paperwork to send cross country

[Shiffdaddy]

I have a few questions about the phytosanitary certificate and anything else you need to send plants accross country. I have a friend whos mother lives in Zimbabwe and has a ton of orchids. We want to trade but have no idea the steps needed in order to obtain the right certificates to do it.

Do you have to get the certificate for each individual plant that you are sending? Or is it just per box or just one per person? Where would i go in order to fill in what i need? Is there a website?

How much would it cost to get it? I feel it would be worth it if we sent.. lets say 25 plants at a time and it cost 200$ for the cert. I would be willing to pay that. Is it difficult or time consuming to obtain?

Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

Ben

[Ray]

Phytosanitary certificates are per shipment. Before you can send orchids though, you will also need CITES documentation, as all orchids are on the appendices.

You may also need an import permit to get plants from your friend.

Check the APHIS website for more info.

[orchidsamore]

If you want to go through the work it will cost you between 100-150. Shipping air freight can also be expensive. Shipping by mail may never arrive.

Unless the plants are something special to you, you can probably buy them here for less. If they have any emotional attachment then cost is not the issue.

Your state USDA office can probably help you with the paperwork. They have to come through a port of entry so either San Diego or Los Angles. If they are sent as a gift you can probably avoid the cost of an import broker.

Check with the USDA but an import permit is probably not nesessary for a single non-commercial importation

[daveh_sf]

You should consider too that the USDA will inspect the shipment VERY carefully for any sign of fungus or insects. If they find anything, you will have the choice of either having them treat the entire shipment (an additional expense and delay) or having the plants destroyed.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I just imported plants from out of the country. And I will be importing more.

PM me if you want to know the process.

Just an fyi, the entire process can take a long time. But you won't feel it if you're busy.