Do Not Bring Citrus Fruit Into US From Canada: Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) want importers and the traveling public to know that mandarin or “Christmas” oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and pomelo are banned from non-commercial import into the United States.

“Typically we see an influx of ‘Christmas oranges’ around the holiday season and when Canadian citizens travel to southern states for the winter,” CBP employee Daniel Escobedo said in a statement. “We just want to get the word out that these products are prohibited from being imported into the United States because of the unseen diseases and pests they may carry. Even citrus that was grown in the United States, but purchased in Canada, is prohibited from returning to the U.S., due to possible exposure to injurious diseases while in storage.”

Border authorities say citrus fruit may become infected with highly contagious diseases such as citrus canker, sweet orange scab, or citrus black spot merely by coming into contact with infected fruit in grocery store warehouses or by people carrying infection on their hands, clothing, or equipment.

Another disease, citrus greening, is transmitted by a tiny insect, the Asian citrus psyllid, which is no bigger than the head of a pin, according to a news release. While these diseases don’t make people sick, they have resulted in production declines, loss of income, and fruit-movement quarantines in Florida, Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Texas, officials said.

Minnesota shares seven border crossings with Canada, including Baudette, International Falls, and Grand Portage, Lancaster, Pinecreek, Roseau, and Warroad.

Fresh fruits and vegetables grown outside of the U.S. or Canada are usually banned. However, even some Canadian and U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables may not be brought into the U.S. by travelers.

Before bringing fruits, meats and dairy or poultry products into the country, you can check whether they are permitted on the CBP website.

Photo credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP