CBP Updates List of Fruits/Vegetables Eligible for NARP (Celery from Mexico Temporarily Suspended)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site an updated list of fresh fruit and vegetable commodities from specific countries that meet the requirements for inclusion in the National Agriculture Release Program (NARP).
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(CBP lists fresh fruit and vegetable commodities from specific countries that meet the requirements for inclusion in NARP. The eligible country for many of the listed fresh fruits and vegetables is Mexico (but Belize, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Honduras are also listed for certain fresh fruit or vegetables).
CBP also lists the frozen or semi-processed fruits and vegetables that are currently approved for NARP. CBP states that examinations will be conducted to verify that the commodity is frozen or is semi-processed, and to determine the presence of contaminants. (Some of the listed frozen or semi-processed fruits and vegetables are eligible from all countries.))
Celery from Mexico Temporarily Suspended from NARP
CBP's updated list reflects the temporary suspension of celery (Apium sp.) from Mexico from NARP.
The Trade May Request That a Commodity be Added to the NARP List
CBP has previously stated that the trade may request that a commodity be included in the NARP program.
Requests must be made in writing and sent to the local CBP Port Director. The commodity request must include the country of origin, common and scientific name(s) of the fresh, frozen, processed fruit(s) and vegetable(s). CBP Headquarters and USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) must approve the request.
(CBP has previously noted that animal products are generally not eligible for NARP.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/10/07 news, 07011005, for BP summary announcing the implementation of NARP and the list of eligible fruits and vegetables.)
CBP list of eligible fruits and vegetables (posted 04/02/07), NARP FAQ document (dated 01/08/07), and NARP implementation announcement available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/cargo_summary/narp/
BP Note
CBP has previously stated that NARP replaced the Border Cargo Release Program (BCR), whose purpose was to inspect high volume/low risk agricultural cargo from Mexico at a reduced rate. NARP expands the BCR nationally to include specific agriculture commodities - fresh, frozen, processed or semi-processed fruits and/or vegetables - from specific countries, that are considered low risk and that are imported commercially in large volume.
Eligible commercial shipments must contain only a single eligible commodity or mixed eligible commodities in order to be expedited using this program. Shipments in which non-NARP commodities are commingled with NARP commodities are not eligible for the program.
CBP has also previously stated that eligible commercial shipments are inspected at reduced rates based on risk, biological and statistical principles, and systematic sampling to accurately measure pest risk. NARP will allow CBP to expedite trade and adjust to rapidly changing risk profiles without compromising U.S. agriculture.