980.501—Safeguard procedures for potatoes, onions, and tomatoes exempt from grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements.
(1)
Potatoes, onions or tomatoes for consumption by charitable institutions or distribution by relief agencies;
(4)
Pearl onions, shall obtain an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” (FV-6) from the Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, and shall show the completed “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” to the U.S. Customs Service Regional Director or District Director, as applicable, at the port at which the customs entry is filed. One copy shall be mailed to the Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA with a postmark no later than two days after the date of importation and a third copy shall accompany the lot to the exempt outlet specified on the form. Any lot offered for inspection and, all or a portion thereof, subsequently imported as exempt under this provision shall be reported on an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” and such form, accompanied by a copy of the applicable inspection certificate, shall be mailed to the Marketing Order Administration Branch.
(b)
Each person who receives an exempt commodity for the purposes specified in paragraph (a) of this section shall also receive a copy of the same numbered Importer's Exempt Commodity Form filed by the importer or customs broker and shall certify, by completing and signing Section II of the form and mailing the form to the Marketing Order Administration Branch within two days of receipt of the exempt lot, that such lot has been received and will be utilized in the exempt outlet.
(c)
It is the responsibility of the importer to notify the Marketing Order Administration Branch of any lot of exempt commodity rejected by a receiver, shipped to an alternative exempt receiver, returned to the country of origin, or otherwise disposed of. In such cases, a second “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” must be filed by the importer providing sufficient information to determine ultimate disposition of the exempt lot and such disposition shall be so certified by the final receiver.
(d)
All FV-6 forms and other correspondence regarding entry of 8e commodities must be mailed to the Marketing Order Administration Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237, telephone (202) 720-2491.