Mother's Day Member Update 4/17/25

Mother's Day - CBP and USDA

Mother's day shipping season is getting started and with all of the changes, there's been some anxiety about whether the flower industry is going to feel the changes in the importing process.   Be assured that AFIA is always working to make sure that we are able to have as little impact as possible.

With CBP, the additional Agriculture Inspectors arrived earlier this week and are now in the field ready to help with the increased volume.  During Valentine's shipping the average response time was 1 hour and 21 minutes, so that is the new goal.  (The overall goal that AFIA and CBP have been working on for years is 2 hour response time).

Both at the airport and the seaport the directors are ready for the increased volume and providing the best service.

With USDA, there have been no cuts locally.  There is one identifier that will be retiring at the end of the month, but the rest of the team is committed to providing the best service possible.  The current administration is not allowing vacant positions to be filled at this time.  Hopefully we will be able to prove that South Florida needs every position filled.