China’s Zika Rules Raise Fears for U.S. Exporters

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Trade

Zika is big news in Florida and across the country, and now that China has moved to add the U.S. to a list of Zika-infected countries is worrying U.S. exporters.

Pro Farmer’s First Thing Today reports U.S. exporters fear they will be required to fumigate all containers destined for China, costing an estimated $100 to $200 per container. Exporters who ship everything from agriculture products and chemicals to engine parts say they fear that conflicting information from Chinese customs officials about the new requirements could result in delays and lost business.

Small and medium exporters say they stand to be hurt the most from any supply-chain disruptions. American exporters ship about 5.1 million containers, worth about $255 billion a year to China, according to the Agriculture Transportation Coalition.

(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters News Service)