USDA issues tomato import requirements reminder

July 23, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reminding stakeholders of the mandatory import requirements for certain tomatoes from Mexico under Section 608e (8e) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (AMAA).

What This Means for Importers:

• Import shipments of fresh market round tomatoes from Mexico must meet applicable U.S. grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements outlined in 7 Code of Federal Regulations §980.212 during the regulatory period of October 10 through June 15.
• Inspection requirements apply to shipments exceeding 60lbs and not classified as cherry, pear-type (Roma), greenhouse-grown, hydroponic, experimental, or for processing/relief/charity, or any other exempt use purpose.

Importers are reminded that failure to comply with import requirements may result in product detainment, rejection, or enforcement action. Inspections must be conducted by USDA-certified inspectors prior to product release into U.S. commerce when applicable.

For questions related to Section 8e import requirements, please contact the AMS Specialty Crops Program Compliance and Enforcement Branch at 1-888-551-3523, complianceinfo@usda.gov, or 8eimports@usda.gov. Information is also available on the Section 8e webpage of the AMS website.

To schedule an inspection, please contact the AMS Specialty Crops Program Inspection Division at 202-720-5870, SCIInspectionOperations@usda.gov, or contact your local inspection office directly.