Fresh berries are extremely perishable, with most varieties having a commercial shelf life of only a few days under optimal refrigeration. Any break in the cold chain — whether at origin packing, during air or sea transit, or at port inspection — can render a shipment commercially unsaleable. Importers should specify temperature and humidity requirements in contracts, use pre-cooled containers, and build buffer time into delivery schedules to account for potential APHIS inspection delays at the port of entry.

Yes. Each berry species carries a distinct pest and disease risk profile, and APHIS requirements — including the need for phytosanitary certificates, approved pest treatments, or systems approaches — vary accordingly. For example, certain origins may require cold treatment for spotted-wing drosophila on blueberries, while strawberries from specific countries may be subject to additional inspection protocols. Importers should verify current APHIS requirements for each species-origin combination before shipment.