Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

2. What services does it provide?

• Inspection
• Fumigation
• Certification
• Supervision of produce packing into Air / Sea Containers

4. What are the benefits of the program to the exporter?

• (a) Improves the integrity of Agricultural exports from Jamaica.
• (b) Improves quality of produce when it gets abroad, due to reduced handling.
• (c) Rejection of produce is at port of export so reconditioning for sale to local market is an option.
• (d) Due to (c ), no freight or destruction costs are applied to the exporter.

SPECIFIC PLANT QUESTIONS

1. Is Ackee enterable into the United States?

• a) Yes it is, however it must be canned.
• b) The canning facilities which have been FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Approved are as follows:
  
  1. Ashman Food Products Limited
     Lot 434 Vineyard Crescent,
     Bushy Park P.O.,
     St. Catherine,
     Jamaica, W.I.
     FEI# 3002984792
     
  2. Canco Limited
     Seaforth, St. Thomas
     Jamaica, W.I.
     FEI# 3002793762
     
  3. Tijule Company Ltd.
     30 Paisley Avenue
     Palmers Cross
     Clarendon,
     Jamaica, W.I.
     FEI# 3002369845
     
  4. West Best Foods Ltd.
     P. O. Box 28,
     Darliston, Westmoreland
     Jamaica W.I.
     FEI# 3003145183
     
  5. Southern Fruits and
     Food Processors Ltd.
     Bull Savannah P.O.
     St. Elizabeth
     Jamaica W.I.
     FEI# 3003311226
     
  6. Island Packers Ltd.
     C. S. Dick Drive
     Lionel Town
     Clarendon
     Jamaica W.I.
     FEI# 3003882440

2. Are mangoes allowed into the U.S?
No, they are not. This is because Jamaica does not have a Hot Water Treatment Facility which is a safeguarding measure for the export of mangoes into the U.S.

3. Is sorrel allowed into the U.S.?
Yes, it is. It may need to be fumigated as a precautionary measure. This service is provided by the USDA-APHIS Preclearance Program. (Contact numbers listed above)

4. Is jerk pork allowed into the U.S.?
No, it is not.

5. Which plants are enterable into the U.S.?
Some plants are enterable (call for information). Those that are, must have a phytosanitary certificate accompanying them. This can be had from the Agricultural Export Complex nearest you.

IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS

• Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture (Plant Quarantine) - (876)977-6401; (876)977-0637; (876)924-8906
• Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture (Veterinary Services) - (876)977-2492; (876)977-2489; (876)927-0924

COMMONLY INTERCEPTED PESTS

Those pests that, if allowed to enter the U.S. market could damage U.S. agriculture are referred to as actionable. Some of these actionable pests and their hosts are as follows:

• Dysmicoccus brevipes Mealybug - pest of Jackfruits/Dasheen/Pumpkin
• Costicollis paleopus (Yam Weevil) - pest of Yam
• Contarinia sp. (Gall Midge) - pest of Pepper
• Artipus sp. (Thyme bug) - pest of Thyme