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Mushrooms and truffles are flavorful ingredients found in many popular dishes in the U.S. They can be found in a variety of different settings from greasy fast food joints to upscale dining rooms. If you’re looking to import these versatile goods, there are some important details you need to know.
Importing mushrooms and truffles to the U.S. comes with some challenges. Classifying mushrooms or truffles with the correct HTS code is one of the biggest hurdles. Additionally, mushrooms are regulated by the FDA, and in some cases the USDA as well. Importers must adhere to these regulations.
Before embarking on the journey to import mushrooms or truffles to the U.S., it’s wise to consult with a Licensed Customs Broker. Our team of licensed brokers have the knowledge and experience to ensure that your mushrooms or truffles arrive safely in the U.S. We can guide you through the entire process to help you import on your own or handle everything for you. Either way, we serve as your go-to partner for all of your importing needs.
Our food import specialists can evaluate your situation to ensure your mushroom import is secure.
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Our comprehensive guide below provides you with everything you need to know to successfully import mushrooms and truffles to the U.S.
Importing mushrooms to the U.S. as a plant means it will be subject to APHIS guidelines and will require submission of APHIS PPQ Form 526. This permit is designed to provide advance notice to APHIS and provide as much detail as possible regarding the shipment. If the plant is being transported within the States, a PPQ 526 permit will still be required – even if the fungi product grows within the recipient State.
Importing mushrooms to the U.S. that are intended for resale and public consumption will be subject to FDA requirements and inspection. Due to a public health security act from 2002, the FDA must receive prior notification of all food imports, including fungi, for public consumption. This advanced notice of import food allows the FDA and CBP to guard against disruptions to the nation's food supply and prevent threats or emergencies.
The FDA ensures the nation's food supply safety by identifying potential threats due to food contamination before they occur. Prior notice for imported food, including animal feed, must be accompanied by all FDA required information. The deadline for submitting prior notice varies based on the mode of transportation. In addition to prior notice for certain food items, standard customs requirements and documentation are required.
Our food import specialists can evaluate your situation to ensure your mushroom import is secure.
Get help today.
When an item is imported into the country, an import duty is levied by CBP. Different duties are applied to different items from other countries. In most cases, customs fees are applied to items in addition to import duty and tariffs. Import duties are calculated by the specific HTS code that’s applied to products.
In relation to mushrooms and truffles, there are a number of factors that determine the HTS code, and ultimately the import duties.
These factors include:
However, the process for calculating the import duty on mushrooms and truffles differs depending on a range of factors. The cost of bringing these items into the country will be primarily calculated according to the shipment's weight and the overall value of the shipment. In many cases, a combination of these metrics will be used to ascertain the import duty.
With such a complex process revolving the import duty for mushrooms and truffles, it’s best to rely on the expertise of a Licensed Customs Broker. We ensure that your products are properly classified so that the correct import duty is applied.
As mentioned above, one of the biggest challenges in importing mushrooms and truffles is applying the correct HTS Code. In addition to applying the correct HTS code, FDA and USDA regulations are strict. Mistakes in either of these areas can cause delays are other issues during importing.
Over 15 different HTS codes exist that can be applied to mushrooms and truffles in various forms. These products can be preserved in different states, and if the correct HTS code for that particular state is not applied, it can lead to problems in the shipping process. There may need to be additional inspections made at the time of import, leading to delays and other potential issues. With mushrooms and truffles, in particular, it can be challenging to match the HTS code with the exact form of a product.
To learn more about finding the right code for your product, check out our HTS Code article.
Furthermore, the FDA and USDA have strict protocols when it comes to importing mushrooms and truffles. Their guidelines for canned, dried, and organic mushrooms must be adhered to safeguard the public from contamination and illness. There are many procedures to follow and paperwork to submit to the administration. Any errors can lead to delays and further costs.
Another food delicacy, saffron, faces many similar strict importing requirements. To learn about this process, read our guide on importing saffron to the U.S.
Working with a customs broker to import mushrooms into the U.S. is a wise move. Due to stringent rules and regulations around the importation of mushrooms and truffles, you could be in line for fines and higher import duty if your products are not shipped correctly. Partnering with an experienced and knowledgeable customs broker removes this possibility.
A customs broker will work with you from the start to ensure your shipment is verified and adheres to the FDA's strict regulations. This means reviewing your shipment to check it is ready for shipping and is labeled with the correct HTS codes. Your customs broker can verify and arrange the paperwork and ensure it’s submitted on time.
One of the biggest benefits of working with our customs brokers is our ability to obtain a tariff classification ruling for you. This is an official ruling from CBP that confirms the HTS code of your product before it’s imported. Getting this ruling is extremely valuable as it eliminates any possibility that your product is incorrectly classified. Additionally, the ruling also lays out specific regulations that will apply to your product removing any doubt as to what’s required.
Our licensed customs brokers are ready to handle all of your importing needs. We offer a full range of customs brokerage services designed to make importing simple and easy. You won’t need to worry if your shipment will encounter any issues at the border when you work with our team. In addition to our customs brokerage support, we also assist with your entire supply chain.
Thanks to our partnership with R+L Global Logistics, we also offer the following logistics services:
Our approach to the whole supply chain allows us to be your one-stop shop for all of transportation and logistics needs.
Request a customs brokerage quote or schedule your import consulting session today. Our experts are ready to help you.
Our food import specialists can evaluate your situation to ensure your mushroom import is secure.
Get help today.
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Looking to import truffles from France