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Importing/Exporting Orchids
by Richard Saporita
NOTE: On-line permit information is available at USDA
I have collected orchids in the wild in Panama, The Dominican Republic and Ecuador. I have purchased plants in local markets in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Panama, El Salvador, and Thailand. I have never had a problem bringing the plants home to the United States, and I have always done so legally. My collecting was done in the days when it was not considered ecologically or politically incorrect to do so.
My only experience in obtaining a Phytosanitary Certificate was in Mexico. I went to the proper government agency and explained that I wanted to buy some orchids in the local markets and take them to the US. They said "How many?" I said about a dozen, more or less. I paid a very small fee, not more than 2 or 3 dollars, and was issued a certificate allowing the plants I was going to purchase to be legally taken out of the country and certifying that they were free of insects and diseases.
When I reached US Customs in Miami I explained that I had some orchid plants and that I had the certificate but that the plants had never been inspected and that the certificate was actually issued before I bought the plants. I said I wanted them inspected. I do not want to be the one who brings in a pest that destroys crops or orchids! The agent said that's why we inspect every plant that comes through here, regardless of the paperwork.
Technically, you are supposed to have a permit to import live plants. You are also supposed to have CITES documentation and a Phytosanitary Certificate issued officially by the country of origin. However, US Customs and the Dept. of Agriculture people can make lots of exceptions and in general are very reasonable to deal with.
First thing I would suggest is that you contact the US Dept. of Agriculture at what will be YOUR port of entry when you return to the US.; i.e., Miami, New Orleans, New York, Los Angeles, etc. Tell them where you are going, what you want to do, etc. Ask them if a small number of orchid plants can be brought back as luggage. Usually they will allow a small number, say less than 10-12 to come in with you. They MUST be declared on entry and inspected.
You will need to have them in a separate package with the correct US postage on it if it is to be forwarded on to you after inspection and possibly treatment. The plants must be absolutely free of any soil (usually not a problem since most orchids don't grow in soil) and free of any diseases or insect pests. If you happen to live close to your Port of Entry, you can probably arrange to just go and pick them up when they are ready.
If you have to leave the plants for inspection and will not be able to pick them up after inspection (very likely, but not necessarily so) and possible treatment, then you must have the correct postage in stamps, etc., on the package as they will not accept cash and I don't believe they will accept a check for postage.
THE BEST WAY to go, is to get an import permit from the USDA. These are free of charge. That is what I recommend. Their address is:
US Dept. of Agriculture
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road
Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: (301) 734-8645
Request an application for a permit to import orchid plants from various countries and a dozen Green and Yellow Labels to be used for mail shipments. When your application is approved you will receive the permit, the shipping labels with your permit number imprinted on them and copies of all the rules and regulations (including CITES) that apply to the importation of orchid plants into the United States.
By far the easiest way is to buy the plants from a dealer and have him obtain the necessary paperwork (CITES Certificate and Phytosanitary Certificate), give him a couple of the Green and Yellow Labels, and have him send the package directly to your home following the instructions on the back of the label.
If you buy the plants in a market or shop, then clean them as well as possible, air-dry them completely, and pack them at the last minute in a separate package which can go through as luggage or in your luggage. Address the package. attach the labels if you have them and sufficient postage and just carry them home with you. Again, be sure to declare them as penalties for smuggling them in could be severe.
I am fortunate enough to live about an hour's drive from the Miami airport which is my usual port of entry. If I am coming directly into Miami from the foreign country, I can bring them with me and just drive back down when they call to tell me the plants are ready to be picked up. If they come in through any other port of entry, I will arrange to ship them or have them shipped to me through Miami.
The usual port of entry for Asia is the on the West Coast -- Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, etc. -- However, I had my plants from Thailand shipped by British Air which goes Bangkok to London to Miami, and then I can drive down and pick them up. (I also arranged for them to be shipped two weeks after I arrived home so I had a chance to recuperate from the trip before having to get busy potting up several dozens of plants!) The only plants I hand-carried from Thailand were seven flasks of vandaceous hybrids.
Plan ahead and you can successfully bring plants home with you or order them from abroad with confidence.
