Forced to destroy! US rejects 15 mango shipments from India, exporters estimate losses of $500,000
US authorities have rejected no fewer than 15 mango shipments from India at various airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, due to documentation irregularities.The exporters faced the choice of either destroying the fruit in the US or sending it back to India. Given the perishable nature ofmangoes and the substantial costs involved in return shipping, all exporters opted to dispose of the mango shipments locally.The United States represents India’s primary export destination for mangoes, making these incidents particularly significant for the trade relationship.Considering mangoes are perishable and the substantial expenses linked to destruction or re-exportation, traders anticipate losses of around $500,000.The mangoes had undergone the required irradiation process in Mumbai on May 8 and 9. However, according to an ET report US officials found inconsistencies in the documentation related to this mandatory treatment, which involves exposing the fruit to controlled radiation doses to eliminate pests and prolong shelf life. The issue stemmed from administrative errors in the pest-control documentation rather than actual pest presence, the report said.
Mango Shipments to US rejected
A USDA communication to an affected exporter indicated that US Customs and Border Protection refused entry “due to incorrectly issued PPQ203.” The notice specified that the shipment “must be re-exported or destroyed,” whilst clarifying that the US government would not bear costs for “remedial measures for this shipment.”The irradiation procedure takes place at a facility situated in Navi Mumbai, overseen by a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) representative. This official is tasked with validating the PPQ203 form, which is essential for mango exports to the US. “We are being penalised for mistakes made at the irradiation facility,” an exporter said.Also Read | Why India can be a big winner of Donald Trump 2.0 era if it plays its cards rightAnother exporter, whose consignment was detained at Los Angeles airport during May 9-11, before receiving destruction orders, was notified that the shipment failed to satisfy the “entry requirement,” specifically regarding the mandatory irradiation treatment.The exporter firmly denied the allegation, asserting that the irradiation procedure was completed and the PPQ203 form was issued following the treatment. “How can we receive the form if the treatment was never done? And without that form, issued by none other than the USDA officer, the mangoes couldn’t even have been cleared for loading at Mumbai airport,” he said.When asked about the specifics of the case, including the quantity of affected mangoes and documentation discrepancies, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Authority (APEDA) chairman’s office responded, “The matter pertains to the shipment of mangoes from USDA approved facility, Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) located at Vashi, Mumbai. Hence inputs may be sought from them.” APEDA operates under the ministry of commerce and industry. MSAMB did not provide any response to the email enquiry.Also Read | Donald Trump says India has offered a trade deal with ‘literally no tariffs’
