Citrus License and Bond

Anyone who attempts to make profit off of Florida citrus in any manner whatsoever other than by selling Florida citrus at retail (directly to the consumer and not for resale) is required to obtain a citrus fruit dealers license.

Applications for citrus fruit dealer licenses may be obtained from the Florida Department of Citrus, P.O. Box 9010, Bartow, FL 33831-9010, or by calling (863) 537-3999.

The cost of a citrus license is $25.

Once a completed application is received by the Department of Citrus, the license may be approved and issued within a two-week period, assuming there are no problems.

FDACS encourages all who sell fresh fruits and vegetables at flea markets or roadside stands to apply for an Agricultural Dealer's License. It is required for all sales except cash-only sales.

As long as you sell directly to the consumer (retail) and the purchaser is not to re-sell the product (wholesale), no other license is required other than what may be required by county or city regulations. 

Anyone buying uninspected citrus for resale, whether on or off the tree, must have a citrus fruit dealers license. Anyone who is interested in obtaining a citrus fruit dealers license must contact the FDACS Citrus License and Bond Office at (863) 578-1900 for details.

The purchase of uninspected citrus is permitted only if it is “direct from the producer,” and it can only be resold as retail directly to the consumer, not for resale (unless the seller has a fruit dealers license, which would permit it to be sold wholesale).

Avocados that have not been inspected can be purchased, but it is limited to one 55-pound transaction per day by the seller.

Inspection is not required for the commercial sale of tomatoes as long as they are not to be exported outside the regulated area, which is defined as south of the Florida-Georgia line and east of the Suwannee River.

Yes. Fruits and vegetables grown in Florida that are covered by federal marketing orders include grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, tangelos, avocados, limes and tomatoes. Such fruits and vegetables must be inspected and certificates issued prior to commercial shipment west of the Suwannee River.

Florida is currently under a statewide quarantine by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and no citrus may leave the state unless the USDA has issued a limited permit. No Florida-grown citrus may enter any citrus-producing states or territories. This includes citrus for personal use. For more information, please contact the Division of Plant Industry at 1-800-282-5153. Citrus-producing states and territories include: American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A limit of up to 50 pounds of uninspected tomatoes per person may be exported provided they are not a part of a shipment exceeding 50 pounds.

A limit of up to 55 pounds of uninspected avocados may be exported from Florida provided these avocados are not part of a shipment exceeding 55 pounds.

It is contingent on where the fruits and vegetables are going and what type of fruits or vegetables are to be taken out of state.

As far as the state of Florida is concerned, the only types of fruits and vegetables that are regulated are “regulated citrus," “Florida-grown tomatoes” and “Florida-grown avocados," of which the following amounts may be taken out of the state without inspection (but still having to meet phytosanitary requirements) to a single individual for their own use and not for resale: fifteen 4/5 bushel equivalent of regulated citrus (12 bushels), 50 pounds of Florida tomatoes, and 55 pounds of Florida avocados. All other fruits and vegetable have no requirements and can be taken out regardless of volume.

There are no grade or size restrictions on produce moving into Florida from other states. However, certification is required for some fruits and vegetables showing that these commodities are disease or pest free. Contact the Division of Plant Industry at 1-800-282-5153 or the Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement at (850) 922-6507 for more information.

There are restrictions on fruits and vegetables going to or leaving some areas. These restrictions may vary from time to time. Check with the USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine officers at airports for current restrictions. Information may also be obtained from the Division of Plant Industry by calling 1-800-282-5153.

Growers who sell directly to consumers do not need a citrus fruit dealers license. You must complete an "Affidavit of Grove Owner," which is provided by the Division of Fruit and Vegetables. Please call (863) 578-1900 for more information. 

You must also comply with Department of Citrus Rule 20-44(c), which states: "All sales are made on or directly from the tree or from a display bin or other open container and sales are direct to a consumer and not for resale or out of state transportation; such fruit shall not be placed in a bag or other closed container until after it is sold to the consumer."

Any person may complain of any violation of any of the provisions of Chapter 601.66 (1), Florida Statutes, by any citrus fruit dealer during any shipping season. The procedure is addressed with the filing of a written complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at any time prior to May 1 of the year immediately following the end of such shipping season.

Download a complaint form (Grower Complaint Form[ ], Dealer Complaint Form[ ]) or call the Office of Citrus License and Bond in Bartow at (863) 578-1900 and ask for a complaint form to be mailed to you. Fill out the form and return it to:

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Citrus License and Bond
Division of Fruit and Vegetables
170 Century Blvd., Ste. A
Bartow, FL 33830-7700

No. Florida Statute 603.152 requires limes grown in Florida to be inspected for minimum size and juice content.