# Federal Register #2026-20630

USDA APHIS Updates Fresh Cut Flower Import Requirements

**Buyer:** Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
**Posted:** October 08, 2026
**Identifier:** 2026-20630

USDA APHIS finalized regulatory changes governing imports of fresh cut flowers.
- **Government entity:** U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
- **Regulatory changes:** Import requirements for specific flower types will be maintained in USDA’s Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements database. Future updates will use a notice-based process that includes opportunities for public comment.
- **Plant health restrictions:** The rule removes chrysanthemum white rust-specific import restrictions for fresh cut flowers in the genera *Chrysanthemum*, *Leucanthemella*, and *Nipponanthemum*.
- **Procurement status:** This is a regulatory action, not a procurement or contract award. No products, services, quantities, part numbers, OEMs, or vendors are identified.

### Description

This final rule amends regulations governing imports of fresh cut flowers. It moves requirements for specific types of cut flowers from the regulations to the USDA Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements database and establishes a notice-based process for updating those requirements. It also removes restrictions on imports of fresh cut flowers in the genera Chrysanthemum, Leucanthemella, and Nipponanthemum from countries where chrysanthemum white rust is known to exist. The rule is effective November 9, 2026.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/08/2026-20630/cut-flowers-regulations-removal-of-chrysanthemum-white-rust-related-provisions)