Fruit in any form is illegal. Seized and if you didn't declare it you'll be fined also.
I wouldn't even be sure on shipping it in advance--customs has the same right to inspect international packages as they do travellers and they'll stop the same things.
Since this is apparently a precursor to importing I'm sure there are channels somehow you can go through as there are fruit imports into the US. I have no idea how this is accomplished, though.