faqs about exporting florida agricultural products · 2018. 6. 28. · exporting agricultural...

Exporting Florida Agricultural Products www.FreshFromFlorida.com/HowToExport

Division of Marketing and Development (850) 617-7330 [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions aboutExporting Agricultural Products

If your company is interested in exporting, a number of questions have probably come to mind. This section addresses some of the most frequently asked questions including where to find market information as well as exporting and certification documents that may be required. If you have any additional questions please call (850) 617-7330 or email [email protected].

Successful exporting requires a major commitment of time, patience, energy and research. Today’s successful exporter must be a trade analyst, a sales representative, as well as a master of cultural differences and tastes.

To determine which countries are best for your exporting efforts, you might research your competition to discover which foreign markets demand and purchase your products, and which do not. Remember that it pays to “test the waters.” Export companies that skip or skimp on the research phase before plunging into new markets risk making costly mistakes.

The Southern U.S. Trade Association publishes an excellent guide for new-to-export agricultural concerns titled “The Basics of Exporting.” It is available online at: http://www.susta.org/export/index.html.

I’m interested in exporting agricultural products. What are some of the first things I should do?

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a dedicated international trade staff to help exporters. Contact us at: [email protected] or call us at (850) 617-7330.

The Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) is a region-wide grouping of state departments of agriculture. SUSTA offers export promotion services to help Southern U.S. agricultural exporters such as educational seminars on export opportunities and procedures, export data, market research and other resources. They are also an intermediate administrator for the Market Access Program (MAP), which provides matching funds for export marketing expenditures for eligible products and companies. Website: http://www.susta.org.

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is the USDA agency responsible for assisting agricultural export efforts. Through its Washington-based staff of analysts and worldwide network of agricultural attachés and trade officers, FAS provides a variety of services that can help any exporter, whether new to market or an old hand. Website: http://www.fas.usda.gov/.

What are some of the first contacts I should make?

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service offers reports categorized by topics, commodities and countries. Website: www.fas.usda.gov

USDA FAS Trade Data and Analysis allows access to various databases, quarterly export sales forecasts, attaché reports and international agricultural trade reports. Website: http://www.fas.usda.gov/data

USDA Economic Research Service offers reports on various topics such as food safety, global food markets, global food security and trade policy. Website: http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/international-markets-trade.aspx

CIA World Factbook offers information on the history, people, government, economy and transnational issues for the 267 world entities. Website: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Euromonitor International is the world’s leading independent provider of strategic market research. It generates data and analysis on thousands of products and services around the world. Website: www.euromonitor.com

Exports.gov offers market research and trade events and leads for U.S. agribusiness companies. Website: http://www.export.gov/industry/agribusiness/index.asp

Where can I find foreign markets information?

In general, exporters of food and agricultural products do not need a license from the U.S. government to export overseas. However, in some countries, the foreign importer must have a valid import license to bring in products.

Do I need a license for selling overseas?



What state and federal programs are there to assist U.S. Exporters with international trade events and marketing financial assistance?

A host of programs exist to help U.S. exporters succeed internationally, including the Market Access Program, the Export Enhancement Program, and the Emerging Markets Program. For information about these and more federal assistance programs:

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS): http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs

Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA): http://www.susta.org

United States Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE): http://www.uslge.org

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services participate at the following trade shows: ANUGA, SIAL Paris, Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit, Canada PMA and Seafood Expo North America.

How can I get information about requirements for exporting meat (poultry, pork, beef, goat, etc.) to specific countries?

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is a nonprofit trade association working to create new opportunities and develop existing international markets for U.S. beef, pork, lamb and veal. Headquartered in Denver, USMEF has offices in Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Mexico City, Monterrey and Brussels. USMEF also has special market representatives covering China, the Middle East, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Website: http://www.usmef.org/about-usmef/

USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service maintains a Library of Export Requirements that provides a country-by-country explanation of requirements for exporting most U.S. meat products. In general, meat products for export must come from a USDA-inspected processing facility. Website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/

What documents may I need to export food and agricultural products?

A listing of most documents necessary for exporting food and agricultural products is available at http://www.susta.org/export/documents.html.

Please note that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is able to issue the following documents:

Phytosanitary Certificates: Division of Plant Industry (352) 395-4700

Certificates of Free Sale, Health and Sanitation: Division of Food Safety (850) 245-5576



A phytosanitary certificate is a document certifying that particular crops meet the standards or requirements for entry into certain countries.

Florida exporters can get a phytosanitary certificate by contacting your Plant Inspector: www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Bureaus-and-Services/Office-Locations

Learn more about the certificates by visiting:

USDA Export Certification Specialists - Florida http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/sa_export/sa_ecs/ct_fl/!ut/p/a0/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOK9_D2MDJ0MjDzd3V2dDDz93HwCzL29jAx8TfULsh0VAY_1WkE!/

APHIS Plant and Animal Certificationshttps://pcit.aphis.usda.gov/pcit/

Phitosanitary Certificate Issuance and Tracking System - PCIThttps://pcit.aphis.usda.gov/pcit/

National Plant Board http://www.nationalplantboard.org/

What is a phytosanitary certificate and a processed product certificate? Where can I get them?

Any food establishment exporting a food, as defined in Section 500.03(1)(l), F.S., may request an Export Certi-fication Report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) certifying that the food establishment is inspected by the FDACS, and currently holds a valid FDACS Food Permit to manufac-ture, process, pack, hold and/or prepare food in accordance with requirements of Chapter 500, F.S., the Florida Food Safety Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder. Such Export Certification Reports are issued to food establishments permitted by FDACS to be used for the sole purpose of exporting food to another country.

Florida companies exporting food products and requiring a Certificate of Free Sale, Health and Sanitation may contact the Records Section of the Division of Food Safety at (850) 245-5520.

What is a Certificate of Free Sale, Health and Sanitation and where can I get one?



US Export-Import Bank http://www.exim.gov/

Florida Small Business Development Center http://www.sbdc.unf.edu/

Foreign Currency http://www.xe.com

What is a Certificate of Origin and Free Sale and where can I get one?

A Certificate of Origin and Free Sale is sometimes required for certain items to enter foreign countries. It basically states that a product is known to be sold freely in Florida. The Certificate of Origin and Free Sale is signed by a governing body such as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Florida companies exporting food products and requiring a Certificate of Origin and Free Sale may contact:

Florida Chamber of Commerce (or Local Chamber of Commerce) (850) 521-1200

Enterprise Florida (305) 808-3389

Where can I find a freight forwarder to handle my international shipments?

Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association www.fcbf.com

Florida Ports Council http://flaports.org/

Where can I find assistance with export financing?

Florida Export Finance Corporation (786) 845-0400

FAS Export Credit Guarantee Program http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/export-credit-guarantee-program-gsm-102



faqs about exporting florida agricultural products · 2018. 6. 28. · exporting agricultural...

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