If you're looking to import live plants, there are a few things if not many that you need to consider and steps you need to follow. With today’s demand for live plant businesses across the globe, importers must ensure that they have been informed with every possible documentations or regulations enforced.
Here's a general guide on how to import live plants:
Research on Import Regulations
Each country has its own regulations regarding the importation of live plants. It's crucial to research and understand the specific requirements and restrictions of the destination country. Contact the agricultural or plant health authorities of the country to obtain the necessary information.
Anthurium Magnificum Verde
Not only you have to ensure your country’s regulations, you should also consider ensuring that the sender of your plants where they are located are able to send live plants to you. Just know that different countries have their respective policies enforce.
Information obtained must be the most updated ones. And not some old outdated information. Lots of government websites still keep their old information posted. This, you must make sure by contacting the related departments of such events. The effect in failing to comply with respective countries’ policies enforced is enormous. Such as and not limited to:
- You won’t be able to claim your package
- Contents destroyed by customs or related department in charge of live plants inspection
- New case/ problem with your seller
Obtain Necessary Permits
Once you understand the import regulations, you’ll be stuffing yourself with so much information. One of the many is that you may need to obtain permits or phytosanitary certificates. What these documents do is that they verify that the plants meet the required standards and are free from pests or diseases. Check with the relevant authorities to determine which permits or certificates are required.
Now, in the case of import permits; obviously it is a document needed/ required to be possessed by you as the importer (buyer). This will inform the customs or related departments (when your package enters your country border) that you are eligible to perform live plant imports. If no import permits is found on the package (if required), your packages (s) may be seized by the customs or related departments before it’s delivered to you. You may be charge with some fees by any parties outside of the store you’re buying from or the customs, but still it may be seized by the customs. And so you’ll end up losing your money.
For phytosanitary certificate, I believe it is a document that should be prepared by your seller (sender of package) and not yourself. At least to the United States of America this is the conditions.
Syngonium Butterfly Variegated / Syngonium Avocado Milkshake Variegated
The thing about importing live plants, both seller and buyer must know the exact enforced policies. And thus far, I (seller) have been providing phytosanitary certificate to any countries that I send packages to. And whether these buyers are required to have their phytosanitary certificate, I kind of doubt that you are required but please do some research on this.
Choose a Reputable Supplier
Look for a reputable supplier or nursery that specializes in exporting live plants. Ensure that they have experience in international plant shipments and comply with all necessary regulations.
Another thing to consider in knowing whether a seller is reputable or not is by researching their social media accounts. With today’s vast social media platforms, live plant exporters must have respective social media accounts. Ensure that their accounts are well-maintained and updated at the most recent times.
Send them messages for some double-checks. Responsive replies should be expected as it is one of the most demanding business nowadays.
Shipping and Packaging
Live plants require careful handling and packaging to ensure their safe arrival. Work with your supplier to arrange appropriate packaging, such as using moisture-retaining materials and protective containers. Choose a reliable shipping method that provides adequate protection and suitable conditions for the plants during transit.
In terms of packaging, most live plant exporters use moist sphagnum moss as the main and basic growing media used to send plants abroad. Depending how well the dry or keep the sphagnum moss moist, it’ll ultimately affecting the plants themselves. Too much water in the sphagnum moss will cause some rots in the package. This may spread to other plants.
Some say that packages are placed somewhere near a plane machine that causes the content of the package get dry faster than expected. Or if it’s too wet then it’ll create some fluids that will end up the plants to rot during the travel. And buyers must understand that where their packages (s) are place is not on sellers’ power. It is fully on the authorization of the shipping agency used.
Say that one package is being shipped by DHL Express, there are times where this package may be forwarded to a third party to continue the shipment. And that’s normal.
Especially to country like United States of America. When plants are being addressed to a certain USDA as the final destination. Buyers are require to provide a prepaid waybill label. This label is used by the inspectors in the USDA to contact the related shipping agency related (USPS or UPS is preferable) to pick up your package and deliver it to your address.
Customs clearance
Provide all required documentation, including permits, certificates, and invoices, to the customs authorities of the destination country. Follow their procedures for customs clearance and pay any applicable duties or taxes.
Customs clearance is basically where they make sure that the package is eligible to further pass a country’s border. Any delay in clarification and/ or confirmation will ultimately cause severe delay to a package. I say, do the clearance very very quick as you’re notified. No delays!
Quarantine and inspections
Depending on the destination country's regulations, imported live plants may be subject to quarantine or inspections upon arrival. Be prepared to comply with any additional requirements and ensure that the plants meet the necessary health and quality standards.
As a perishable item, live plants are required to be inspected for their healthiness. Inspectors must ensure that the plants do not contain any unwanted conditions. Such as and not limited to pests, insects, bacteria or any prohibited fluids.
Should your plants fail to comply with the standard enforced policies, they may end up being destroyed by the inspectors.
Follow Local Regulations
Once the plants arrive, adhere to the local regulations regarding the handling, distribution, and sale of live plants. Familiarize yourself with any additional licensing or labeling requirements imposed by the local authorities.
Remember that this is a general guide, and the specific requirements may vary depending on the country and type of plants you intend to import. It's crucial to conduct thorough research and consult with the appropriate authorities to ensure a smooth and legal importation process.
I have to be honest, there are a number of importers who know nothing about regulations. This ends up in a “brawl” and exchange of unnecessary words by seller and buyer. One thing to understand that each store have their respective policy. And this policies must be adhered by importers (buyer). Do not compare them or think that these exporting plant stores are the same as your common or local/ online stores.
You are doing a transaction with people of the world, be as open as possible and adhere to every policies enforced by that store. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask them.
