CBP Boston Updates Destruction Procedures for Perishable Agricultural Goods

CBP Boston updated destruction procedures for small air cargo shipments of perishable agricultural goods arriving at Boston Logan International Airport that were put on “Hold” by a CBP Agriculture Specialist, it said in a public information notice. Email documents@brokerpower.com for a copy of notice.

Once an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) has been issued by a CBP Agriculture Specialist, the importer must choose which remedial action they wish to take from the available options, the notice said. If the importer elects to have the shipment destroyed, the importer should indicate that choice on the EAN and return it to an Agriculture Specialist via email: CBPAIBoston@dhs.gov or by fax: (617) 204-9566. When the amount of the commodity that will be destroyed is ten (10) boxes or less, the CBP Agriculture Specialist will contact the appropriate airline representative by faxing a copy of DHS Form 4613, Order to Destroy and Record of Destruction of Forfeited, Abandoned, or Unclaimed Merchandise.

Once the airline representative receives the DHS Form 4613, the representative should schedule an appointment with CBP to transfer the shipment to the international garbage dumpster at Logan Airport Terminal E. Appointments can be scheduled daily between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. by calling (617) 568-1810, Ext. 2251. All transfers to the international garbage dumpster must be witnessed by a CBP Agriculture Specialist. The disposals will take place at the garbage dumpster labeled “International Waste Only” located outside Terminal E, ramp-side, between Gates 5 and 6. (This dumpster is transported to a USDA-approved incineration facility several times per week.)

The Agriculture Specialist will confirm that the items transferred to the dumpster for destruction match those listed on DHS Form 4613. The CBP Agriculture Specialist will print his/her name, sign and date the bottom of the DHS Form 4613 (in the “DHS Officer” block). The airline representative, will print his/her name and sign the same form in the “Witnesses to Destruction” block and then retain the form. The Agriculture Specialist will also sign the EAN and forward it to the CBP International Cargo Port Office in order to close out the pending quarantine records for the particular shipment.