If you are considering importing or exporting agricultural products in or out of Calaveras County, please reach out to our office at (209) 754-6504 or email us to find out if an inspection and/or a phytosanitary certificate will be needed.

Exporting Agricultural Products

With numerous seaports, an international border, and three bordering states, California is a major exporter of agricultural products. County agricultural commissioners’ offices play a vital role in the trade of agricultural commodities domestically and internationally by facilitating the movement of agricultural products from production to their ultimate destination. This includes the certification of products destined for foreign ports.
In 2022, California agricultural exports totaled $23.6 billion. While not all those commodities require export certification, many do. There are numerous quarantines and other restrictions at the state, federal, and foreign level that require regulatory attention and phytosanitary certificate issuance. Please contact our office for specific destination(s) information.

Importing Agricultural Products

With numerous seaports, an international border, and three bordering states, California is a gateway to the nation for imports. Keeping non-native, invasive pests out of our county protects local natural resources, including but not limited to: waterbodies and waterways, urban landscapes, native flora and fauna, and agricultural production.

This ongoing task takes the joint effort of regulatory partners at the federal, state, and county level. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) agricultural inspectors conduct inspections at ports of entry. County agricultural commissioners’ inspectors conduct inspections from the regional distribution hub level down to the final destination. This ensures all shipped agricultural material is properly certified and free of pests.