importer
(A) Qualified handler (i) In general The term “qualified handler” means a person (including a cooperative) operating in the cut flowers or cut greens marketing system— (I) that sells domestic or imported cut flowers or cut greens to retailers and exempt handlers; and (II) whose annual sales of cut flowers and cut greens to retailers and exempt handlers are $750,000 or more. (ii) Inclusions and exclusions (I) In general The term “qualified handler” includes— (aa) bouquet manufacturers (subject to paragraph (2)(B)); (bb) an auction house that clears the sale of cut flowers and cut greens to retailers and exempt handlers through a central clearinghouse; and (cc) a distribution center that is owned or controlled by a retailer if the predominant retail business activity of the retailer is floral sales. (II) Transfers For the purpose of determining sales of cut flowers and cut greens to a retailer from a distribution center described in subclause (I)(cc), each non-sale transfer to a retailer shall be treated as a sale in an amount calculated as provided in subparagraph (C). (III) Transportation or delivery The term “qualified handler” does not include a person who only physically transports or delivers cut flowers or cut greens. (iii) Construction (I) In general The term “qualified handler” includes an importer or producer that sells cut flowers or cut greens that the importer or producer has imported into the United States or produced, respectively, directly to consumers and whose sales of the cut flowers and cut greens (as calculated under subparagraph (C)), together with sales of cut flowers and cut greens to retailers or exempt handlers, annually are $750,000 or more. (II) Sales Each direct sale to a consumer by a qualified handler described in subclause (I) shall be treated as a sale to a retailer or exempt handler in an amount calculated as provided in subparagraph (C). (III) Definitions As used in this paragraph: (aa) Importer The term “importer” has the meaning provided in section 6804(b)(2)(B)(i)(I) of this title . (bb) Producer The term “producer” has the meaning provided in section 6804(b)(2)(B)(ii)(I) of this title .