WEB DESK: US authorities have rejected at least 15 mango shipments at major entry points including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta.
The rejections stem from irregularities in shipping documentation, notably the PPQ203 certification required for import clearance.
Exporters faced a difficult choice: destroy the perishable mangoes within the United States or bear the costly expense of re-exporting them back to India. Due to the high costs and the perishable nature of mangoes, all affected exporters opted for destruction, incurring estimated losses of approximately $500,000 (around Rs 4.28 crore).
This development comes during the peak mango season, impacting the livelihoods of exporters and the bilateral trade relationship, as the US remains India’s most significant market for mango exports.
The mangoes had received mandatory irradiation treatment at a USDA-approved facility in Navi Mumbai on May 8 and 9, a critical step in pest elimination and compliance with US standards.
Despite this, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identified discrepancies in the paperwork, specifically issues with the PPQ203 form, which is vital for entry approval. A USDA notice informed one exporter that the consignment was rejected “due to incorrectly issued PPQ203” and must either be re-exported or destroyed. The US government clarified that it would not cover disposal costs, placing the financial burden on Indian exporters.