TOPIC TRANSCRIPT
24 people in Orchidsafari: orchidnut Richard in West Palm Beach For starters, let me repeat the 'all important' address for the USDA: US Dept. of Agriculture This is the address where you will write to obtain your plant import permit -- and yes, if there is ANY possibility that you MIGHT import a few plants you should apply for this permit. It is free. Just request an application for a permit to import orchids and other plants from various countries. 55SS (James in Fresno CA) Richard in West Palm Beach peterlin orchidnut (Sam in Lincoln, NE) Richard in West Palm Beach marilyninOttawa Richard in West Palm Beach marylois marilyninOttawa marylois Richard in West Palm Beach marylois orchidnut (Sam in Lincoln, NE) 55SS (James in Fresno CA) orchidnut (Sam in Lincoln, NE) Richard in West Palm Beach I ship plants to all of the states except those that I listed previously. Those states require an additonal nursery certification which I never bothered to request. I will probably get that this year though. marilyninOttawa Richard in West Palm Beach A word of advice -- when you are buying plants abroad, please buy at a minimum two and preferably three or four of each cross or species. The plants will suffer some trauma in the packing and shipping, no matter how carefully done and it is tragic to have bought just one of each and then lose some of them in transit. graphicgreg (back in business) harold6820 (Farmers Branch, TX) Richard in West Palm Beach [drroot, paulav, and LeslieV1 were interested in that email, but Harold had deleted it and was unable to find the Bangkok webpage in question...mlg] graphicgreg (back in business)
As noted in Richard's pre-discussion handout above, on-line permit information is available at USDA
55SS (James in Fresno CA) NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.) Richard in West Palm Beach Andy NVA (Northern VA.) Richard in West Palm Beach marylois graphicgreg (back online in Florida) graphicgreg (back online in Florida) NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.) Richard in West Palm Beach graphicgreg (back online in Florida) Richard in West Palm Beach graphicgreg (back online in Florida) NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.) Richard in West Palm Beach marylois Richard in West Palm Beach graphicgreg (back online in Florida) prankster d (Susan from Oregon) graphicgreg (back online in Florida) 55SS (James in Fresno CA)
NativeOrchid
55SS
marylois
AndyNVA
marilyninOttawa
Richard WPB
LeslieV1
paulav
drroot
harold6820
RedfernNH
sparky-steve
bmtorchids
equitantman
harold
nerdyspice
MsBritmor
Emily
Foxtail
Ken
Jason
Judy
prankster d
If everyone is ready -- let's start the topic. I'm only going to be here for about an hour max. First, does anyone have a question about getting a permit?
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road
Riverdale, MD 20737
(301) 734 - 8645
Richard, I sent just a letter saying that was interested in importing, and they sent a permit. No form involved from my end. I got a paper saying that I am permitted to import, but I got no labels with it.
Sounds good to me James. I got my first one about 30 years ago. I just recently got a commercial import permit and I did have to fill out an application for that one. Fee was $70 for a two year license.
You can do alot of damage to your bank account in just two years - Richard! I have a general permit...used it couple times in the last 3 years.
Is that any different than a regular import permit, Richard?
The difference in the two permits lies in the quantities that can be imported. The free permit allows an individual to bring in plants for his/her personal use. If you decide to bring in 10 or more of a single cross or species, then they may very well consider that these are commercial quantities, and require a special permit. The Green and Yellow Labels are for mail shipments and you should request them specifically. You can always just call or write USDA, give them your permit number and ask them to send you a dozen or so
labels.
I would be interested to know what procedures you will have to follow when you visit Vancouver for the WOC in 1999. Do you need an import permit to bring plants from Canada (i.e., continental traffic?)
I would expect that you do need an import permit to bring plants from Canada. I know that you need one to bring plants from Mexico and both countries are in North America.
At the AOS show in Vancouver a year or so ago, the word was that there would be no problem taking plants back over, they had made arrangements...I only had one, I declared it, no problem. Heard of others who did have problems and lost their plants...the old story: There's always one sob who doesn't get the word. From Hawaii - when I bought plants at the orchid show, I always made sure they had Photosanitary
papers and/or had a big grower ship them.
Are there any permits required to move plants from state to state?
Richard, I imported on a permit about 15 years ago -- would my permit possibly still be good?
Marilyn, commercial growers ( and technically individuals) need special permits to ship into only a few states - Hawaii, Arizona, California, and maybe Texas. Lois, your permit has probably expired. If you still have the number, you can simply request a renewal and there should not be a problem.
Thanks, Richard - will have to dig it up and give a call.
Do you need a permit if you are moving plants to Hawaii?
What about from Hawaii?
The states that you have not listed, you can then move plants in and out with no permit?
