In-Shell Chestnuts (Castanea spp.), Fresh or Dried

USDA APHIS requires that fresh in-shell chestnuts be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country's national plant protection organization. APHIS may impose additional conditions — such as cold treatment or inspection protocols — to mitigate pest risks including chestnut weevil (Curculio spp.) and other quarantine pests. Importers should consult APHIS import regulations and the relevant Pest Risk Assessment before booking shipments, as admissibility conditions vary by country of origin.

Both fresh and dried in-shell chestnuts are captured under the same HTS heading (080241) and tariff line (0802410000), so there is no duty-rate difference based on moisture state within this heading. However, the fresh versus dried distinction matters operationally: fresh chestnuts may trigger stricter APHIS phytosanitary conditions and have a much shorter shelf life, affecting logistics and insurance requirements.