You still need a plant import permit. There is one for plants in general, and one for small lots of seed. They are free to obtain. The rules are on the USDA-APHIS Web site.
Silverhill lists seed when it ripens and becomes available. You have to pay attention to the seasons in South Africa. Some kinds sell out quickly.
The only legal way to legally import any plant material into the US without a phytosanitary inspection is with a permit that APHIS terms a "small seed lot exception". The permit is free. The fines aren't. Just because someone sends you something doesn't mean you can legally receive it. From time to time the feds get a bee in their bonnet and cruise the internet looking for this sort of thing. Googling "Mat Orchard Nepenthes" or "Ed Newcomer arowana" will provide some interesting reading.
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Despite having looked after estacion seca's post, and yours, I can't find anything to indicate that you need a permit for import.
This page seems to indicate that orchids and orchid seeds do not require a permit to import, except if they are on a quarantine list.
A vendor I emailed offered a phytosanitary certificate for $50. Are you really indicating the only way to legally import orchid seed or plants is with that expensive permit?
Yeah that website is so annoying. Sorry if I'm derailing the topic, but do you think the "or" in 5(ii) of Small Lots mean that you can get 10g seeds (instead of 50 seeds) as a small lot? Which means you could get oodles of seeds as a small lot....
Yeah that website is so annoying. Sorry if I'm derailing the topic, but do you think the "or" in 5(ii) of Small Lots mean that you can get 10g seeds (instead of 50 seeds) as a small lot? Which means you could get oodles of seeds as a small lot....
I've been digging around, trying to figure that stuff out. It sounds like you can have large numbers of 50 seed packets under the permit, which is free, and valid for 3 years. I'm not sure if that means instead you could to many packets of 10g of orchid seeds instead.
Hi all, leave me a private message and I will give you my email adres. I have a large number of seeds which the pod burt open before I couod take the green pod, and I dont use dry seed
Hi all, leave me a private message and I will give you my email adres. I have a large number of seeds which the pod burt open before I couod take the green pod, and I dont use dry seed
I tried to send you a message but it said you could not receive it.