As I said in my pre-discussion mailout, the easiest way to import is through a reliable dealer/grower in the foreign country. They will handle all of the paperwork and you need only supply your permit number, an order for plants, and some filthy lucre.
When I travel, I now buy only flasks since these are proof positive that the plants are artificially propagated and are exempt CITES. We in Canada still are required to obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate stating that the plants are orchids in sterile culture, and we do still need an import permit. I take no chances. My biggest hurdle has been having the customs inspectors believe that I paid 'that much!!!' for a bottle of plants.
When I was in Thailand earlier this month, I bought plants from several vendors in at least two local markets in Bangkok, as well as from a couple of well-known commercial growers. Plus, I trade some of my flasks for a few plants with another grower. I took everything to the grower I bought the most from and asked him to obtain the CITES and other paper work I needed, and then to pack them and ship them with my order from him. No problem! Since I had dealt with him last year I was able to arrange all of this before
I bought the plants.
Wise words Richard...we do that even when buying domestic plants
I got an E-mail from a vendor in Bangkok today. Wants bulk orders, minimum $300, but per his list you can get a bunch of plants for that. Anybody else get that E-mail?
I did not get that e-mail -- Who is the vendor?
Lois, have you offered up the two URL's I sent you for CITES and APHIS...I seem to have lost them.
It would be easier to ship the orchids, rather than carry them in?
Some comments....I/we have imported and EXPORTED(!) numerous times. Only got 'burned' once and that was not the fault of customs!
Not much has been covered so far, Greg. James, if you just have a few, and you are returning through a port of entry close to home, then you can carry them in. Otherwise, it is far better to ship them and arrange for the shipment to come through the closest port of entry to you. If you can't drive over and pick up the shipment you might have to hire a broker (if it is a large shipment). I always arrange for my shipments to arrive through Miami since I can drive down there in an hour to pick them up. In the case of the Thai
plants I just bought, I am having them shipped via British Air to Miami.
Richard, what problems have you run into that you can steer us away from?
Andy, I haven't really run into any problems. It is important to note that when you import from a foreign country to the US, the plants will arrive bareroot. They should be spread out in a single layer on wire mesh in the shade for several days and allowed to air out. Resist the urge to wet them down until AFTER they have had a chance to air out. This is especially important if they have been treated with methyl bromide and fumigated.
That's a GREAT hint, Richard! Have never heard it.
We carried a box of orchids back from Brazil a year ago and had great sucess. We cleaned the plants VERY thoroughly and packed them well with newspaper. I supplied the Import permit as well as pre-paid Fed-Ex label to my home. We received the plants the next day. See APHIS as well as CITES web sites above where you can download the import permit forms.
Sounds like a good deal, Richard. I would like to add one other thing to the plant importation post-import care.
Richard, I will have to disagree with that treatment somewhat. It may work on an orchid with a pseudobulb, but if you treat any soft-leaved species like that you will have dust!
I usually air the plants out as I described and then watch them carefully. I will water them lightly for a couple of weeks and when new roots begin to emerge, THEN I will pot them up or mount them.
We have had very few losses on imported plants, less than 5%. When they arrive we immediately unpack them and soak them for an hour or two in a mix of 1-cup sugar to 5-gal water plus a good squeeze of Super Thrive. Then we lay them out on newspaper to dry. After a few hours they are sprayed with a broad spectrum fungicide, we use Captan. Next day they are placed into EMPTY clay pots and placed on shady benches. They are watered normally and sprayed daily with liquid seaweed until they show growth, Then they are potted up. Sometimes recalcitrant plants are potted before growth shows
Dust to dust -- Remember, I'm in South Florida with high humidity and (generally) warm temps. The treatment I described has worked well for me for thin-leaved oncidiums (like Sharry Baby, Gower Ramsey, etc.), Vandas, Rhyncostylis, Cattleyas, etc.
Looks like we had a conflict of ideas, Dick. I think that the plants are usually severely dehydrated and in desperate need of H2O. I have not had to experience gassed plants fortunately.
Richard, I import mostly Kefersteinia, Pescoranthes, and the like. A very different treatment is needed for them. More like what graphicgreg describes.
Greg, I used to do that too. I used the sugar-water treatment and weak Captan for a long time. It works well but I have better results with the air-drying first. The only plants I have lost were the fleshy-leaved Rhy. giganteas that had been treated with methyl bromide. The guys at USDA said that was because I had watered them too soon after their treatment and that I needed to allow a couple fo days for the gas to dissipate from the leaves before I watered them.
