phytosanitary certificate

[Becca]

Hi! I am needing to know what will happen if I try shipping one orchid from Hong Kong (an Ebay purchase) to the U.S. without purchasing a phytosanitary certificate? Is it possible it will get through without this certificate or is there more of a chance of it getting held up and then the orchid would be stuck in a box for a long time. I purchased an orchid off of eBay but didn't see the part of the phytosanitary certificate not being included at the VERY END of the listing....I know it is my fault, but the seller is willing to let me out of the purchase, but they are telling me not to worry about it the certificate and they will ship it without. I am affraid of the orchid taking to long to arrive and arrive dead!

[quiltergal]

I think it will most likely end up in the trash without a cert. I'd either have him hold it and pay for the cert, or cancel the order.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I think it will most likely end up in the trash without a cert. I'd either have him hold it and pay for the cert, or cancel the order.

:iagree: I really doubt the package will pass customs without it. Customs has a rule that I don't remember clearly, but they hold plant materials that are not USDA certified/inspected and stamped as such.

[shakkai]

Becca, I have to agree with Terri. I have daylilies shipped from the US to here, and they also require a phyto. I have friends who have had shipments rejected and sent back because although there was a phyto, it wasn't filled in correctly. Shipping without one entirely is taking a really big risk.

With orchids, you may also require a CITES certificate as well as the phyto paperwork.

Just to clarify... its not the a case of just a delay in arriving. Customs won't let a package through without the proper paperwork - i.e. it will never get to you, and would probably either be sent back, or destroyed.

[Becca]

Thanks for the info everyone! Well I contacted the seller again and told them I wished to back out of the sale....I don't normally do that, but I really hate it when people don't put things in plain sight! I swear the part of the certificate was deliberately placed and it seems deceiving to me. It was no where in the main part of the description....it was clear down in the payment details info near the paypal button....it should have been in the main description or under the shipping and handling description! I never look at the payment info because I always pay with paypal right when I win the item!

Here is a link to the item: Phalaenopsis intermedia Species Orchid Phal plant Rare - (eBay item 280157719115 end time Oct-03-07 00:56:52 PDT)

Like I said, I don't normally back out on my ebay purchases....but I am almost willing to take a hit on my record for this one even though the certificate is only $15.00 more!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by RPfeiffer

Thanks for the info everyone! Well I contacted the seller again and told them I wished to back out of the sale....I don't normally do that, but I really hate it when people don't put things in plain sight! I swear the part of the certificate was deliberately placed and it seems deceiving to me. It was no where in the main part of the description....it was clear down in the payment details info near the paypal button....it should have been in the main description or under the shipping and handling description! I never look at the payment info because I always pay with paypal right when I win the item!

Here is a link to the item: Phalaenopsis intermedia Species Orchid Phal plant Rare - (eBay item 280157719115 end time Oct-03-07 00:56:52 PDT)

Like I said, I don't normally back out on my ebay purchases....but I am almost willing to take a hit on my record for this one even though the certificate is only $15.00 more!

You get what you pay (bid) for