Going to Cape Town, can I bring an orchid back to the USA?

[Subrosa]

Yes you can, and as long as you bring back 12 or fewer plants, no import permit is required. However you MUST obtain phytosanitary certification from the seller for each plant, and declare them when you go through customs. The plants will need to be inspected, which if you re enter the US at JFK is no problem. Otherwise the plants will need to be sent to an APHIS inspection station and from there to your house, at your expense.