The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing guidance to importers of agricultural shipments bound for the Baltimore seaport following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. At this time, cargo operations remain suspended at the Baltimore seaport.
Importers of agricultural shipments bound for the Baltimore seaport should follow this guidance:
- Effective immediately, plant and plant products, including permits issued for the consignments of plant and plant products to the Baltimore seaport, will be allowed to arrive at all North Atlantic ports of entry (including Norfolk/Newport News, VA) for APHIS/ U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection and/or clearance. While most of the permitted plant materials are already authorized to enter through various ports staffed with CBP Agriculture Specialists and APHIS plant inspection stations, importers who need assistance should call APHIS' Plant Protection and Quarantine program at 301- 851-2046.
- Effective immediately, APHIS Veterinary Services' (VS) animal product and animal by-product permits issued for the consignment of shipments to the Baltimore seaport will be allowed to arrive at all North Atlantic ports of entry for APHIS/CBP inspection and clearance. Impacted permits will not be amended at this time. Importers who have any questions should call VS at 301- 851-3300, or send an email to [email protected].
Source: aphis.usda.gov