U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists have been busy inspecting over 1.2 million imported cut flowers in preparation for Mother's Day, which is the second-busiest time of year for flower imports after Valentine's Day. During Valentine's Day, CBP reported a record-high of over 1.3 billion cut flowers.
Miami serves as the primary port of entry for these floral imports, accounting for approximately 88% of the total stems brought into the country. Otay Mesa and John F. Kennedy Airport handle most of the remaining 12%.
"Flowers are a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day, but they could also be a hiding place for dangerous pests that could harm our country,” said Carlos C. Martel, Director of Miami and Tampa Field Offices. He praised CBP agriculture specialists for their crucial role as "the first line of defense against destructive pests." Their efforts ensure that imported flowers are free from invasive species, thereby protecting U.S. agriculture.
Although harmful pests are found in only a small fraction of inspected stems, even one dangerous pest like Nysius—a seed bug or milkweed bug—could potentially cause millions in crop damage across the United States. As of May 4, specialists have identified 552 pests in 1,081 intercepted shipments related to Mother's Day.
CBP advises consulting its Info Center section on their website before importing flowers, plant materials, and other agricultural items to prevent such risks.
CBP is recognized as America's frontline: it is the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. With more than 65,000 personnel, CBP protects America on land, air, and sea while facilitating safe travel and trade to bolster economic prosperity through innovation and collaboration.
