Running the risk?

[SOS]

I'm wondering about getting a plant from Thailand without the paperwork off ebay? It's an Aeranthes henrici if you're wondering why I would even bother.

Has anyone had any success with something like this?

[RosieC]

From what I've read of people's experiences here you may be lucky, but you run the risk of anything from the plant being confiscated and getting an empty box with a note from the customs authority (not sure what you call it in the USA) all the way through to having the authorities turn up on your door step to find out how much you know about the 'smuggling' and whether you have illegally imported anything else.

I can't remember who it was, but I remember reading about someone here on OB who had the latter happen to them, when the seller had said they would handle all the paper work (but didn't). They were pretty freaked as the authorities were treating it very seriously.

Personally I would say it's not a good idea to risk it.

[camille1585]

Me neither, I wouldn't risk it, for all the reasons Rosie mentions. I too remember the thread about a person here that had some customs people show up on their doorstep. I believe the person didn't get in trouble because they had emails from the seller saying that they would take care of the paperwork. Otherwise I don't know how the entire story would have ended.

[RJSquirrel]

well theres a reason they dont have the paperwork, thought about that?

if the plants IMO were clean and green the paperwork would be no issue
if these people have had problems in the past they cant get the paperwork

you have no recourse when you bring something into your home and it starts to infect everything around it if in fact it is viral or diseased

THINK "Clean plants from reputable growers coming from overseas have no issues with paperwork"

If you have to have it, Go ahead but be prepared to pay the consequences for the plant lust

[calvin_orchidL]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

if the plants IMO were clean and green the paperwork would be no issue
if these people have had problems in the past they cant get the paperwork

Actually I think the paperwork is just prohibitive in general, regardless of whether the plants are clean or not. Paperwork needs to be sought from both sides (exporter and importer), and inspectors need to be brought in. CITES, which is a whole different set of hurdles, can also be a b***h to deal with (this plant is probably flask sown, btw, as it doesn't grow native in Thailand). Even reputable nurseries in US won't ship to Canada (although honestly, I don't see what's stopping the birds and insects from just FLYING across the border) because the paperwork is too tedious.

That said, I don't know how customs works in the US and what sort of repercussions there are, so I'd heed the advice of Rosie et al.

PS - I saw that listing yesterday...tempting, isn't it? But I believe there are local sources for this plant in the states...a bit expensive though. And as I'm sure you know, henricii is prone to dropping dead spontaneously in response to a stray draft in the wrong direction...might not survive the long trip across the ocean. Lastly, that seller has 0 feedback...warning!

[Daethen]

I have seen these auctions as well. Yes they are tempting. Some will even say that importing permits etc are the responsibility of the buyer. I stay away from them because who knows WHAT they really send, IF they really send and how much trouble do I want to be in for a plant?

[johnblagg]

all the reasons listed so far are great ...add to that no papers allso means probably no inspection for pests or disease ......do you really want to be the one that is responsible for the blue spotted red in the face new eco disaster imported from overseas

[Bird Song Farm]

I've been tempted many times. LOL
I'd advise against it as the rest have said.

Not worth the consequences for all the reasons stated.

[SOS]

I kind of chalk it up as the paper work is more costly than the plant itself. I very much doubt that it is huge liability in terms of viral or pest issues. The couple I have seen are indeed seedlings that have to be a year or two out of flask at most.

Local sources for this species? I'd much rather support our countries growers than doing anything overseas but I've been on the lookout for this plant, asking every person that grows Angraecoids for four years. Hoosiers had a couple that never did anything before they closed, Andy Philips told me they had a some population and he had SAD (sudden Aeranthes death), and then there is the Malala order with Botanica. Of which, I would almost prefer a Thai grown plant. I'll probably wait for the Malala buy in, but it is VERY tempting to have that species. Especially since the plant lust would make me give a toe for one of these!

[ronaldhanko]

I'm one of those that have had a bad experience with this - saw a plant I badly wanted, wrote the seller who promised all the necessary paperwork (I had to pay for that, too), but sent the plant with no paperwork at all. I received and empty package with a note from the USDA and when I wrote the seller received no replies to my emails - only recourse was to complain to Ebay. You're just wasting your money. Should add, too, that the USDA watches packages from certain countries and certain people for just this kind of thing.