C»f Unitediptates Department of m Agriculture Export Handbook Transportation for U.S. Agricultural Agriculture Handbool< No. 593 ;98i' Products 84ÍI032 ofi Export Handbook for U.§. Agricultural Products /^c By C. J. Nicholas, <.. ^-:- 'C "• Agricultural economist, Research and Economic Analysis Research Branch, Office of Transportation (OT), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington, D.C. Preface Acknowledgment This handbook provides the shipper of U.S. agricultural The idea for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) products with a brief but well-defined set of guidelines. export handbook originated with the Agricultural Topics discussed include general shipping information, Research Service (ARS), USDA. The author prepared product selection, packaging, storage, handling, load- much of the material when he was with ARS. He com- ing, and transport as well as the product disorders of pleted the handbook after his division became a part of which both exporters and foreign receivers of U.S. agri- the Office of Transportation, USDA. ARS provided most cultural products should be aware. of the information on specifications. The practices recommended here all have been eval- uated in actual export test shipments. Most of the in- formation is based on research on actual export ship- ments to the markets designated and by the transport methods described. The Authors can in no way guarantee the satisfactory arrival of any commodity even though packed and shipped according to these recommendations, because of the wide variety of problems that can occur with overseas shipments. They do believe that adherence to these recommended practices will increase substan- tially the percentage of good product arrivals and decrease losses during exporting. Firm names are displayed in this publication solely for the purpose of providing specific information. Their use does not imply approval or disapproval of the firms or their products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Revised March 1985 Contents Page Section I: General infornnation 1 Specifications for exporting variety Introduction 1 meats and beef 70 Who should export 1 Specifications for exporting honeydew melons .... 71 Foreign competition and trade (trade barriers) 1 Specifications for exporting Florida oranges 73 Sources of information 2 Specifications for exporting winter pears 76 Freight forwarders 4 Specifications for exporting peppers 77 Marine insurance 5 Specifications for exporting poultry 78 Financial considerations 6 Specifications for exporting prunes 82 Export financing programs 7 Specifications for exporting radishes 83 Documentation 7 Specifications for exporting raisins 84 Transport methods and equipment 9 Specifications for exporting soybeans 87 Overseas warehousing and distribution 11 Specifications for exporting California Section II: Fruits and vegetables 12 strawberries 88 Quality and varietal suitability 12 Specifications for exporting sweet potatoes 89 Pretransit treatment 12 Specifications for exporting watermelons 91 Packaging 13 Appendixes 96 Size of packages 13 Appendix A.—State extension services 96 Choice of materials 13 Appendix B.—State organizations 98 Packaging, labeling, and markings 13 Appendix C—U.S. market development Assembling, filling, and closing 14 cooperators 99 Loading 14 Appendix D.—Sources of technical assistance ... 103 Pretransit vehicle check 15 Appendix E. —Phytosanitary certificate Transit environment 16 (PPQ Form 557, U.S. Department of Agriculture) .. 104 Temperature 16 Appendix F.—Sources of shipping information ... 105 Relative humidity and water loss 16 Appendix G.—Countries of the world with Modified or controlled atmospheres 17 scheduled steamship service (New York) 106 Compatibility in mixed loads 17 Appendix H.—Countries of the world with Loading patterns and cargo bracing 17 scheduled steamship service (New Orleans) 112 Transport vehicle refrigeration 23 Appendix I.—Countries of the world with Special shipping considerations 23 scheduled steamship service (Baltimore) 118 Section III: Export specifications Appendix J.—Countries of the world with (Transportation Improvement Program) 24 scheduled steamship service (Seattle) 138 Specifications for exporting almonds 24 Appendix K.—Shipper's export declaration Specifications for exporting apples 24 (Form 7525-V, U.S. Department of Commerce) 144 Specifications for exporting fresh green asparagus . 26 Appendix L.—inspection certificate Specifications for exporting Florida avocados 29 (Form FV-47, State of Washington Specifications for exporting dry edible beans 31 Department of Agriculture) 145 Specifications for exporting package and Appendix M. —Export certificate queen bees 32 (FormMP506, U.S. Department of Agriculture) ... 146 Specifications for exporting sleeved celery 34 Table 1.