Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2019. Gloucester Marine Terminal, Holt Logistics.
Pineapples are usually shipped crownless as it allows to transport more units through denser packing. Further, crownless pineapples are less likely to carry pests as crowns are difficult to clean or fumigate. Thus, the smoother and more uniform a fruit is, the less likely it is to be inspected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Under such circumstances, bananas are among the fruits the least likely to be inspected, while the rate of inspection for pineapples is higher. CBP Inspections are usually done at a dedicated space within the cold chain terminal facility where the perishable shipments arrive by reefers. This allows for quick processing. If pests are found, the shipment may require to be fumigated before being allowed to clear customs.