Potatoes - Appendix III

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Summary of the U.S. Potato Import Regulations

Application: This section applies to all potatoes exported to the U.S. and Puerto Rico, not just Canadian grown potatoes. Even U.S. potatoes in original containers in Canada, re-exported to the U.S. must be recertified as meeting the U.S. Potato Import Regulations.

Exemptions: Potatoes exported to the U.S. for processing, charity or relief purposes and shipped under the Importer's Exempt Commodity Form are exempted from these Regulations and do not require a Ministerial Exemption or a compulsory inspection.

Maturity: Since we are only required to meet U.S. Potato Import Regulations, the following skinning definitions must be applied:

• Practically no skinning: means that not more than 5% of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-tenth of the skin missing or feathered;
• Slightly skinned: means that not more than 10% of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-fourth of the skin missing or feathered;
• Moderately skinned: means that not more than 10 of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-half of the skin missing or feathered; and
• Badly skinned: means that more than 10% of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-half of the skin missing or feathered.

Cleanliness: All varieties must meet the requirements of minimum cleanliness as required by the U.S. grade standard. U.S. No. 1 grade potatoes must be fairly clean, while U.S. No. 2 potatoes must not be seriously damaged by dirt. Fairly clean means that at least 90 percent of the potatoes in any lot are reasonably free from dirt or staining and not more than a slight amount of loose dirt or foreign matter is present in the container.

Size Markings: Potatoes being shipped in packages marked Canada No. 1 and not meeting Canadian size requirements, but meeting the U.S. Import Regulations, should be labelled to reflect the size of potato packed within. If the size range is not declared on the package, inspections performed in the United States will be based on the regular size requirements of the Canada grade declared.

A Canadian Inspection Certificate issued for potatoes exported to the United States is based on an equivalent Canadian grade for quality, but must meet U.S. import requirements for size and maturity.

Type of Potato	Period	Minimum Grade	Minimum Maturity	Minimum Diameter or Weight
Round Red Varieties (all flesh colours)	January 1 to December 31	U.S. No. 2 or better	Not more than moderately skinned.	1 7/8 inches (48 mm) (no maximum size); or 3/4 inch (19 mm) if U.S. No. 1 or better (no maximum size)*.
All Other Round Varieties	January 1 to December 31	U.S. No. 2 or better	August 1 to October 31 for U.S. No. 2 moderately skinned, and for other grades, slightly skinned. Thereafter, no maturity requirements.	2 inches (51 mm) (no maximum size); or 1 inch to 1 3/4 inches (25 mm to 44 mm) if U.S. Commercial** or better; or Size "B"*** (1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches) (38 mm to 57 mm) if U.S. Commercial** or better****.
Long Type Varieties	January 1 to December 31	U.S. No. 2 or better	White Rose variety August 1 to December 31 moderately skinned. Other varieties, slightly skinned. Thereafter no maturity requirements.	2 inches (51 mm) or 4 ounces (113 g) provided that 40% of potatoes must be at least 5 ounces (142 g) or heavier (no maximum size); or Creamers 3/4 inch to 1 5/8 inches (19 mm to 41 mm) if U.S. No. 1 or better; or Size "B" (1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches) (38 mm to 57 mm) if U.S. No. 1 or better.*****

Note:

U.S. potato import requirements do not apply to quantities of potatoes of 500 lb or less. The entire shipment, including all potato types and package sizes, is considered in aggregate and must be less than 500 lb to be exempt from the provisions of the import requirements.

There are no size requirements for Canada No. 1 or U.S. No. 1 or better grade potatoes in containers of 3 lbs or less; however lot must be accompanied by an inspection certificate.

* Potatoes 38 mm to 57 mm (1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches) if Canada No. 1 Small Round or U.S. No. 1 Size "B" or better would also meet the minimum diameter requirement for round red varieties (all flesh colours).

* Creamers 19 mm to 41 mm (3/4 inch to 1 5/8 inches) if Canada No. 1 or U.S. No. 1 or better would also meet the minimum diameter requirement for round red varieties (all flesh colours).

** U.S. Commercial grade is better than U.S. No. 2, but less than U.S. No. 1 grade. However since there is no equivalent Canadian grade, the next highest grade must be used which is Canada No. 1.

*** Size "B" potatoes range in size from 38 mm to 57 mm (1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches) in diameter (round or long type). The term Size "B" must not be used in conjunction with a Canada grade name.

**** Potatoes 38 mm to 57 mm (1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches) if Canada No. 1 Small Round would also meet the minimum diameter requirement for all round type potatoes other than red varieties.

***** Potatoes 38 mm to 51 mm (1 1/2 inches to 2 inches) if Canada No. 1 Small Long would also meet the minimum diameter requirement for long type varieties.

Size "A" potatoes must have the minimum size for the grade and 40% of the potatoes must be at least 170 g (6 ounces) or 64 mm (2 1/2 inches) or larger (no maximum size). The term Size "A" must not be used in conjunction with a Canada grade name.

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