DHL Worldwide Express pays $208,250 fine to USDA

DHL Worldwide Express pays $208,250 fine to USDA

   DHL Worldwide Express has paid a $208,250 civil penalty to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to settle numerous charges involving the improper handling of animal and plant shipments.

   “Most charges include releasing plant and animal products for shipment without proper authorization,” said the government agency in a statement. Additional charges include not providing the agency’s inspectors with advance notification of the cargo’s arrival.

   USDA has the authority to hold a shipment at the port of entry if there is reason to believe it may be infected with or exposed to any pest or disease until it’s inspected and authorized for release into the country.