U.S. importers should plan ahead and secure their agricultural import permits for their shipments far in advance of their transport. When a shipment arrives in the Miami plant inspection station, PPQ inspectors collect phytosanitary certificates from the importers. Typically, inspectors examine one or more boxes of each variety of the plants and seeds being imported. The inspection process includes a meticulous examination of the leaves, stems, and roots of the plants. With the exception of only a few specified types, plants must not be rooted in growing media, such as soil, because insects, diseases, and noxious weeds could hide there.
Inspectors also ensure that the plants are a manageable size for the inspection process.
When PPQ inspectors discover a pest, disease, or noxious weed, they take a sample and complete an interception form, which describes what they have discovered and identified. The sample is taken to the proper scientist, who confirms the identification. Inspectors refer all insects or pests to the staff entomologist, who examines them and determines the extent of harm they could cause to America's agriculture. If the entomologist determines that an insect or pest is actionablemeaning it is not known to exist in the United States or it exists in limited distributionthe plants are fumigated, reexported, or destroyed. After fumigation, the inspector releases the plants to the importer and allows them to enter the country.