Indian Mango Exporters Hit by ₹4.2 Crore Loss After US Turns Back Shipments on Technical Grounds
Due to mangoes' perishability and the high cost of return shipping, all exporters impacted by this situation chose to discard the fruit inside the United States.
Indian Mango Exporters Hit by ₹4.2 Crore Loss After US Turns Back Shipments on Technical Grounds
US trade department at major entry points including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta airports rejected at least 15 Indian mango shipments because of documentation irregularities in a blow to India’s agricultural exports. Exporters could choose to mango loss or pay the high cost of returning them to India.
India relies heavily on the United States as the main market for mango cost exports so any disruption here significantly harms the trade of horticultural products between both nations.
Mango shipment irradiation was conducted, say exporters
The mangoes received mandatory irradiation at a USDA-approved Navi Mumbai facility on May 8 and 9. The treatment method using controlled radiation doses remains vital for pest elimination and meeting US import standards.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discovered errors in the required paperwork which included mistakes on the PPQ203 certification form needed for entry. A USDA notice stated that the consignment rejection happened because of an incorrectly issued PPQ203 form and required the exporter to either re- mango export the shipment or destroy it.
Who bears responsibility for the shipment's rejection?
Exporters claim that administrative errors at the irradiation facility cause shipment issues instead of problems on their end while the facility works under the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) and receive supervision from a USDA officer. One exporter whose shipment was held at Los Angeles airport between May 9-11 questioned the rejection: The USDA officer does not provide the PPQ203 until after the treatment process has been completed. How were we able to ship if the treatment wasn't performed correctly?
Authorities remain silent about the status of rejected mango shipments.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which operates under India’s commerce ministry, recognized the problem but directed inquirers to the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) because the situation was within their jurisdiction.
