buying orchids (retail) from foreign countries

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Another option if you are buying from certain vendors like Ching Hua (Taiwan) and Ecuagenera (Ecuador) to name a couple is to wait until there is an orchid show in your area and then pre-order plants from the vendors attending the show. These two vendors and others like Ten Shin attend a lot of shows in N. America and then you don't have to do any of the paper work. Just enjoy the show and pick up and pay for your plants!