Orchid Shipping/Importing Laws - Orchid Board

emmajs243 · #1 04-15-2019, 10:16 PM

Hey everyone!

SO! I am finally to the point of looking at the occasional orchid from places like brazil etc. that did NOT come from the wild but was just grown and started down there. This made me wonder, what do I need to know to legally make this want a reality! I DO know, that there are things like phytosanitary certs and....CITES? CITIES? I can't be sure...BUT I don't know if this is it OR when are these required and when are they not required?

This then also made me think to the orchids I have ordered already from within the USA and how they have that sticker on the box through the dept. of Ag which THEN made me think, as a buyer, I feel like I need to know the rules/laws for ordering orchids in states AND internationally so I at least protect myself right?

I don't know if it is entirely on the seller/sender to make sure everything is right for in state shipping but I feel like that isn't always the case for international shipping. Most sites say you need to get the paperwork. Plus, even for in states, are there different rules from places like Hawaii versus the main continental US?

AND! What if I decided to sell one of my orchids to someone in the USA? Do I need to do things? I feel like maybe I do?

Basically, not only am I becoming interested in import laws of orchids, I feel like I don't want to rely on my sellers to make sure I am complying with the laws. I want to KNOW I am complying with all the laws I should be. I hope that makes sense....I mean, if I were ordering from a vendor I know very, very well, then maybe I would just ask them what I need to do but often with importing, that isn't the case.

I guess, I feel like this is a two way transaction which means, I am responsible and I should do my due diligence so I know how things should go and be able to recognize when something isn't right or doesn't sound right!

SO! I hope that makes sense to everyone! And I apologize, i really didn't know where to post this....AND, I guess my question, i figured i would start out here with asking for help and seeking the knowledge of others! If you have recommendations for where to go to find this info out or who to talk to that would be great! If you can explain some laws, that's amazing! I'll take ANY help! Obviously, orchid board will not be my entire due dilligence performed but I feel like it may open up doors to other resources!