Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing that whole tomatoes and peppers imported from Canada are prohibited in personal baggage until further notice.
Effective June 21, CBP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture began prohibiting the entry of whole tomatoes and peppers in passenger bags and vehicles due to the fact that Canada imports peppers from countries known to have been affected by the False Codling Moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick).
Canada also imports tomatoes from countries known to have been affected by the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta. Both of these pests have the potential to cause severe economic damage to American agriculture.
Sliced tomatoes or peppers entering from Canada may be imported after CBP agriculture inspection. Whole peppers and tomatoes that were grown in the United States may be imported after CBP agriculture inspection. Stenciling or other proof of country of origin on the item or container is required for importation.
Commercial shipments must be accompanied by a certificate of origin which identifies the country of origin and the name of the greenhouse in which the products were grown.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.