Moving from USA to EU

[Seri]

If you don't want to go through miles of legislation, you should write to the Customs Authority from the EU contry you plan to move (they might have on-line submission forms), explaining your exact situation. I did so when buying (not importing - thats for companies) plants from Korea. Our authority (in EU) layed down the applicable laws and explained what is allowed and in what conditions. In my case i didn't even need Phito Certificates due to low quantity of plants (2) and the absence of potting media. Good luck!

[Ray]

The USFWS is the "responsible party" in the US. Like Kim said, they have been known to interpret things in interesting ways.

A lot of folks whined when they would not let Paph. vietnamense into the country, even though other countries had allowed it. Their reasoning (which I supported) was, at that point in time, that Vietnam had never issued any CITES certificates.

[Fuerte Rav]

Can you fit 10-20 orchids in a carry-on bag?

[401Orchids]

I have imported orchids the opposite way before, an orchid grower in Germany helped me with getting the phytosanitary certificate and I had to apply for a USDA import license, and just had to make sure I applied a few months in advance to get it in time. The main reason species are not allowed is to protect endangered species in the wild, while most are grown in cultivation within the hobby I think.

[tmoney]

hmmm, i dunno man....american expat here, so that’s the only relevance i have here.

but, part of me feels like if you washed all media out of the roots, didn’t bring any pots, checked them in with your checked bags, labeled clearly, you prolly wouldn’t hear a thing about it. assuming it’s 10-15 plants of different varieties.

part of me also thinks, at worst they take your plants and you claim ignorance (prolly work depending on country) and then you are at worst case scenario.

perhaps in the wrong country at the wrong time you may face legal consequences, but i think that is a very low probability. so, thin the herd to the absolute necesesties and take your chances using caution would be my advice!

funny story, i moved to alaska by truck, in the bed of which i had several staves of seasoned osage orange i had cut to make bows with. i seasoned that wood for over 10 years before that trip, so this was special wood. well, crossing into canada the border patrol didn’t care about my actual weapons, they cared that i was carrying wood...but not the actual wood, it was that the staves all still had bark. because osage was not anywhere on any list, the reluctantly let me pass i with a strong warning...suffice to say i am reluctant to cross borders with plant material now

edit to add...basically if it is clear that you are relocating to a new country, the border officials are more kind and interested than anything. you may actually find someone would take interest in your orchids, rather than want to find some legal issue to take with you....at least this is my experience with a lot of europe.

but, second edit, you most likely will have to fill out a customs form, and answer the usual question at check in about carrying liquids or biological material, etc. then you have to make that choice. you need to tell them you have plants, but if it was me i would massage the truth and say that yeah, im moving and im checking a couple houseplants that i wanted to bring with me. you are inviting a look at that point, but yeah, all those decisions only you can make! hahaha,,,, im not sure doing everyth8ng totally above board would be financially and timely worth it. but only you know how special these plants are!

[rbarata]

Permits exist for good reasons and claiming ignorance doesn't make them disappear.

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Permits exist for good reasons and claiming ignorance doesn't make them disappear.

very true. i feel compelled to reiterate that anyone travels at their own risk, with anything. i can only advocate for common sense, by all parties. perhaps it’s the american in me that says yeah, just go for it and it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission, that’s when claiming ignorance would be my default mo. and personally, i feel permits do have their place, and that’s for large scale imports, illegal collection, and invasive species. but if it’s you, you take all precautions against bugs (more than local nurseries prolly) with a couple really special plants that you’ve had for years....well....
ok fine, perhaps you deserve some fine for that

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that you may be much better off selling your plants here and purchasing another set in the country you're going to.
As I am not particularly fond of excessive paper work and various fees required and additional transport delays and possible quarantine required upon arrival and inspection. Unless your plants are exceptionally rare and or have emotional attachment such as special gift from a loved one etc... why not see if you can replace them in your destination country and avoid all the hassle?

[claypot]

If it is the UK you are contemplating take very great care. DEFRA are draconian with their checks and it is very expensive. Hand luggage is Xrayed too and plant material is identified . I have looked into this recently and the response was.....
Please see the link below for details of how to apply.

Apply for CITES permits and certificates to move or trade endangered species - GOV.UK


The Orchid hybrids are treated for CITES purposes as being in the highest appendix of the species if there is a difference between them.

[vanda2020]

I think in the end, you will end up selling here and buying new there. If you end up in the UK, they are having problems with importing orchids in from the EU. You will see online YouTube growers in the UK complain how expensive it is to buy a plant in the EU and ship to the UK. Now they do not even bother to do it as they need all these expensive permits. After all that, the plant gets to be so unaffordable. Hobby growers in the UK resort now to getting plants from other members who have orchids, or what little suppliers are left. Good Luck.