Can I bring orchids back from Bermuda?
 

Leaving tomorrow and just curious. Live in U.S.

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There is no way of legally bring orchids into USA without CITES and declaration at customs.

The answer I believe is that legally you would need to get a lot of (expensive) paperwork.

Any movement of orchids between countries is governed by CITES regulations/paperwork and there is other stuff as well I believe.

Here on Orchid Board we don't condone doing it illegally!

I think you may be able to bring back a couple of flasks legally.

I refuse to do it illegally, thus my question. Based on what little I know, I figured cites would be involved. Guess I'll have to see if vendors there have proper certifications or permits for shipping should I find anything I'd die without, lol...

The people in Bermuda will most likely say something to the affect of, "Oh yeah, these orchids grow everywhere here, we don't mind, you can take one home."

But...

When you reach customs, they won't allow it. Especially when you arrive in the US. You'd need CITES and phyto papers which = $$$.

Not to mention if they don't have the right paperwork the poor things go in the dumpster!

Flasks now need phyto papers. :(

It will not go in a dumpster it will be considered international waste and will be incinerated:fire:

CITES protected plants are sent to a certified Plant Rescue Center instead of being destroyed.

International regulations are getting far too strict, far too costly, and extremely troublesome.

It will not get any better. There is now the need to pay for costly phytosanitary papers and import permits to import seeds.

seeds do not require an import permit.

I would contact the customs at the airport you are flying to in US and ask how to go about it and what to consider.
I just flew to Finland with 10 of my orchids and it was no problem cause I had contacted the customs and talked to them before hand. But of course this is in the EU and it is probably different in your case..
I think you could also try mailing it to yourself?

You could mail it to yourself if you had an export permit, import permit and CITES and phytosanitary certificates. The easiest way is probably to bring them in your carry-on luggage, and declare them at customs (you still need the CITES and phytosanitary certificates)