Fifteen mango shipments from India were denied entry into the United States at airports including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta. The reason cited was documentation irregularities related to mandatory irradiation treatment, a process essential for mango imports into the US to eliminate pests.
Exporters Forced to Destroy Shipments
Due to the high costs of returning perishable fruit to India, exporters chose to dispose of the mangoes locally in the US. This has resulted in estimated losses of around $500,000 for Indian exporters. The US is India’s largest market for mango exports, amplifying the impact of the incident.
Irradiation Was Done, But Paperwork Was Faulty
The affected mangoes were reportedly treated at an irradiation facility in Navi Mumbai on May 8 and 9 under the supervision of a USDA official. However, US authorities rejected the shipments over discrepancies in the issuance of PPQ203 — a crucial form confirming the treatment. Exporters claim the form was issued only after treatment, and allege the errors stemmed from the irradiation facility, not from their end.
USDA Communication Confirms Rejection
In official communications, US Customs and Border Protection stated that the shipments were denied entry “due to incorrectly issued PPQ203,” instructing exporters to either destroy or re-export the shipments. The US government clarified it would not bear the cost of any remedial action.
No Response From Maharashtra Facility
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) indicated the issue involves a USDA-approved facility operated by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) in Vashi, Mumbai. MSAMB has yet to respond to queries regarding the documentation errors.
Trade Implications Amid Ongoing Deal Talks
The incident occurs as India and the US move toward finalizing a trade agreement. US President Donald Trump recently stated that India has offered a deal with “literally no tariffs.” The first phase of this trade pact is expected to be completed in the near future.
