April 23, 2020 – USDA’s Animal and Plant health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that beginning in the fall of 2020 importers will be able to apply online using APHIS’ new eFile permitting system to obtain permits for importing fresh fruit and vegetables. It is quick and easy, with some permits issued the same day.
Currently APHIS issues fresh fruit and vegetable permits using ePermits. APHIS notes that they are not able to transfer active permits between the two systems, so due to the phasing out of ePermits, all new permits issued in ePermits after June 1, 2020 will only be valid for a one-year period.
New permits or extensions, issued in eFile, will be valid for three years.
APHIS related questions may be directed to plantproducts.permits@usda.gov.
Please contact your Livingston account manager or our U.S. Regulatory Affairs group at usregaffairs@livingstonintl.com with general questions on this news article.