U.S. exports of Fresh Melons (Including Watermelons), Papayas (SITC 05791) totaled $24.0M in September 2026.
Importers of Fresh Melons (Including Watermelons), Papayas paid $20K in duties in September 2026, an average duty rate of 0.11% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Fresh Melons (Including Watermelons), Papayas imports of $17.3M in September 2026 ran 76% below the year-to-date monthly average of $73.4M.
Last updated: September 2026 dataSeasonality and cold-chain integrity are the primary commercial drivers for fresh melon and papaya imports, with supply peaking during winter and early spring months when domestic US production is limited. USDA APHIS phytosanitary requirements — including inspection for fruit flies and other quarantine pests — govern admissibility, and some origins require approved treatment protocols such as hot-water immersion or cold treatment before entry. Papayas from certain origins may also require APHIS documentation related to genetic modification status. Importers should confirm that country-of-origin phytosanitary certificates specifically address the pest species of concern to avoid port-of-entry delays. Consult a licensed customs broker or APHIS for current admissibility requirements.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
2.1K import shipments a month
Many melon-producing countries must comply with USDA APHIS-approved treatment schedules targeting fruit flies, particularly Mediterranean fruit fly and Mexican fruit fly. Approved treatments include cold treatment, hot-water immersion, or methyl bromide fumigation depending on the pest species and origin country. Importers should verify that the exporting country's treatment facility is APHIS-approved and that treatment records accompany the shipment.
Yes. Genetically modified (GM) papaya varieties require USDA APHIS regulatory review and must be authorized for import into the US. Importers should confirm whether the papaya variety being sourced is a GM or conventional variety and ensure that any required APHIS permits or notifications are in place before the shipment departs the country of origin.
Basic heading 72 of 337 in section 0
Basic heading 05791 · $24.0M of $11.7B
Trade Directory
List your company and tag the 6-digit products you trade, so the companies trading them can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
ImportsExports
Imports
$17.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$24.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to September 2026, the U.S. imported $875.4M of Fresh Melons (Including Watermelons), Papayas and exported $334.8M.
Through September 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · September 2026
destination
Canada and Mexico together take 81% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.