Feds Ease Coffee Imports to Hawaii Over Pest Worries
Published Date: 8/5/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
We are proposing to amend the regulations regarding the importation of unroasted coffee and related articles into Hawaii and Puerto Rico by establishing a notice-based process for changes to the prohibitions on importing such articles. We would also broaden language regarding coffee pests. We are proposing these amendments because they would allow the Agency to more efficiently respond to market access requests as well as to emerging pest situations. These amendments would allow us to use a streamlined approach to update the importation conditions for unroasted coffee and related articles while continuing to protect plant health.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster approvals for green-coffee import requests
APHIS would replace full rulemaking with a notice-based process to authorize unroasted coffee, coffee leaves, or empty sacks for importation into Hawaii or Puerto Rico. APHIS must publish a pest risk analysis for at least 60 days of public comment and then publish a Federal Register notice announcing its decision; this streamlined path is intended to let importers and stakeholders get decisions faster than formal rulemaking.
Broader pest standard: 'quarantine pests'
The rule would remove references to two specific pests and replace them with the broader term "quarantine pest," defined as a pest not yet present or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled. This lets APHIS analyze and respond to a wider set of pest risks when deciding whether to allow imports into Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Possible wider green-bean supply and lower blend prices
While the proposed rule does not itself allow new imports, APHIS says the streamlined process could make it easier in the future to import more foreign-grown green coffee into Hawaii and Puerto Rico. If imports expand, consumers of blended coffee products in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere could see greater supply or lower prices for blends.
ACIR becomes the import-requirements source
APHIS would point importers to the USDA Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database for the names, origins, and specific requirements for any articles authorized for import into Hawaii and Puerto Rico. ACIR entries must be consulted online or requested in hard copy by phone or email.
Agency expects limited small-business effects
APHIS states its initial regulatory flexibility analysis found no reason to expect this proposed rule would cause a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities, but the Agency says it lacks some data and is inviting comments on potential effects.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-01836, Horse Protection Amendments; Postponement of Regulations
The USDA is delaying new horse protection rules that were set to start on February 1, 2025, pushing them back 60 days to April 2, 2025. These rules affect horse shows, exhibitions, and sales by requiring trained inspectors to catch soring, a harmful practice. This delay gives everyone more time to get ready without changing any fees or costs.
2026-19237, Bayer U.S.-Crop Science: Availability of a Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated Status and Draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Herbicide Resistant MON 96012 Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Bayer U.S.-Crop Science wants the green light to grow a new type of cotton that resists several herbicides, making weed control easier for farmers. The USDA is reviewing this request and asking the public to share their thoughts by November 20, 2026. If approved, this could change farming practices and possibly save money on weed management.
2026-18858, Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Field Release of Aceria salsolae (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Mite for Biological Control of Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus), in the Contiguous United States
The USDA is giving the green light to release a tiny mite called Aceria salsolae to help control the pesky Russian thistle (tumbleweed) across the central and western U.S. This natural solution aims to reduce the spread of this invasive weed without harming the environment, and permits for releasing the mite will be issued soon. Farmers and landowners can expect fewer tumbleweeds, making land management easier and potentially saving money on weed control.
2026-18021, Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Irradiation Treatment; Location of Facilities in the Southern United States
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the location of irradiation treatment facilities in the United States.
2026-18022, Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection: Environmental Monitoring
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with environmental monitoring.
2026-17596, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Determination of Nonregulated Status for Blight-Tolerant Darling 54 American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
We are advising the public of our determination that Darling 54 American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), which was developed using genetic engineering for tolerance to the fungal pathogen, Cryphonectria parasitica, is no longer considered regulated. Our determination is based on our evaluation of information and data submitted by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in its petition for a determination of nonregulated status, available scientific data, a plant pest risk assessment, and public comments received in response to previous notices announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and a draft plant pest risk assessment. This notice announces the availability of our written determination and supporting documents.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15845, National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions
We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). These amendments would, among other things, clarify existing provisions of the regulations, fix editorial errors, and align the regulations more closely with current producer practices. These proposed changes were voted on and approved by the voting delegates at the NPIP's 2024 National Plan Conference.
Next: 2026-15867, OCC Rules Regarding the Availability of OCC Information
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is proposing changes to its rules on information disclosure. The proposal would clarify the process for obtaining OCC approval to disclose non- public OCC information and allow for the disclosure of confidential supervisory information without OCC approval in certain circumstances, provided that applicable safeguards are observed. It also refines the OCC's process for requesting records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), amends the rules to provide for expedited process of FOIA requests, and makes other structural and conforming changes.