Fresh Cut Roses & Buds

Spray roses — multi-bloom stems with several smaller flower heads per stem — are classified under 0603110030, while single large-bloom standard roses are classified under 0603110050. The distinction affects not only duty treatment but also how importers report quantities, since spray and standard roses are priced and traded differently in the wholesale floral market.

Fresh-cut roses are highly perishable, and temperature breaks during transit can accelerate botrytis and other fungal issues that may trigger APHIS rejection at inspection. Importers typically require continuous refrigeration from the farm through air freight and US customs examination. Delays at the port of entry — including extended APHIS holds — can result in significant product loss, making pre-clearance coordination and accurate documentation essential.