Why Chestnuts Can’t Be Shipped Into California

If you’ve ever wondered why many farms don’t ship chestnuts into California, the answer lies in state agriculture laws. It’s not about logistics or unwillingness — it’s about protecting crops from pests and disease.

California’s Strict Agricultural Rules

California has some of the most rigorous agricultural regulations in the country. These laws protect local farms and orchards from pests and diseases that can hitch a ride on fresh produce, nuts, or plants.

Chestnuts can carry pests like the chestnut weevil or diseases such as chestnut blight. To prevent these threats, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) restricts the shipment of fresh chestnuts from other U.S. states.

How Imported Chestnuts Are Treated

California does allow imported chestnuts from other countries, but they must undergo strict inspection and treatment:

• Inspection at the port of entry to ensure nuts are free of pests or disease.

• Phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country verifying compliance with California agricultural standards.

• Fumigation or heat treatment to eliminate any potential pests.

• Quarantine compliance, with monitoring as necessary before the nuts can be sold.

These measures ensure imported chestnuts are safe while protecting California’s agricultural industry.

What This Means for Consumers

For customers, this means that chestnuts shipped from other U.S. states cannot enter California, but imported chestnuts are treated and allowed after inspection. Meanwhile, Harrison’s California Chestnuts can ship fresh sweet chestnuts nationwide directly from our orchard in Butte County, Northern California.

By buying directly from a grower like Harrison’s, chestnuts arrive fresh, high-quality, and ready for roasting, baking, or cooking — without any long delays or compromises in flavor.

Enjoy Chestnuts Nationwide

Whether roasted by the fire, baked into seasonal recipes, or tried for the first time, chestnuts are a fall tradition worth savoring. Thanks to safe shipping and careful farming, customers across the U.S. can enjoy fresh California-grown chestnuts each season.

👉 [Order Fresh Chestnuts Online]