Moving from USA to EU

[jldriessnack]

In a few years, I might need to move to the EU. If I want to bring 10-20 orchids from my personal collection, aside from a phytosanitary certificate, is there anything else I require? Can I just bring it in luggage? And what does the certificate require? Has anyone done this?

[rbarata]

I'm not sure if you need anything more but you must not treat the EU as a whole in this subject because each country has its own specificities that superseed EU laws.

[estación seca]

Any orchid species and some hybrids require CITES permits, from the exporting country and the importing country.

[Keysguy]

In a few years, I might need to move to the EU.

Wow. Somewhere in there is a response that would be sure to get me banned from here for life for talking politics!

[jcec1]

So the UK won't be in the EU, but at the moment here are the regulations which will be similar in other EU countries and it's in English.

Importing plants, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and other regulated objects to the UK - GOV.UK

[Ray]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Any orchid species and some hybrids require CITES permits, from the exporting country and the importing country.

What hybrids? I thought hybrids, being man-made, were not included in CITES.

Importing countries do not issue CITES certs.

[rbarata]

I believe the list of species and hybrids change for each country.

[estación seca]

Some hybrids are covered if the ancestors were not imported legally.

And some countries, like the US, do require CITES import permits.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Some hybrids are covered if the ancestors were not imported legally.

I have never heard that one. Maybe domestic trade may be curtailed, but that is not a CITES thing.

And some countries, like the US, do require CITES import permits.

CITES certificates are an export permit or re-export certificate issued by the Management Authority of the State of export or re-export. An export permit may be issued only if the specimen was legally obtained; the trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species; and an import permit has already been issued. The importing country would have no knowledge if those requirements are met (except that last one, of course).

Yes, the US requ8ires that a CITES certificate accompany the shipment, but the US only issues them when plants are being exported from the US.

The documentation required consists of the CITES certificate, a phytosanitary certificate, the USDA APHIS Import Permit label of the importer, and proper labeling of the plants themselves.

[Fairorchids]

As mentioned by others, interpretation & implimentation of CITES is up to individual countries - and sometimes individual officials.

In Denmark, one importer had two complete shipments confiscated and destroyed (though some plants mysteriously showed up later), simply because the customs officer clearing the shipment decided that the CITES certificate from the exporting country was 'probably fake'.

No recourse and no compensation for the loss.