Kiwifruit shipments of over 200 lbs. imported into the United States must meet section 8e minimum grade and size requirements prior to importation. The cost of the inspection and certification is paid by the applicant. View the full regulation.
Grade Requirements - All kiwifruit must grade at least U.S. No. 1, and such fruit shall be "not badly misshapen." An additional tolerance of 16 percent is provided for kiwifruit that is "badly misshapen.”
Size Requirements - Such fruit, except for varieties of the Actinidia chinensis species, shall be at least Size 45, which means there shall be a maximum of 55 pieces of fruit in an 8-pound sample. Varieties of the Actinidia chinensis species shall be at least Size 49, which means there shall be a maximum of 64 pieces of fruit in an 8-pound sample. The average weight of all samples in a specific lot must weigh at least 8 pounds (3.632 kilograms), provided that no individual sample may be less than 7 pounds 12 ounces (3.472 kilograms).
Maturity Requirements - The minimum maturity requirement is 6.2 percent soluble solids at the time of inspection.
The grade, size, quality, and maturity regulations are not applicable to the Arctic Beauty and Issau varieties of kiwifruit. The regulations are also not applicable to kiwifruit imported for consumption by charitable institutions, distribution by relief agencies, or commercial processing. Commercial processing is defined as physically altering the form or chemical composition of the fruit through canning, freezing, dehydrating, pulping, juicing, or heating of the product. The act of slicing, dicing, or peeling is not considered commercial processing. The importer is to complete the Importer’s Exempt Commodity Form—SC-6—for any of these exempt uses.
The SC-6 exemption form must now be filed through the Compliance and Enforcement Management System (CEMS). The MOLS system previously utilized by AMS has been transitioned to CEMS. Visit Section 8e Exemptions – SC-6 Certificate for further information on the new CEMS and SC-6 Certificates. Also, visit Filing a SC-6 Certificate in CEMS for directions for registering for CEMS and instructions on filing a SC-6 Certificate.
Kiwifruit importers should make arrangements for inspection and certification at least one day prior to entry at Port inspection offices, or two days prior to entry at the Field Operations Section.