Ana Ramos is a licensed customs broker and partner with her husband, Frank Ramos, owners of The Perishable Specialist Inc. in Miami. The company is a leading brokerage firm specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables.

“We are anticipating a good solid season with some increases based on customer acquisitions and new deals from existing customers,” Ramos told The Produce News. “Blueberries from Guatemala have enjoyed gradual but consistent increases in volumes over the past three seasons.”

Ramos added that besides Guatemala, the company’s largest berry-producing countries are Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

“Depending on the category, blackberries are dominated by Guatemala, while blueberries and raspberries are dominated by Chile,” she explained. “All indications are that this will be another great season for us, and we look forward to that euphoric feeling at the sight of the first blueberry air waybill indicating the start of the season.”

The Perishable Specialist is completely dedicated to fruits and vegetables, which Ramos said serves the importer best because every ounce of effort is concentrated within the produce industry.

“We are the epitome of streamlined process, and solely dedicated to fruits and vegetables, which represent 99.9 percent of our day-to-day business,” she said. “We are more efficient because we are true perishable specialists.

“As in all aspects of life, relationships are key and this industry is no exception,” she continued. “The Perishable Specialist’s staff has the ability to effectively communicate and engage the different government agencies that oversee the importation of fruits and vegetables into the U.S.”

Ramos noted that the bulk of the imported berries in past seasons have gone to Miami, Philadelphia and to western U.S. ports.

But because Miami has amazing international air traffic, the company witnesses a huge percentage of air-flown berries arriving at its home port of Miami.

“Ocean containers will trend between Miami, Philadelphia and the West Coast,” she added. “We are a remote location filer, which allows us to file entry at all ports in the U.S. We have an extensive peer-to-peer network, which provides legs at all major ports of the U.S. should the need for physical representation be necessary in cases where we are not present.”

The Perishable Specialist’s sound relationships extend to the most efficient carriers for both land and ocean, as well as some modern and efficient cold storage facilities.

“We are able to coordinate on behalf of our importers and be a bridge for them and their logistical needs,” said Ramos.

The company is also totally dedicated to staying abreast of every change in an existing or a new regulation related to the importation of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as one announced in June by U.S. Customs.

“Customs notified the trade that effective July 9, 2013, it would apply the existing liquidated damage provisions to ISF’s [Importer Security Filing],” said Ramos.

“It is important that all importers confirm with their shippers that all ISF information is accurate and timely in order to avoid penalties. Customs will bill penalties to the importer of record and/or consignee listed on the bill of lading.”

She advises people wanting to import a perishable item for the first time to contact a customs broker.

“Ask for information,” she said. “I always tell new importers what the most basic permits we will ask for are, which is a good starting point in setting them on an educational path. Prior to sending that item on a plane or shipping your first container, it is imperative that all permits are filed, registrations submitted and that admissibility is confirmed.”

The Perishable Specialist also coordinates the fumigation of commodities on a daily basis. This is called for when there are items that require fumigation as a condition of entry into the U.S. or because an actionable pest has been intercepted.

“We are involved in fumigation procedures for commodities arriving into East and West Coast ports by air and ocean container,” Ramos went on to say.

Because The Perishable Specialist’s personnel is dedicated to the produce industry, its process is geared toward getting customers’ ocean containers or air arrivals of fresh fruit and vegetables cleared and to their warehouses in what Ramos said is in “lickety-split” timing so customers can concentrate on what they do best: selling fresh produce.