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U.S. imports of dates, fresh or dried (SITC 05796) totaled $10.6M in April 2026, traded with 21 countries.
Importers of Dates, Fresh or Dried paid $592K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $5.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataDates are traded in a wide spectrum of moisture levels and processing states — from fresh (rutab stage) through semi-dry to fully dried and pressed — and the product form significantly affects both shelf life and the applicable regulatory pathway at US entry. FDA governs imported dates as a food commodity, with inspection focused on insect infestation, mold, and added-sugar or sulfite labeling compliance for processed forms. The global date trade is geographically concentrated in arid-region producing countries, and variety differentiation — Medjool, Deglet Noor, Barhi, and others — is a primary commercial driver, with Medjool commanding a substantial premium in US retail and specialty food channels. Importers should ensure that country-of-origin phytosanitary certificates address date palm pests where required by APHIS for fresh or minimally processed product.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Variety is the single largest price differentiator in the US date market. Medjool dates — large, moist, and caramel-flavored — command a significant retail premium and are marketed as a fresh or specialty product, while Deglet Noor dates are smaller, drier, and positioned as a commodity ingredient for baking, snack mixes, and food manufacturing. Importers should specify variety, moisture content, and grade in purchase contracts, as these parameters directly determine the applicable retail channel and price point.
For dried dates, importers should obtain a Certificate of Analysis from the supplier covering moisture content, microbial counts, and any preservative or sulfite levels, as FDA may sample shipments for these parameters. For fresh or minimally processed dates, a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country's national plant protection organization may be required by USDA APHIS to address date palm pest risks. Maintaining complete supplier documentation and prior notice filing with FDA are standard best practices for smooth entry.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $4.8M | $2.7M | -$2.1M |
| TUNISIA | $2.8M | -- | -$2.8M |
| ALGERIA | $1.1M | -- | -$1.1M |
| UNITED KINGDOM | -- | $882K | +$882K |
| ISRAEL | $780K | -- | -$780K |
Monthly import values over time