—Delivery schedules from Rotterdam, Specifications for exporting western The Netherlands, to selected points in Europe sweet cherries 35 by train and truck 147 Specifications for exporting sweet corn 40 Table 2. —Recommended storage temperature, Specifications for exporting leatherleaf ferns relative humidity, approximate shipping/storage in van containers 44 life, and freezing point for fresh vegetables Specifications for exporting mixed loads of and fruits 148 fruits and vegetables 47 Table 3.—Fruits and vegetables susceptible to Specifications for exporting Florida grapefruit 48 chilling injury when stored at moderately low Specifications for exporting Vinifera table grapes . 56 but nonfreezing temperatures 150 Specifications for exporting Florida lemons 58 Table 4.—Compatibility tables 151 Specifications for exporting western iceberg lettuce to Europe 62 Specifications for exporting Florida "Tahiti" limes (seedless) 63 Specifications for exporting Florida Mangos 69 111 Section I: General Information Introduction because they have had available both the natural and technological resources required. This publication is intended to serve as a reference guide for exporters of U.S. agricultural products. Stan- However, price and quality often are not the determining dard operating procedures, major problenn areas, and factors in the competitive position of U.S. agricultural sources of up-to-date information and technical assis- products in the export trade. Agricultural policies of tance are included. Specific shipping recommendations some countries and restrictive trade practices of others are given for some commodities regularly exported. seriously limit the free flow of international trade. Although U.S. exports have been increasing, U.S. exports Who Should Export of certain commodities are still subject to constraints in a number of countries. The question of who should export and who should sell to domestic markets can be answered only by each The most important nontariff trade barrier in the Euro- individual based on his or her own particular require- pean Economic Community (EEC) countries is the vari- ments. There are no restrictions or requirements regard- able levy, a device for protecting domestic markets ing the size a business must be to qualify as an ex- from outside competition. It covers such commodities porter. The sales, documentation, and shipping are a as wheat, feed grains, rice, pork, poultry, eggs, cattle, little more complicated than for domestic businesses, beef, veal, dairy products, sugar, and olive oil. but with the information provided in this handbook and the assistance of an export forwarder, the entire opera- In addition, the EEC has many preferential trade agree- tion should be relatively simple. ments with a number of countries. The import duties on commodities from Turkey, Spain, Israel, Morocco, and a However, there is agreement among many successful number of other African countries are much lower than exporters on certain general parameters around which duties applicable on American commodities. The United an export sales effort can be developed. The export Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark joined the Common business should be entered as a regular part of normal Market on January 1, 1973, spreading the effects of business. "In-and-outers" rarely experience continued EEC's common agricultural policy to three-fourths of success in the export business. Like U.S. domestic Western Europe's population. In addition, Greece markets, foreign buyers are seeking dependable ship- became a member on January 1, 1981. pers who can provide a regular flow of product. Most foreign buyers are looking for U.S. firms that are willing The EEC's use of export subsidies is another trade to make a commitment to ship a given quantity and measure that has harmed U.S. agricultural exports. The quality of product over a specified time period. They EEC supports high internal prices for many grains and must plan their advertising and sales promotions far in for dairy and poultry products. The high domestic advance, often with little opportunity for alternate sup- prices are buffered from the competition of lower world plies. Therefore, it is essential to have built-in depend- prices by a tariff called a variable levy, which raises the ability from their suppliers. Most successful U.S. ex- prices of specific imported commodities to the level of porters commit themselves to ship a given amount of the supported domestic prices. In this way, domestic product, regardless of domestic market conditions and production is encouraged by high domestic prices and prices. Such a commitment is also advantageous in imports are effectively restricted. This situation often making advance arrangements for