OREANDA-NEWS. March 25, 2016. Customized Brokers has verified with the USDA that there is currently no change to import requirements on perishables coming into the U.S. from Chile. Just months after the country was declared fruit fly-free, three specimens of the pest have been found in the port city of Valparaiso.

The discovery led to a contingency plan, including fruit sampling and bait application around each detection point, along with additional control efforts in Conchal?, Quilicura and Iquique, by Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) all of which are aimed at curtailing spreading of the pest, and eventually eradication.

SAG noted that the increase in fruit fly detections was due to several factors, including presence of the pest in all neighboring countries, and confirmed increased interceptions of infested fruit in passenger baggage by border control.

Rest assured, that Customized Brokers will continue monitoring of this subject and will relay relevant information to our valued perishables shippers when deemed appropriate.