Flasks and airport x-rays?

[Des]

Brett have you tried posting the bags
Des

[lambelkip]

the agar is usually considered a gel or liquid, so there might be some trouble if you tried to bring too many flasks, or had too much agar in the flasks. (if the agar is undisturbed and has plants growing in it, they might ignore it, but I wouldn't count on it.) if you're bringing them to a different country, you will usually need a phytosanitary certificate. if you remove them from the flask, they're considered live plants, and you will also need a cites certificate and import permit. you can also try posting the flasks, but make sure you package them well, and have a phytosanitary certificate.

[s1214215]

Hi Kip

I called AQIS and they said that no Phyto cert is needed for flasks taken in person through an airport. The agar s really solid in these flasks and you can see the chunks of charcoal? in it too. If I took them out of the flasks, the plants would have to do 3 months quarantine. Posted flasks have a large fee that I would rather avoid, plus the post would be rougher than a trip on the plane in cargo I think. I am just going to pack them well and see what the person at the counter at the airport wants to do.

Brett

[Undergrounder]

Hey Brett,

What's this large fee that you're talking about with postage? Do you mean having to get the import permit and Phyto? or do you mean the mysterious $77 nursery stock inspection fee? I've been having a running battle with AQIS over this "surprise!" fee, which only appears about half the time, for now apparent reason.

Where are you going back to in Australia? I have a permit for Thailand if you want to send it through the post.. oh yeah still Phyto problem..

[s1214215]

Hi Everyone

An update. I am just back from Australia and got the flasks there with no problems, though not a little drama. What I do conclude is that most airport staff dont have a clue what an orchid flask is, what media it is in or just dont give a care.

Suvarnabhumi Airport: The check in staff told me to take it on board when I told them the flask where fragile and I was concerned about them being turned upside down, damaging the plants.

I passed through several checks where the concern was more about looking in the box and on seeing the flasks they waved me through.

Sydney airport: Got off the Thai Airways flight and passed through the scanners on my way to a connecting flight. I pointed out the flasks to staff, who X-rayed them, and waved me through without a word. I breathed a sigh of relief on this one as I was not expecting this check for a connecting flight and Australian staff are normally anal retentive about sticking to the rules or their interpertation of policy.

Arrived in Brisbane, 3 flasks in pristine condition.

[Des]

Brett , I have been through Sidney customs , you were lucky!!!
How much sweat did you lose!
Des

[s1214215]

Originally Posted by Des

Brett , I have been through Sidney customs , you were lucky!!!
How much sweat did you lose!
Des

Hi Des

It was only a check point, not customs. If it was customs I would have been screwed getting them onto another flight. I wasnt expecting this check point.

Yes, it was a mild panic at the time. But I think as it was one of the final flights for the night, they wanted to go home and maybe didnt give a toss. I got lucky perhaps.

Next time I will send flasks in cargo and hope. Much less stress.

Brett

[camille1585]

Sounds like you got lucky! All depends on the airlines, the people, the time, the country.... But hey the important thing is that you got the flasks into Australia!
I can't even begin to imagine how stressed you were going through security and checkpoint. I already sweat when flying with orchids, even though there is technically no problemw with that. But you never know, and I'm always happy when the chids get to board the plane!