Fresh or Chilled Tomatoes

Mexico is the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of fresh tomatoes to the US, a position built on proximity, year-round greenhouse and open-field production capacity, and well-developed cold-chain logistics into southern US distribution hubs. The US tariff schedule for this heading is among the most complex in the vegetable chapters, with over two dozen 10-digit lines that cross-reference variety (cherry, grape, Roma, round), production method (greenhouse vs. field), organic certification, and seasonal entry windows — particularly the November 15 through last day of February and March 1 through July 14 periods that carry distinct greenhouse-specific lines. These seasonal splits reflect longstanding trade-remedy and competitive-injury considerations in the US fresh tomato market. USDA APHIS phytosanitary inspection applies at entry, and importers should confirm current admissibility requirements with a licensed customs broker given the heading's classification complexity.