And I knew better.....WARNING

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by boytjie

This brings back some horrible memories of importing a few of my bonsais from South Africa in 2001, when I left that country to move back to the U.S.

I had four trees, all native South African species (Ficus); the SA government didn't require an export permit, but boy did the USDA make me jump through hoops! The permit paperwork took four months, and cost nearly $300 for all four trees. Regulations stipulated that they had to be brought into the U.S. bare-root, wrapped in newspaper... and this was in January. I flew with the trees in a box in the aircraft cabin. My port of entry was JFK Airport in New York, and I had to hand over the container to the USDA as soon as I went through customs. I had to stay in the New York City area for 24 hours while the trees were inspected and fumigated, then make my way back to JFK to collect them the next day.

They were finally released to me with metal tags on them, and I was informed that they had to be kept in quarantine (away from any other house plants) for a full calendar year. Over the course of that year, a USDA inspection agent drove out once every quarter from Albany to Syracuse to make sure the plants were still in quarantine, and not showing any signs of pests or disease.

One tree died fairly quickly, unable to deal with the stress and climate change, but the other three have adapted, and nine years later they are doing quite well.

Dang, Stephen....your story makes mine look like a cake walk At least 3 of 4 survived. As much as I have enjoyed NYC, the times I have visited or worked there, it AIN'T cheap...glad you made it through.

[vmax3000]

I received the box yesterday, with the paper that the orchid was wrapped in....all that pretty text....and a note saying the plant was confiscated and destroyed in San Francisco... Sure enough, right on the front of the box, the customs label had 'Silk' written in the declaration. All's well that ends well...

[golforchid]

I used to organize group import orders from foreign vendors for the Mass Orchid Society and have, on occasion, brought plants back with me from foreign countries. Haven't done this in sometime, so may be a little rusty about all the regulations, but here's the basics:

You need an import permit which can be obtained for free if you are a hobby grower. Complete form PPQ 587. You can complete the application on-line or complete the PDF , print out a copy for yourself and mail it in. You can get the permit approved for various countries through various US entry ports (not all ports have plant inspection stations by the way). You will be sent import labels for the various ports of entry. Since I used to import from South American and European firms I would ask for labels for New York and Miami. You do not need a new permit every time you import from a different country. The permit is valid for 5 years. If you are in the orchid business, then a General Permit is needed form PPQ 621 You can select permits on the website; then Apply for a PPQ Permit; then PPQ 587 or PPQ 621
USDA - APHIS
When you are sent a copy of your import permit, you will also be sent information about the paperwork which must accompany the shipment - a Phytosanitary Certificate and Export Permit from the country of origin. You've got to give the foreign firm/shipper a copy of you import permit or at least permit number. If you are attending an orchid show in a foreign country, take along a copy of your import permit, and there is generally someone/agency from the host country to provide the necessary documents. Please note that it takes time and costs money for the foreign vendor to obtain the necessary documents, so that many of them have a minimum order and/or assess a charge for the necessary paperwork. Several foreign orchid firms attend shows in the US so will take pre-orders for plants which are then brought to the particular show - that way it's only necessary for one phyto and one set of CITES documents. Once the plants are in the US, customers can then pick up their plants at the show, or have them mailed on to them from a US location (thus eliminating a need for an import permit). It used to be that you could bring up to 12 plants into the US without requiring inspection or all the paperwork, but this has likely changed by now. The important thing is, if you are bringing plants with you, better enter at a place where there is a Plant Inspection and Quarantine Station. Experienced orchid importers and exporters know that, even with the necessary documentation/permits, sometimes shipments are held for various reasons (sometimes political, sometimes because allegations have been made about the vendor, sometimes because the inspectors would take the plants themselves). At any rate, it does not sound to me that a foreign vendor offering orchids on ebay is sophisticated enough to know what is required for shipping to the US. So before you buy, get your import permit and inquire, before purchase, if the vendor is obtaining the necessary Phyto and CITES paperwork to accompany the plants.

[harrywitmore]

I have mistakenly bid on a number of orchids before I knew they were from Singapore or Thailand. The problem with using the US Only check box is that these vendors still appear in the results so don't depend on that. Many of the orchids offered are wild collected so that is more reason to ignore them. Each time I have bid on one by mistake I contact the vendor and tell them I do not plan to pay for the item if won since they are not located in the US. Each time they have been kind enough to understand and let it go unpaid and unreported. If I needed to I would also have the option of filing a complaint with eBay since this vendor should not show up in US only searches.

Remember, it's one thing to run afoul of import restrictions. It's much more serious to run afoul of CITES prohibitions. I know a man that was sent to prison for CITES violations. It is not hard to import plants if you have everything right but even then the loss rate is very high the smaller the plant. Many foreign vendors attend shows in the US and are willing to allow you to order plants and they will bring them in when they come. This is much easier and the plants normally fair better.

[Ray]

As "golforchid" said, importing orchids is not really a big problem, but it is YOUR responsibility to make sure it is done properly, and that means having your own permit and making sure the shipper has all of the proper documentation and packs the plants correctly.

If you deal with an established foreign nursery, such things are usually a "walk in the park", but eBay is - unfortunately - awash with ignorance.

[Silla--glamour]

Hi Folks, i have read all follow-up threads on this issue regarding about orchids sent from Asia had great problem in success shipment to USA. Let me express my truthful and honest view here. USDA is very skeptical, some state had stricter inspection, some not. Some mistaken a hybrid as a species, cases as such contribute more woes and frustration among exporter and importer. Being an eBay seller in Asia i would like to explain some very ugly facts which had happened and are still happening nowadays due to the lack of documentation by these Asia sellers, buying oversea seems to be a very bleak option for you guys in the states. Ok first of all, i can assure you folks 1 to 2 facts. Those Asia seller whom had their orchids intervene by USDA are from, either Taiwan, Thailand, China or India. They have very little or no knowledge of what's going on with the States customs, some might not even know what USDA means.

Asia from these stated country has lesser knowledge and majority do not know what is a CITES and how's a CITES work also how important a CITES is. I want to clear that there are still reputable seller in Asia like us who knows tip to toe for importation of orchids for you guys in the states without any hassle nor cork-up. Australia is stricter than the states and this is a fact and we have pass their customs many a times they include more paper work other than CITES. We also borrow this chance here to explain why some Asia are stupid and has lesser knowledge and also we want to highlight that we are the Asia seller that is the cream of corp or rather stand up many miles from these Asia seller and no one should categorized us with these ''Asia'' thanks

[Royal]

But you are in Asia, right?

[Silla--glamour]

Yes, iam and iam not speaking up for any fellow Asia yet iam explaining why all these nonsense happen and how we should take precaution, i myself doen't have this problems with CITES or phyto, all legitimate legal and proper. And we give buyer more than what they purchased. So? What if iam in Asia? : )

[cb977]

[ohanahana]

i'm sorry~~suzanne~~you are so funny