Hi Nat:
Here's the story: When I became aware that Bulbos were available on the net from Thailand, I bought a few from "Belle Orchidee" among others. She seemed to have the best plants. In my ignorance, I didn't realize what I was doing was illegal - even tho all the plants I purchased arrived bare root - I still should have had an import license. Anyhow, one of the plants I purchased came to me from her labeled B. wallachii. It didn't bloom for a couple of years, and all that time, I had been trying to get the BWWF AND the B. Thai Spider. So when the "wallachii" bloomed this year, I knew that was not the right label, and after several sleepless nights, I realized what it actually was MUCH TO MY DELIGHT!!
Now, re importing: I don't know wht cost you are referring to. the only cost I know of is shiping, and the cost of the CITES/phytosanitary certs. To the best of my knowledge, and after some serious research,I find a broker is NOT needed to get the plants into the US provided all circumstances are met. Namely, CITES, phytosanitary certificate, and MY supplying the seller with Dept of Ag. "green'yellow" stickers which need to be put on the outside of the package. So long s the package is under 20 kilos, there's no need for a broker. And that's where the major expense is.
When one applies for an import license, there is a category you can choose from as to what countries you want to import from. If I remember right, the only countries I eliminated were Greenland and Iceland
I REALLY want (need????) a refractilingue, Thai Spider and several other bulbos that only come from Thailand. Which is why I want to find a Thai nursery who can/will sell. I found a fellow in India via a referral from a gal in Sweden Club Bulbo-Yahoo Groups)who seems to be highly familiar with exporting, and have placed a preorder with him and am awaiting a price before I place a final order.
If you have other questions, I'll be happy to share with you what know...
BEst,
JoAnne