Bringing orchids into the U.S.

[MrHungx]

Hi

I recently acquired a Blc. Mem. Ong Wen-Mo 'Yong Kong' in Taiwan. I'm leaving for the U.S. and would like to know the exact procedure for bringing orchids into the U.S. I have already removed all of the potting medium, carefully wrapped it in newspaper, and packed it in an appropriately sized box. Will I be able to take the orchid into the U.S.? If so, should I keep it in checked or carry-on baggage? Is there any sort of documentation that I need? I will be flying from Taiwan to LAX.

[MattWoelfsen]

Here is a link you might want to review before you get on that flight. It contains a lot of information regarding permits and the necessary documentation from the vendor, you bought your plant from and what you'll need to clear customs in the US.

http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/cleari..._prod_inus.xml

[ALToronto]

I once bought a couple of cattleyas in Venezuela when I was there on holidays. They were hybrids, totally legal, but the paperwork required to take them out of Venezuela was astounding, and I was also told that no matter how well the forms were completed, I'd still need to slip a $20 to the customs official.

So I unpotted the two catts and wrapped them in a damp towel and put them in a plastic bag. Then I put mine and my husband's very wet bathing suits on top of the towel, and placed the bag at the top of our suitcase to be checked. Since in Venezuela all baggage is opened and checked by hand, I knew that a customs official would be looking through it. As soon as he touched the wet bathing suits, his hand recoiled and he set the plastic bag aside, then proceeded to look through the rest of our (dry) clothes.

Not suggesting you do anything illegal, but it's another option for taking a plant out of an overly bureaucratic country.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Almost every country is "bureaucratic" in this case. Licenses, documentation, and certifications are difficult to get around.

[DelawareJim]

The US has the most stringent import requirements in the world. Since 9/11, USDA and DHS take biosecurity very seriously.
At the very least, you will need a phytosanitary certificate from the Taiwanese Department of Agriculture certifying the plant is clean and free of pests and diseases. I don't know how long it will take or how much this will cost in Taiwan. When I import from Europe it takes a day and the price is set by the number of plants.

You will also need an import permit which you can get through the e-permits website on the USDA/APHIS website.
USDA - APHIS - Permits, Notifications, Petitions, Licenses, and Certifications
It will take several weeks to two months depending on workload. When you receive your permit in the mail, they will provide import stickers to attach to the outside of the packaging and a list of USDA import locations to ship it to for inspection. You will also have to provide an additional postage paid container for them to ship the plant(s) to you from the inspection station after they've completed their inspection.

If it's less than 10 plants, you can bring them with you as carry-on luggage and declare them at customs. Show customs your import permit and phyto, and they will direct you to the APHIS desk for on-site inspection.

It's easy if you have your documentation in line.

Cheers.
Jim

[Chatbud]

At our local gardening forum, a lady brought live pandan plants (devoid of soil of cos) from our island to Houston. She claimed that TSA asked a few questions and let her thru.

I'm guessing she's really pretty and smiled a lot

[NYCorchidman]

Well, you can generally avoid all the headache by placing them in the checked luggage.
I can't guarantee the result though. lol

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Well, you can generally avoid all the headache by placing them in the checked luggage.
I can't guarantee the result though. lol

Avoid the headache up front you mean.

Ultimately, it all comes down to your risk tolerance, and is the plant you're smuggling in worth the penalty which could range anywhere from having it destroyed and getting lectured to the maximum fine? To me it's just not worth the risk.

Taken from the APHIS website...

Note: Individuals who fail to declare non-commercial agricultural items may be subject to penalties ranging from $1,100 to $60,000 per violation. These penalties are based on authorities granted to USDA through the Plant Protection Act and the Animal Health Protection Act.

Cheers.
Jim

[NYCorchidman]

On a different note, what would the word non-commercial agricultural items imply?
wild collected or caught plants and animals I believe.

Yet on another note, even with all the paper work and other bureaucratic stuff passed, disease are still passed around.

I respect the purpose but would like to skip personal headache. That's my intention.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Chatbud

At our local gardening forum, a lady brought live pandan plants (devoid of soil of cos) from our island to Houston. She claimed that TSA asked a few questions and let her thru.

I'm guessing she's really pretty and smiled a lot

Hint: Low-cut tops are particularly advantageous....


Ray Barkalow
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