Overview of PACA

A User's Guide to the PACA
  ·  Introduction
  ·  Table of Contents

Table of Contents

USING THE GUIDE
    A. General Information About the Third Edition of the Guide
    B. Using the Guide
    C. Overview of the Sections of the Guide
    D. Supplemental Information to the Guide

I. OVERVIEW OF THE PACA
    A. The PACA Branch
    B. PACA's Website
    C. Enforcing PACA's Rules
    D. The PACA Trust
    E. Dispute Resolution
    F. Advice About PACA
    Chart: Main Parts Of The PACA
    PACA OFFICES

II. LICENSING UNDER PACA
    A. Who Must Be Licensed
    B. What If A Company Does Not Obtain A License?
    C. Obtaining A License
    D. Reporting Changes
    E. License Fees
    F. License Renewal
    G. Denial Of License
    H. Licensing Ruses
    Form: License Application
    Form: License Renewal Application
    Chart: Businesses That Must Be Licensed, License Fees And The
    Application Process

III. UNFAIR CONDUCT
    A. Operating Without A License
    B. Engaging In Fraudulent Activity
        1. Rebates
        2. Kickbacks
    C. Failing To Pay Or Paying Slowly
    D. Using Unapproved Trade Name
    E. Failing To Maintain The Trust
    F. Employing A Restricted Person
    G. Failing To Maintain Records
    H. Refusing To Allow USDA To Re-view Records
    I. Misbranding
    J. Altering Inspection Certificates

IV. THE TRUST
    A. Preserving Trust Rights
        1. The Invoice Method
            a. Paper Invoicing
            b. Electronic Invoicing
        2. The Trust Notice Method
        3. Payment Terms
        4. Restaurants
        5. Non-U.S. Shippers
    B. What To Do After You Are A Trust Creditor
    C. What Assets Are Subject To The Trust
    D. Liability Of Individuals
    E. Liability of Banks
    Form: Trust Notice For Non-Licensees
    Chart: How A Produce Seller Preserves Its Trust Rights And Collects In
    The Event Of Nonpayment

V. REPARATION CASES
    A. Informal Proceedings
        1. Mediation
        2. Informal Opinion
    B. Formal Proceedings
        1. Complaint And Answer
        2. Evidence Stage
            a. Shortened Procedure Case
            b. Oral Hearing Case
        3. Briefing Stage
        4. Decision And Order
        5. After The Decision
            a. Reconsideration
            b. Satisfy The Order
            c. Appeal
            d. Do Nothing
    C. How Long Does A Reparation Case Take?
    D. Why Not Just Go To Court?
    E. When Is A Lawyer Necessary?
    F. Dealing With Canada and Mexico
    Form: Reparation Complaint
    Chart: Course Of A Reparation Case

VI. DISCIPLINARY CASES
    A. The Formal Complaint And Answer
    B. The Hearing Stage
    C. The Decision
    D. Sanctions
        1. Revocation
        2. Suspension
        3. Fines
        4. Publication
    E. Appeal Rights
    F. Need For A Lawyer
    Chart: Course Of A Disciplinary Case

VII. USDA INVESTIGATIONS
    A. How An Investigation Begins
    B. Notification Requirements
    C. What To Do If Notified Of An Investigation
    D. What Records Can USDA Obtain
    E. Do Company Officials Have To Talk With Investigators
    F. Failing To Cooperate With An Investigation
    Chart: How A PACA Investigation Proceeds

VIII. RESPONSIBLY CONNECTED CASES
    A. Who Is Responsibility Connected?
    B. Can A Person Challenge A Responsibly Connected Determination?
    C. What Are The Restrictions?
        1. Suspension
            a. Employment Restrictions
            b. Licensing Restrictions
        2. Revocation
            a. Employment Restrictions
            b. Licensing Restrictions
    D. What Happens To A Responsibly Connected Person Who Works
    When Prohibited?
    E. What Happens To An Employer That Hires A Responsibly
    Connected Person?
    F. What Is Employment?
    Chart: How A Responsibly Connected Case Proceeds

IX. BONDS
    A. Employee Bond
    B. Licensee Bond
    C. Appeal Bond
    D. Nonresident Bond In Reparation Cases
    Form: License Bond
    Form: Employment Bond

X. CONTRACT PROBLEMS
    A. Rejection, Acceptance And Revocation Of Acceptance
        1. Rejection
            a. Time
            b. Notice
            c. Basis For Rejection
            d. After Rejection
            e. Mexican Tomatoes
        2. Acceptance
        3. Revocation of Acceptance
    B. Failure to Deliver
    C. Long-Term Contracts
        1. Failure to Accept
        2. Failure to Pay
    D. Full Satisfaction Check
    E. Common Sale Terms