Orchids from eBay Seized, Help!

[Pelepel]

I'm still pretty new to orchids. I've been purchasing a few orchids here and there from US sellers.

Stupidly, I ordered a few from Thailand. I wasn't aware of the certificates and all the channels that must be taken to enter them here legally. Had I known this, I would have never made the purchase to begin with nor break any laws. I just thought, for some reason, it was from eBay and it was okay. I now know these laws are in place for good reasons and to protect from illegal plant collecting as well amongst other reasons.

However, I got the box with a note stating the plants were seized by customs, destroyed, and noting why (no certificates) and I may be fined and prosecuted! I'm really scared. I have a baby and scraping by in a bad economy as it is. I know, lesson learned. But us newbies aren't going to be aware of these laws right away.

But, what happens next? Anyone else had any experience with this?

Also, I feel people need to be aware NOT TO buy ever out of your own country (I live in the US) even on eBay. People can make an innocent mistake that can result in greater consequences. It's not worth it and better to support local growers. I feel eBay REALLY needs to crack down on this like they did with liqueur and artifacts. Or at least state you need legal documents!

These growers overseas don't get into trouble, knowingly sell them on eBay without ANY disclaimers. Of course, they want the sale. There are honest people that will tell you you must purchase the proper channels and won't sell the plants unless you buy these. A lot, I come to realize, will REFUSE to get the proper certificates for you because "it is too far away" or "just won't do it!"

So don't ever, ever buy on eBay unless it is local! I hope OB puts a sticky somewhere about that if it isn't there. Honest newbie mistakes can lead to trouble!

[Claire25]

Thanks for posting this. How frightening. I do know that you can click "US only" on the left side of the screen once you've entered your product search on ebay's website, and that SHOULD ensure that you don't view any listings from outside of the states. I truly hope everything turns out well for you...try not to worry, you clearly made an honest mistake.

Claire

[Shiffdaddy]

That is horrible! What a god aweful thing to happen. Youre all excited for your new orchids and you dont get them and are in trouble. Thats totally dumb. Good luck with your situation though. It was a complete accident and i cant see you getting into that much trouble. Just tell them the truth

[Pelepel]

Thank you, Claire. Truly hard not to. Who knew two tiny orchids would cause such trouble?

[Pelepel]

Thanks, Shiff. Wasn't expecting an angry notice in the box! Surprise. I mean, this has to happen often with how many people make purchases online. Small hobbyists aren't going to know such laws until something like this happens.

[Daethen]

I always go to the advanced section in my search and choose located in the US only. Otherwise you can also get "sells to the US". Good luck and keep us posted on how things turn out.

[ronaldhanko]

This has happened before to others and been noted here on OB. The sellers in Thailand are all too eager to take your money and not inform you about the need for certificates, nor will they refund your money. It would be good if there were some way to alert new members of OB about this and discourage them from purchasing overseas, especially from Thailand.

[Pelepel]

Ron, I agree completely. Perhaps this is a common mistake us bright-eyed orchid lovers make. Especially with the popularity of eBay and all the plants on it.

[RJSquirrel]

ugh the damn empty box is what really sucks!!!

Papers doesnt always mean you are going to get your plants either. A good man told me he had been ordering from Taiwan for a long time and recently had a shipment of phal flask and vanda seedlings confiscated. They held them for well over 30 days. Of course they were shipped from here to there and everywhere and then back again. By the time he had got them the vandas were just about wasted. The flasks were still fine for the most part, but a loss is still a loss.

But good luck...If you dont have plans to travel in a box I dont think they will come look for you

[Gin]

Nothing will happen too you , no paper work happens a lot if there was paper work and it said one thing was sent and something else that was not legal was sent then there would be trouble . You are not the first one this has happened to have read several post about no paper work on plants from Thailand .. Gin