Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS #42457318 - Important Information about APHIS Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Import Permits

APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine is excited to announce that, beginning this fall, importers will be able to apply for and receive fresh fruit and vegetable import permits through eFile, APHIS’ new online permitting system. eFile will offer a simple and easy way to apply for and receive your fresh fruit and vegetable import permits, in many cases, within the same day! Until then, APHIS will continue issuing fresh fruit and vegetable import permits through ePermits.

To help transition from ePermits to eFile, all fresh fruit and vegetable import permits issued from ePermits after June 1, 2020 will be valid for one year only. This will allow us to gradually phase out the ePermits system for fresh fruit and vegetable import permits. Unfortunately, we are unable to transfer active permits from one system to the other.

Once we transition to eFile, stakeholders will be able to renew existing fresh fruit and vegetable import permits or request new ones in eFile. All fresh fruit and vegetable import permits issued from eFile will be valid for 3 years. 

We greatly appreciate your patience as we transition to our new permitting system. If you have any questions, please send an email to plantproducts.permits@usda.gov.