Condensed milk shipment into Texas seized over fraud allegations

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility at the Texas border seized 34,286 pounds of sweetened condensed milk in what they are calling a fraudulent entry attempt.

“CBP is committed to the health and safety of the American agriculture resources, which is why our agriculture specialists scrutinize all documents for consumable goods entering the United States,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

CBP seized the milk after agriculture specialists uncovered what they said appears to be a fraudulent import attempt using a Zoosanitary Certificate that was determined not to be issued by the government of Mexico.

Though the case happened several weeks ago, it was just recently made public. On October 28, officers encountered a tractor-trailer making entry from Mexico with a shipment manifested as “canned cream or milk substitute.” The shipment was sent in for further inspection as additional requirements must be met to import these goods.

At the inspection dock, agriculture specialists reviewed the documentation, and after additional inspection and review, it could not readily be determined if the certificate was authentic.

A Zoosanitary Certificate, issued by the Mexican Government, is required for shipments with products and byproducts of animal origin to make entry to the United States. This shipment containing cow’s milk requires a Zoosanitary Certificate which certifies the product to be free from foot and mouth disease and did not traverse through a country with risk of foot and mouth disease.

The shipment was held pending investigation of the Zoosanitary certificate. With assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, contact was made with Mexican government officials who confirmed that the certificate was not issued by them and, therefore, fraudulent.

On November 26, the determination was made to seize the tractor-trailer and shipment. A total of 18 pallets, loaded with 48 boxes, for a total of 864 containers of sweetened condensed milk were seized pending destruction. USDA Investigative and Enforcement Services initiated an investigation.