Exporters suffer massive losses as irradiation paperwork flaw forces disposal of premium mango consignments in the US
At least 15 shipments of Indian mangoes have been rejected by US authorities across major airports including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, over documentation discrepancies tied to mandatory irradiation treatment.
The fruit had to be destroyed locally, causing exporters to suffer losses estimated at $500,000, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
The affected mangoes had undergone irradiation in Navi Mumbai on May 8–9 at a USDA-supervised facility. However, administrative errors in pest-control documentation — not the quality or safety of the mangoes — led to rejection.
The PPQ203 form, essential for US import clearance, was reportedly “incorrectly issued,” triggering entry denial by US Customs and Border Protection.
Exporters argue they’re being penalised for faults at the USDA-approved irradiation centre, not their own.
The rejected mangoes, though treated for pests, were denied entry due to flaws in the USDA-issued PPQ203 form — a crucial certificate required to clear shipments
In one instance, a Los Angeles shipment detained between May 9–11 was eventually ordered destroyed for not meeting entry requirements.
The exporter contested this, stating that the PPQ203 form was only issued after irradiation, and without it, the consignment wouldn’t have even left Mumbai airport.
APEDA, the Indian authority overseeing processed food exports, said the issue falls under the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), which manages the irradiation facility in Vashi, Mumbai. However, MSAMB has yet to respond to queries.
The incident comes amid ongoing trade talks between India and the US, as both nations eye a low-tariff trade agreement covering several key sectors.
India is pushing for lower duties on labour-intensive exports like textiles, gems, and agricultural produce, while the US is seeking cuts on industrial goods, EVs, apples, tree nuts, and dairy products. The first phase of the deal is expected to conclude in the coming months.