This report presents a detailed analysis of a Bill of Lading (B/L) record documenting the shipment of Turkish dried apricots (HTS 081310) consigned to Setton International Foods Inc. The shipment, dated October 19, 2016, originated from Mersin, Turkey and was transshipped through Valencia, Spain before arriving at the New York/Newark Area, Newark, New Jersey. The cargo consisted of 18,550 kg of dried apricots packed in 1,400 cartons within a single 20-foot dry container (MEDU2813656).
Setton International Foods Inc. is one of the largest dried fruit processors and importers in the United States, headquartered in Commack, New York. This B/L record exemplifies the complex multi-port routing commonly used in Turkish dried apricot exports to the US market, where goods are transshipped through Mediterranean hubs such as Valencia, Spain to optimize container consolidation and reduce shipping costs on the transatlantic crossing.
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| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Consignee Name | Setton International Foods Inc. |
| Consignee Address | 85 Austin Boulevard, Commack, NY 11720, USA |
| Notify Party | Setton International Foods Inc. |
| Notify Address | 85 Austin Boulevard, Commack, NY 11725, USA |
| Shipper Name | **** (Confidential) |
| Shipper Address | **** (Confidential) |

Mersin is Turkey's primary Mediterranean export port for agricultural products including dried apricots. The Malatya region, known as the apricot capital of the world, supplies the vast majority of Turkey's dried apricot exports. Goods are transported overland from Malatya to the Mersin port facilities for containerization and onward international shipment.

The Port of Valencia is Spain's largest Mediterranean port and a major transshipment hub for cargo moving between the Eastern Mediterranean and North America. Turkish dried apricot shipments are frequently consolidated at Valencia before being loaded onto larger vessels for the transatlantic crossing, optimizing per-unit shipping costs.

The Port of Newark (New York/Newark Area) is the largest port on the US East Coast and a primary entry point for dried fruit imports into the northeastern United States. Setton International Foods' headquarters in Commack, NY is approximately 50 miles from the port, providing efficient logistics for container pickup and warehouse delivery.

MTS Logistics Inc served as the freight forwarder for this shipment, with the ocean carrier being MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) vessel MSC Lucy on voyage 638A. MSC is one of the world's largest container shipping lines, and the MSC Lucy (Lloyd's Code 9289104) operated the westbound Mediterranean-to-US route for this consignment.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| B/L Date | 2016-10-19 |
| Bill of Lading Number | MTSGMER011629 |
| Master B/L Number | MSCURQ432503 |
| Container Number | MEDU2813656 |
| Container Type | 1 x 20' DC (Dry Container) |
| Carrier | MTS LOGISTICS INC |
| Vessel Name | MSC LUCY |
| Voyage Number | 638A |
| Lloyd's Code | 9289104 |
| Commodity | DRIED APRICOTS - 1,400 Cartons - Gross Weight 18,550 KGS |
| HTS Code | 081310 |
| Country of Origin | Turkey |
| Place of Receipt | Mersin, Turkey |
| Foreign Port of Lading | Valencia, Spain |
| U.S. Port of Unlading | New York/Newark Area, Newark, New Jersey |
| U.S. Destination Port | New York/Newark Area, Newark, New Jersey |
| Net Weight | 18,550.0 KG |
| Quantity | 1,400 CTN (Cartons) |
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| HTS Code | 081310 |
| Chapter | 08 - Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons |
| Subheading | 0813.10 - Dried apricots |
| Product Description | Apricots, dried, whether or not sulfured, whole, sliced or broken |
| Standard Unit | Kilogram (KG) |
| Typical Duty Rate (US) | Varies; Turkey may qualify for preferential rates under trade agreements |
| Global Production Leaders | Turkey (~65-70% global share), Iran, South Africa, Uzbekistan |
| Key US Importers | Setton International Foods, Tropicon Foods, Mariani Packing, Atli Group |
Setton International Foods Inc. is one of the largest and most prominent dried fruit companies in the United States. Headquartered at 85 Austin Boulevard in Commack, New York, the company operates extensive processing facilities and distribution networks. Setton is a major handler of dried apricots, pistachios, raisins, and other tree nuts and dried fruits. Their proximity to the Port of Newark provides a significant logistical advantage for receiving containerized shipments from Mediterranean and global suppliers.
The route from Mersin to Newark via Valencia represents one of the most established and efficient logistics corridors for Turkish dried fruit exports to the US East Coast. Valencia's role as a Mediterranean transshipment hub allows multiple Turkish export containers to be consolidated onto larger vessels, reducing per-unit transportation costs. The total transit time for this multi-port route typically ranges from 25 to 40 days depending on vessel schedules, port congestion, and transshipment timing at Valencia.
This shipment packed 18,550 kg of dried apricots into 1,400 cartons within a single 20-foot dry container (MEDU2813656), translating to approximately 13.25 kg per carton. This is consistent with standard commercial packing densities for dried apricots. A 20-foot dry container can typically accommodate between 18,000 and 22,000 kg of dried apricots depending on carton dimensions, packing method, and moisture content of the product.
Dried apricots imported under HTS 081310 are subject to FDA oversight under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP). USDA-APHIS enforces phytosanitary requirements, and shipments may be subject to FDA Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE) if originating from facilities with compliance issues. Sulfur dioxide residues are also monitored by the FDA, with maximum permissible levels established for dried apricots.
About Setton International Foods Inc.: Setton International Foods Inc. is a New York-based food import, processing, and distribution company headquartered in Commack, NY. The company is one of the largest dried fruit and nut handlers in the United States, specializing in dried apricots, pistachios, walnuts, and mixed fruit products. Their location on Long Island provides strategic access to both the Port of Newark and the densely populated northeastern US consumer market, making them a key node in the American dried fruit supply chain.
Trade Data Value: Bill of Lading records like this one provide essential intelligence for international trade analysis. Companies use this data to identify potential suppliers, track competitor import activities, analyze market trends, and assess trade volumes. The dried apricot trade between Turkey and the United States represents a significant commodity flow, with Setton International Foods consistently ranking among the top US importers by volume and shipment frequency.
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