imported for processing or donation to charitable organizations, but shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350.

[51 FR 12502, Apr. 11, 1986] Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 944.503, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

(a) Pursuant to section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended, the importation into the United States of any kiwifruit is prohibited unless such kiwifruit meets all the requirements of a U.S. No. 1 grade as defined in the United States Standards for Grades of Kiwifruit (7 CFR 51.2335 through 51.2340), except that the kiwifruit shall be “not badly misshapen,” and an additional tolerance of 16 percent is provided for kiwifruit that is “badly misshapen,” and except that such kiwifruit shall have a minimum of 6.2 percent soluble solids. Such fruit, except for varieties of the Actinidia chinensis species, shall be at least Size 45, which means there shall be a maximum of 55 pieces of fruit in an 8-pound sample. Varieties of the Actinidia chinensis species shall be at least Size 49, which means there shall be a maximum of 64 pieces of fruit in an 8-pound sample. The average weight of all samples in a specific lot must weigh at least 8 pounds (3.632 kilograms), provided that no individual sample may be less than 7 pounds 12 ounces (3.472 kilograms).

(b) The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, is designated as the governmental inspection service for certifying the quality and size of kiwifruit imported into the United States. Inspection by the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with evidence thereof in the form of an official inspection certificate, issued by the respective service, applicable to a particular shipment of kiwifruit, is required on all imports. The inspection and certification services will be available upon application in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products (7 CFR part 51) and in accordance with the procedure for requesting inspection and designating the agencies to perform required inspection and certification (7 CFR 944.400).

(c) The term importation means release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The term commercial processing into products means that the kiwifruit is physically altered in form or chemical composition through freezing, canning, dehydrating, pulping, juicing, or heating of the product. The act of slicing, dicing, or peeling shall not be considered commercial processing into products.

(d) Any lot or portion thereof which fails to meet the import requirements and is not being imported for purposes of consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, or commercial processing into products may be reconditioned or exported. Any failed lot which is not reconditioned or exported shall be disposed of under supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of said lot borne by the importer.

(e) Any person may import up to 200 pounds of kiwifruit in any one shipment exempt from the requirements of this section.

(f) The grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements of this section shall not be applicable to kiwifruit imported for consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, or commercial processing into products, but shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350.

[56 FR 10504, Mar. 13, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 42688, Sept. 16, 1992; 58 FR 69186, Dec. 30, 1993; 59 FR 45620, Sept. 2, 1994; 61 FR 13059, Mar. 26, 1996; 65 FR 54948, Sept. 12, 2000; 78 FR 43760, July 22, 2013; 88 FR 5724, Jan. 30, 2023; 88 FR 82233, Nov. 24, 2023]

(a) Pursuant to section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended, the importation into the United States of any fresh prunes, other than the Brooks variety, during the period July 15 through September 30 of each year is prohibited unless such fresh prunes meet the following requirements:

(1) Such fresh prunes grade at least U.S. No. 1, except that at least two-thirds of the surface of the fresh prune is required to be purplish in color, and such fresh prunes measure not less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter as measured by a rigid ring: Provided, That the following tolerances, by count, of the fresh prunes in any lot shall apply in lieu of the tolerance for defects provided in the United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Plums and Prunes (7 Cspan 51.1520 through 51.1538): A total of not more than 15 percent for defects, including therein not more than the following percentage for the defect listed:

(i) 10 percent for fresh prunes which fail to meet the color requirement;

(ii) 10 percent for fresh prunes which fail to meet the minimum diameter requirement;

(iii) 10 percent for fresh prunes which fail to meet the remaining requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including in the latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay.

(2) [Reserved]

(b) The importation of any individual shipment which, in the aggregate, does not exceed 500 pounds net weight, of fresh prunes of the Stanley or Merton varieties, or 350 pounds net weight, of fresh prunes of any variety other than the Stanley or Merton varieties, is exempt from the requirements specified in this section.

(c) The grade, size and quality requirements of this section shall not be applicable to fresh prunes imported for consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, or commercial processing into products, but such prunes shall be subject to the safeguard provisions in § 944.350.

(d) The term U.S. No. 1 shall have the same meaning as when used in the United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Plums and Prunes (7 Cspan 51.1520 through 51.1538); the term purplish color shall have the same meaning as when used in the Washington State Department of Agriculture Standards for Italian Prunes (April 28, 1978), and the Oregon State Department of Agriculture Standards for Italian Prunes (October 5, 1977); the term diameter means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a line from the stem to the blossom end of the fruit.

(e) The term Prunes means all varieties of plums, classified botanically as Prunus domestica, except those of the President variety.

(f) The term importation means release from custody of the United States Customs Service.

(g) Inspection and certification service is required for imports and will be available in accordance with the regulation designating inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification (7 Cspan 944.400).

(h) Any lot or portion thereof which fails to meet the import requirements, and is not being imported for purposes of consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, or commercial processing into products, prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of such fresh prunes borne by the importer.

(i) It is determined that fresh prunes imported into the United States shall meet the same minimum grade, size and quality requirements as those established for fresh prunes under Marketing Order No. 924 (7 Cspan part 924).

[61 span 40959, Aug. 7, 1996] Effective Date Note:At 71 span 26821, May 9, 2006, § 944.700 was suspended indefinitely, effective May 10, 2006.