Importing plants?
 

I'm looking to start importing plants and was wondering what permits I would need to do it for personal use? They would be coming from either Israel or New Guinea.

Thanks in advance!
~R

You can get hobby permits.

Eventually, when they catch on to how much you're importing, the USDA/APHIS will coerce you into paying for a protected plant permit.

Let's just say I lost 1/3 of the plants in one of my largest shipments because of this coercion.

I'll give you my opinion, because I've been burning to say it…

It's a racket and they know it. They don't hide it well at all.

USDA newly allows you to apply ONLINE, this was not possible prior and it makes things much faster and easier (old way was sending copies of filled paperwork by fax, which took time sometimes 2 months to even put into system and from that time another month or two to get permit!). However, be prepared, as great it looks, it can be great headache too! And you'll pay for CITES and phyto on the top of some expensive express postage. In general, any import I did, paperwork and DHL shipping cost comes to some $250-$300, and than the cost of the plants. You will have to also mail special label from USDA to the seller abroad to be included on the box, and the copies of your permits.