Shipping orchids to canada
 

Is there an issue with shipping orchids from us to canada. Or any part of the world to canada. Do I need special permits for ordering online?

YES.

Consult with someone who does this for a living. You probably need a phytosanitary certificate. Depending upon what plants you are shipping, you may need CITES documentation.

Seem like another hassle, trying to add to my jewel orchids other compatible orchids. Unfortunately i see US online retail supplier with good varieties and reasonable prices. Will have to continue to chase the orchid shows .

Yes, it's expensive to do it legally, especially for just a few plants. The certificates cost the same, whether you're bringing in one plant or a truckload. Phytosanitary cert is $85, and I don't know how much the CITES one costs (I think it applies to species only, not hybrids).

I just brought in a compot of seedlings, but the vendor was kind enough to agree to label the package as 'rubber mold for concrete casting'. No issues whatsoever - this time. I don't plan on making a habit of this. Eventually someone will decide to open up the package.

You really are better off looking for Canadian vendors.

You could try looking into Cloud's orchids at Cloud's Orchids. I have seen other members post that they were very happy with their plants from there.

Cloud's is excellent, but they've stopped shipping for the year. You may be able to convince them to ship to you still. Kingfisher is also excellent for novelty phals.

Yes, to do it legally it is not economically realistic to order a few plants from outside of Canada. As mentioned, Cloud's is great. There are other Canadian vendors also and depending where you live, you might be lucky enough to have one close by.

I live where there are no orchid vendors or even any supplies to speak of. That's where joining an orchid society is really great (among other reasons). Our society often places group orders and takes part in orchid shows held in Alberta. If you attend orchid shows, there are often vendors from other parts of the world and many take pre-orders as well.

Thanks will take a look at Cloud Orchids and another canadian retailer i found called Hawaiian Botanicals in BC. Especially looking for jewel orchids.

buffalo, where are you located in Canada? I'm in Edmonton and our society regularly has buying opportunities with various growers which speak at our society meeting. Group orders often greatly reduce the cost of importation into Canada.

I'm a long ways from vancouver ,I'm in Ontario. However it won't hurt to get some information on your group orders.

Then you have a choice of Southern Ontario, Cambridge, Royal (Botanical Gardens), Ottawa and Windsor orchid societies. Don't know about Kingston/Bellville. They all do group orders. Look them up.

Buffalo.
Do you live close to the border?

I ask because the simplest way to get orchids is to have them shipped by the vendor to a UPS office just across the border. Then zip across and bring them back without the need for permits of any sort.

You should have this document on hand, as many officials are not familiar with the rules (including those at CFIA).

Note - section 4.7 refers to this situation.

D-08-04: Plant protection import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting - Plants - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

After some research i have to agree with this method. Need phyto inspection certificate and CFIA form 5272 (request for documentation review form). Which they like you to fax ahead of time so at the border there is not much delay. Also a nominal fee is paid according to the value of plants.

Let me reiterate.

Section 4.7 states you are allowed to bring up to 50 house plants across the border as personal baggage from the US to Canada with NO documentation whatsoever. As long as they are for your personal use and are not potted in soil.

No phytos, no USDA inspections, usually no GST. Nothin'.

This includes orchids.

I do it all the time. Have your orchid shipment sent to a border town UPS location and go across for a half hour and pick em up.

Plant buddy this does not include anything on cites

Typically, if you have an invoice from the seller, it'll specify all the artificially propagated hybrids or species. No orchid I've ever brought in has ever triggered a call for CITES application. Never been asked for one for commercially acquired plants.

Simply, if you declare them and go into the office, they'll clear them through the computer mediated Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Importing plants and plant products: what you need to know - Plants - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Which will follow a flowchart of questions and answers from the officer as follows. Such as:

Orchids - yes
accompanying traveller - yes
for personal use - yes
originating (grown for 6 months) in the USA - yes
free of soil - yes
less than 50 - yes

and you are free to go home with your haul.