How would one find out whether the plants had been gassed or not?
When the plants have been treated USDA provides a form that gives all the pertinent information so that you will know how to treat them for the first few days. If you don't get that form then they most likely were inspected and passed on through.
I have found that the cytokinans in the liquid seaweed seem to encourage growth in most cases. I cannot say we have had unconditional success. Time of year has a lot to do with importing plants also...especially plants on reversed seasons. We have tried several times with L. jongheana and failed. This species favors cooler temps than we have and we would probably do better having the plants arrive now; i.e., our fall but Brazil's spring. So the plants are in growth but have a cool season to get established. Last time
we got jongheanas in May and they could not make it through our summer un-established.
L.jongheanas are gorgeous. On my prime wishlist.
They ARE on CITES appendix 1, Susan...but indeed beautiful. You could probably do better with them then we can here in S. Florida. But the marginal stuff is the challenge...that's what makes it fun. We're trying a plant of Soph. coccinea now that F. Miranda brought us. I'm a dreamer huh ?
Has anyone ever ordered from Akerne's in Belgium? Richard, could you tell us some of the growers who you have purchased from overseas?
Richard in West Palm Beach
No European growers. I grow only warm and intermediate plants and Europe is not a great source for them. Once, about 35 years ago, I did buy a few Cattleyas from Vacherot & Lecoufle.
Richard in West Palm Beach
Size or age restrictions on what? [My question too *grin*...mlg]
55SS (James in Fresno CA)
I read somewhere in the materials that were sent with my permit about size and age restrictions on plants being imported. Something about no more than one year's growth after being severed from the parent, or two years old?
Richard in West Palm Beach
I haven't heard of those restrictions. I've imported mature, flowering size plants and flasks as well as small seedlings and medium size plants with no problems. Maybe those restrictions apply to certain CITES protected plants.
Richard departed; he was roundly thanked for his presentation.
Go Back to Index
Andy NVA (Northern VA.)
Sam, Got a seedling of Raymond Burr's Cattleya guttata var. alba! [That's fantastic!!...mlg]
equitantman (Matt from Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Well, we had our orchid show this last weekend and my dad got an HCC on a Vuylstekeara (Vuly.) [Congratulations to your Dad, Matt - can you get the name and some particulars for us?...mlg]
[Equitantman introduced a newbie, MsBritmor, a friend of mine from AOL, she's from Oakgrove, Minn.]
devinest
I hate to sound misinformed, too...but wasn't there a note about starting an hour earlier? [No - the note meant to say, the topic is an hour earlier - topic in the first hour instead of the second hour...mlg]
NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.)
marylois, I am looking for the book on Paphiopedilums that is like the two books on Phals that were published by the Taiwan Orchid Society.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Native- go to the Orchid Mall and visit the Botana Orchid bookseller I got something from them and it was nice. Just call and ask - (an 800 number)
harold6820 (Farmers Branch, TX)
Matt, discovered a bunch of bloom spikes coming on my Equitants. A tad early, but I will take them anytime.
Equitantman (Matt from Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Congratulations Harold!!
RedfernNH
Hi all. Newbie on the net. Question? Looking for cultural info on semi-terrestrial species Eulophia keithii? Anyone familiar with it?
Andy NVA (Northern VA.)
Oooooo......Love to hear those latin names!
NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.)
Eulophia is easy. I pot mine in Texas A&M mix (for Phals), keep in Medium light, Intermediate conditions. Watch for soft brown scale and spider mites!
graphicgreg (back online in Florida)
Where in NH Redfern ? We have a species of Eulophia that grows wild out in the shellpits here in Palm Beach, I believe it is E. alta. The habitat is wet and fairly bright. The plants grow in rocky limestone marl partially in the water through the rainy season.
RedfernNH
This one is from Asia. It appears to like its seasons backwards from mine (warm/wet in winter and warm/dry in the summer) Don't know much more than that.
NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.)
Redfern, I have two pieces of Eulophia kethii. That was the species my earlier message referred to. I have had one for several years now. I really like the tropical terrestrials and have quite a few.
RedfernNH
NativeOrchid, my understanding is that the flowers are orange and green. Mine has yet to bloom and have shared pieces to see what it look likes.
NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.)
Redfern, The flowers are mostly green. I have not noted what season mine have bloomed in. I grow under HID's and don't have a lot of seasonal change. the kethii's bloom when they mature a growth. I think that is more than once per year for me.
