APHIS Factsheet

Plant Protection and Quarantine March 2012

Restrictions on 

Certain Products 

Imported From 

Countries Where 

Khapra Beetle Is 

Known To Occur

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has 

established restrictions on the importation of 

commercial and noncommercial shipments of 

rice, soybeans, Cicer species (e.g., chickpeas), 

and safflower seeds from countries where Khapra 

beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is known to 

occur. These restrictions apply to all countries 

where Khapra beetle is known to occur, including 

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, 

Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mali, 

Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, 

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, 

Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United Arab 

Emirates.

In the past year, an increasing number of 

agricultural commodity shipments from these 

countries have been found to be infested with 

Khapra beetle at U.S. ports of entry. In order to 

protect U.S. agriculture and natural resources 

from the introduction and spread of Khapra beetle, 

APHIS has restricted or prohibited the importation 

of rice, soybeans, “Cicer” species, and safflower 

seeds from countries where the beetle is known to 

occur. 

The Khapra beetle is a small, brown beetle 

between 2 and 3 millimeters long. It will feed on 

grains, cereal products, and almost any dried 

plant or animal matter. The introduction and 

establishment of this beetle into the United States 

poses a serious threat to stored agricultural 

products, including spices, grains, and packaged 

foods. 

Previous detections of Khapra beetle have resulted 

in massive, long-term control and eradication efforts 

at great cost to the American taxpayer. Established 

infestations are difficult to control because the 

beetle can survive without food for long periods of 

time, requires little moisture, hides in tiny cracks 

and crevices, and is relatively resistant to many 

insecticides and fumigants. These factors, combined 

with its small size, make the Khapra beetle one of the 

world’s most destructive pests. 

Restrictions on the Importation of Noncommercial 

Quantities

Noncommercial quantities of rice, soybeans, “Cicer“ 

species, and safflower seeds from countries where 

Khapra beetle is known to occur are prohibited from 

entering the United States. Noncommercial quantities 

are defi ned as amounts for personal use and not for 

resale, including those transported in international 

passenger baggage, by mail, or by courier. 

The Khapra beetle’s size and other characteristics 

make it very difficult for members of the general 

public to identify. Returning travelers must declare all 

agricultural items on their Customs Declaration Form 

or verbally to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

officer or agriculture specialist at the fi rst U.S. port of 

entry. Failure to declare agricultural items can result 

in up to $10,000 in fi nes and penalties.

Restrictions on the Importation of Commercial 

Shipments

Commercial shipments of rice, soybeans, “Cicer” 

species, and safflower seeds originating from 

countries where Khapra beetle is known to occur must 

be inspected and accompanied by a phytosanitary 

certifi cate with an additional declaration stating 

that the shipment has been inspected and found 

free of Khapra beetle. A phytosanitary certifi cate or 

phytosanitary certifi cate of re-export with the same 

additional declaration is also required for commercial 

shipments originating from countries known to have 

Khapra beetle that make entry into another country 

before re-exportation to the United States. The means 

of conveyance must also be inspected and found free 

of Khapra beetle.
For More Information

For more information about restrictions on the 

importation of rice, soybeans, Cicer species, and 

safflower seeds from countries where Khapra beetle 

is known to occur, contact APHIS’ Plant Protection and 

Quarantine Permits Unit at (877) 770-5990 (toll free) 

or (301) 851-2046 or at permits@aphis.usda.gov. 

Returning international travelers can learn more about 

the admissibility of agricultural products by accessing 

the “Information for Travelers Returning From 

Overseas Travel” factsheet at www.aphis.usda.gov/

publications/plant_health/2011/faq_return_overseas_

travel.pdf. 

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United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture