INSPECTION REQUIRED: All grapes, except for exempt fruit, are required to be inspected and certified as meeting the following minimum grade, size, and maturity requirements prior to importation (release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection). This regulation is issued under section 8e (7 U.S.C. 608e-1) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674). Table Grape import requirements do not apply to the following varieties:

Almeria, Alphonse Lavelle, Barlinka, Bien Donne, Bonheur (Bonnoir), Calmeria, Christmas Rose, Dauphine, Emperor, Italia Pirovano (Blanca Italia), Kyojo, La Rochelle, Muscatel, Queen, Red Globe, Ribier, Rouge, Sonita, Tokay, and Waltham Cross.

Table Grapes imported into the United States must meet the following minimum grade and/or maturity requirements prior to importation (release from custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in accordance with § 944.31 (7 CFR Part 944). This table grape import regulation is issued under Section 8e (7 U.S.C. 608e-1) of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674).

All regulated table grapes of the vinifera species must meet these minimum grade, size, and maturity requirements from April 10 through July 10 each year.

At least U.S. No. 1 Table grade, or U.S. No. 1 Institutional, as set forth in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Table Grapes, or shall meet all the requirements of U.S. No. 1 Institutional with an additional tolerance percentage for bunch size. Such tolerance shall be 33 percent instead of 4 percent as is required to meet U.S. No 1 Institutional grade. Grapes meeting these quality requirements shall not be marked “Institutional Pack,” but may be marked “DGAC No. 1 Institutional.” In addition, U.S. No. 1 Table grade grapes may be packed in individual consumer packages containing 2 pounds net weight or less: Provided, That not more than 20 percent of the weight of such containers may consist of single clusters weighing less than one-quarter pound, but with at least five berries each.

Shall meet the grade and size requirements listed above, except that the minimum berry size shall be ten-sixteenths of an inch (1.59 cm).

Shall meet the grade and size requirements listed above, except that the minimum berry size shall be ten-sixteenths of an inch (1.59 cm), and maturity shall be as specified in the maturity column of this row. Flame seedless grapes are considered mature if the juice contains not less than 15% soluble solids that are equal to or in excess of 20 parts to every part acid contained in the juice.

CONDITIONS FOR THE IMPORTATION OF COMMODITIES EXEMPT FROM IMPORT REQUIREMENTS - The Importer's Exempt Commodity Form (FV-6) is used for table grapes diverted to commercial processing into juice products.

Contact the Marketing Order and Agreement Division’s (MOAD) Compliance and Enforcement Branch at (202) 720-2491 for more information on filing the FV-6 exemption certificates within two days after the commodity enters the United States.

DISPOSITION OF TABLE GRAPES FAILING TO MEET INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS - Table grapes failing to meet the above import requirements may be: (1) exported; (2) disposed of under Federal or Federal-State Inspection Program supervision with the importer bearing the costs of certifying the disposal of such table grapes; (3) diverted to juice processing using the FV-6 form or; (4) reconditioned and reinspected with failed portion disposed of under the procedures number (2) or (3) above.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING USDA INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION - The Federal or Federal-State Inspection Program, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is designated as the governmental inspection agency for the purpose of certifying the grade, size, quality, and maturity of table grapes prior to importation into the United States.

USDA inspection and certification services will be available upon application, in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products (7 CFR Part 51). The cost of the inspection and certification will be borne by the applicant.

Table grape importers should make arrangements for inspection and certification at least one day prior to entry at Port inspection offices, two days prior to entry at Regional offices, and three days prior to entry at the Washington Headquarters office.

Washington Headquarters Inspection Office: USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 1661-S, Stop 0240, Washington, D.C. 20250-0240. Telephone: (202) 720-2482.