• Rice straw is a carrier for various fungal infections and pests.autumn rice field texture image by Radu Razvan from Fotolia.com
  
  As of November 3, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Customs and Border Protection agency have placed restrictions on the importation of rice straw. These restrictions have been put in place because rice straw can serve as a carrier for several fungal diseases and insect pests, which can damage native rice crops. Importation of rice straw into the United States requires permission from the port authority to which you are importing the rice straw. If you are importing large quantities then you must import your shipment through a port in the northern United States.
  
  

Commercial Rice Straw

• Rice straw that is imported in quantities that weight more than 25 pounds, and is not being imported for manufacturing purposes, is considered a commercial import. If you plan on importing more than 25 pounds of rice straw to the United States then you should plan on importing it to a port in the northern United States that is equipped with dry heat or steam sterilization facilities. You'll need to contact the port in advance to receive written authorization and fill out appropriate paperwork. If the port doesn't have sterilization facilities then you'll need to obtain written permission from the port authority and authorize shipment of your rice straw to a suitably apportioned sterilization facility.
  
  Don't import commercial quantities of rice straw to a port in the southern United States, as it will hold your shipment and place it in a quarantine for examination.
  
  

Noncommercial Rice Straw

• Quantities of rice straw that weigh less than 25 pounds are considered non-commercial importation by the USDA. Import the rice straw to a port that has steam or dry heat sterilization facilities after you obtain permission and fill out paperwork with the port authority. If you import to a facility without proper sterilization capabilities then you'll need to authorize shipment to another port at your expense.
  
  

Rice Straw for Manufacture

• If you plan on importing rice straw for manufacturing purposes, then you must obtain a written permit from a port in the northern United States. You must submit all paperwork deemed necessary by the port authority and your shipment may be subject to pesticidal fumigation. If you choose a northern port that does not have sterilization facilities then you must provide the port with authorization to transmit your shipment to one more appropriately equipped.
  
  Any attempt to import rice straw for manufacture to a non-northern port will result in your shipment being held at the port; if this happens you'll need to contact the port for further instructions.