Shipping Point Inspection programs are operated under an agreement between USDA/AMS and the State Seed Department. Tuber inspection is done by federal state inspector, licensed by the USDA and provided for both seed and commercial potatoes.

For certified seed potatoes, lot inspections or shipping point inspections are done during packing and grading of potatoes, after the potatoes have passed field and storage inspections.

Tuber inspection grades for fresh and processing potatoes are established under United States Standards for Grades of Potatoes for Processing, and United States Standards for Grades of Potatoes for Chipping, unless otherwise determined by an agreement between buyer and seller.

According to North Dakota rules, seed potatoes can be labeled as follows:
 

1. BLUE TAG grade means that the seed lot is fulfilling the requirements for physical defects, condition and size as stated in the rules and regulations of administrative code. They are similar to U.S. No. 1 seed grade.
   
   
2. YELLOW TAG grade has higher tolerances for defects and sizes, but not for diseases that may affect the yield potential.
    
3. WHITE TAG is only for shipments within the state and may be done without grade inspection.

ND Seed potato grades can be found at NDCC 74-04-01-11.

Inspections are carried out at the request of the grower or purchaser by ND State Seed Department potato inspection staff. Inspections are not mandatory for fresh and processing potatoes. Inspections of seed potatoes are mandatory for seed shipped interstate, and voluntary for seed shipped intrastate. (See Labeling Requirements.) Inspections for processing are often used to determine payment to the producer.