CBP prohibits certain fresh flowers from Mexico at ports of entry

This Valentine’s Day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents will be on the look out for certain fresh-cut flowers coming into the country from Mexico.

Chrysanthemums, choisyas and gladiolus are not allowed to through El Paso port of entries, according to CBP.

“Every cut flower arrangement needs to be inspected,” CBP agricultural specialist Luis Macias said. “Flowers and the greenery around the flowers can have diseases or insects, and we don’t want any pests or diseases in the United States.

And those who do not declare or try to smuggle prohibited items through ports of entry could be penalized at least $300.

Macias said the two busiest times for his department are Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

“If they’re in Mexico and they’re going to bring flower arrangements, they should tell the flower shop that they’re taking them back to the United States,” Macias said. “Sometimes they put a lot of greenery around and greenery is what is most of the time prohibited.”

The flowers are inspected at the ports of entry. CBP said the prohibited items are tested for diseases or pests, and then are incinerated on site.

Executive Flower shop on the West Side sometimes orders flowers from Mexico. They are cautious from who they buy from.

“We purchase flowers that are certified and meet the high standards of the U.S. to come in,” employee Abril Llamas said. “They don’t have any pesticides, and they don’t bring any (diseases) to harm agriculture in the U.S.”