Exporting orchids in sterile flasks to Brazil

[JScott]

My best orchid friend in Brazil, where I spend every summer, desperately wants a plant that I have, and has searched high and low for it in Brazil, and cannot find it. I believe I read somewhere that exporting orchids in sterile flasks is much easier than bringing fully grown plants, but I cannot attest to the accuracy of that. I searched here and couldn't find any information relevant to the specific situation I have in mind.

I would use one of the various labs that offer meristem cloning services to grow me a flask or two of this plant, and then I would hand carry it to Brazil still in the sterile flask on my next trip there. Does anybody know what is involved in that? I can google stuff, but most of what I can find has to do with importing live plants into the US, but I cannot find any information about hand carrying mericlones in sterile flasks from the US to Brazil. Does anybody have any insight on this?

[estación seca]

Your friend needs to go to the Brasilian agriculture department and find out what is required for import of orchids to Brasil.

If it is clearly labeled as a hybrid no CITES permits will be required. If it is a species Brasil will probably require a CITES import permit and the US will probably require a CITES export permit. I think US Fish & Wildlife manages CITES export permits but you should check.

[Fairorchids]

Several years ago, I considered hand carrying flasks on a flight.
I tried to clarify with the TSA, whether I would be permitted to bring flasks through security and on board (they have greater than 4 oz holding capacity, even though the actual liquid/gel content is less than 4 oz).

The morons could only recite the 4 oz rule. Despite multiple attempts (and submitting photos of orchid flasks), I was incapable of getting through to anyone, who would stop for a moment and consider the actual question.

In the end I gave up (the value of the flasks was to high to risk loosing them into a garbage can).

[JScott]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll tell Bruno to check with the property authorities on his end, and I'll check on my end. The plant he wants is a hybrid, so CITES won't be a problem. Mostly I just wanted to know if it was possible, and it seems it is, so I'll proceed with my research on the USA end of this, and Bruno his research on the Brazilian end. Thanks y'all! You've been a big help. And ES's body of knowledge is always impressive. I'm was hoping you had something to say about this.

[Ray]

The export part is easy.

As the flask medium is a gel, not a liquid, and they contain sterile plants, you ought to be able to convince DHS folks it's not an issue.

The importation is always the critical part. Bruno needs to do his homework...well!

[Mr.Fakename]

I just received flasking media and a bunch of other stuff, that was sent from USA to France.

I don't know how it would work if you take this in a plane with you, but chemicals contained in the media are labelled as dangerous and had to be declared at customs.

I'd suggest you to look at both countries' regulations about the HS Code 3821.00.0000.

[JScott]

I could always pack them in my checked bag. I always enter the country and go through customs in Sao Paulo, and they're not looking at white Americans entering the country. They never even glance at me at customs. I've never been asked any questions, they have never checked my baggage, or scrutinized me in any way. I just get off the plane and sail right through customs line that says "nada de declarar" and passport control like I don't even exist. It makes me nervous tho to bring agricultural products across international borders without the proper paperwork. Just because nobody has ever paid attention to me in Sao Paulo doesn't mean they ever will.

I'll have Bruno look into what is required on his end. I'm not worried about getting them out of the US, it's getting them into Brazil that worries me. We have plenty of time to do the research tho. It will take some time for me to have the plant cloned and for the replate flasks to mature enough that they are ready to come out.