As part of a pilot program to expedite trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has extended by two hours its operation of the commercial facility at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales.
The new hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The extended hours began Jan. 1 will end at the conclusion of the produce season in May.
On the first day of this pilot program, only a few companies took advantage of the extended hours. However, as the week progressed more and more companies began to utilize the two additional hours, according to CBP.
More than 60 percent of all the fresh winter produce imported into the United States crosses through the Mariposa Port of Entry.
In addition to the extended hours, the Nogales Port of Entry will remain open as long as there are trucks in line waiting to enter the country.