RedfernNH
NativeOrchid, I too use a HID, 1000w metal halide, been growing that way for about 6-7 years now. Mastered the light, struggle with humidity and watering schedule. Side note on other issue, I've heard of using Dithane and SuperThrive.
NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.)
Redfern, I will be presenting a discussion on growing under lights in January (there marylois, THAT is a commitment!) e-mail me sometime (arbec@erols.com) and I can make some suggestions!
prankster d (Susan from Oregon
Carol, I look forward to that! Just started with a serious light. I've had it up 2 months. Already imagining I see improvement!
PaphioDePaphio
Susan: What kind of light....
Prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Jason, 430w agrosun or is it sonagro?
PaphioDePaphio
Susan: Dunno.... have not gone that serious yet... :-)
NativeOrchid (Carol, Wash. D. C.)
PaphioDePaphio, I do not recommend sodium when used as an exclusive light source! ...later.....
RedfernNH
Thanx, Carol, You're not that same Carol that had that nice flat vandaceous in Phila, are you?
EmF31
Hi, Leslie. Greg, is that Soph. coccinea one of the tetraploids that he brought with him? That piqued my curiousity, but I didn't buy.
prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Dream on! Greg. That's why I just wont get rid of my last languishing Phal. or let it die with dignity. I dream of blooming it here in the alpine tiaga!
LeslieV1 (Leslie, from Parkland, Fla.)
Aren't Soph's cool growing?
graphicgreg (back online in Florida)
I don't know, Em, it was a 'bonus' with a bunch of L. purpurata we ordered. You're the one looking for the pic of L. milleri right ?
prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
I read that Soph. cernua is more warmth tolerant. (Also pretty!)
Equitantman (Matt from Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
I bought a Soph. coccinea 4N recently from a Brazilian grower. It's growing outside and the new growth is looking good!!
foxtail2
can anyone help on some advice two of my dendobriums have keikis growing and my birds got into them and chewed of the roots. what can i do to restore root growth?
EmF31
Greg-found the L. milleri photo- FINALLY. Nice deep orange flower.
prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Foxtail , Bummer! This summer I lost a Pleione to SHEEP DEPREDATION! (One lamb got into my garden and made a real mess! Tasted many orchids but seemed to only relish poor Pleione)
graphicgreg (back online in Florida)
Yes, Soph. coccinea is normally cool coming from 5000 ft elevation in Brazil whereas cernua is supposedly more warmth tolerant.
EmF31
Nice bonus! I don't grow 'cool' stuff, yet. Maybe someday, then I will contact Mr. Miranda for some of those tetraploid coccineas!
LeslieV1 (Leslie, from Parkland, Fla.
Greg, does cernua resemble coccinea?
Equitantman (Matt from Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Soph. cernuas are blooming now - it's their season.
drroot
nite all. Lois, I'll try to get those pics to you in the mail tomorrow. [Gordon has some pictures to share with us...will get them up soonest...mlg]
EmF31
Foxtail-what kind of birds? I have heard many stories of orchid eating parrots. My kids would eat my orchids, if I let them near them.
prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Cernua is more orange than coccinea, petals and sepals perhaps more elongate,
foxtail2
EmF31 they are a love bird and two parakeets this not the first time they have done it. last time it was removing the bark and chewing on stalks.
graphicgreg (back online in Florida)
Smaller flowers with less good shape, Leslie.
LeslieV1 (Leslie, from Parkland, Fla.)
Sounds nice, Susan. Will they grow in sunny South Fla.?
Equitantman (Matt from Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
S. cernua is good for hybridizing because it increases flower count. Dad has a cernua hybrid in bloom with at least 7 flowers on one stem.
marylois
Nite, Redfern - send your email address to get newsletters, please - my email is marylois@prysm.net.
prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Leslie, S. cernua is sposed to be easy and tolerant of wide conditions, might grow fine in Fla.
EmF31
Susan - S. cernua is easy? Maybe I should try it. Would it mind being indoors in winter, do you think?
prankster d (Susan from Oregon)
Em, Everything is indoors for winter (fall and spring too) here! I don't know why it wouldn't work out!
marylois
Gonna call it a night, folks - good being here with you. Hugs!
tha lictor
hmmm, well I know how to get import permits. I have some now, but I don't have the money to pay for phytosanitary papers.
Folks said good night - and with steve not here, the lights were left on!
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