Shipping TC's

[thbjr]

I'm not sure where this question should go, so I'll try here. Another grower and myself were wondering what hoops had to be jumped through to ship sterile TC plants international, still in the flask. Is it the same as for bare root, or would it be easier, with less paperwork or inspection/quarintine? Would a CITES still be needed etc?
Thanks.

[Aidan]

I think you will need to enquire of APHIS for a definitive answer:

www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/index.shtml

[thbjr]

Thanks for the link, Aidan. I emailed them and here is what they said.

Q: I was wondering what, if any, permits, etc. were needed for a fellow grower(s) of carnivorous plants to mail me a jar/flask of sterile, tissue culture grown Cephalotus follicularis plants from Taiwan or Great Brittan for my own private collection? They would still be in the original sealed, sterile container, that the tissue culture was cultivated/propigated in. The plant is native to Australia and is not on any endangered list that I am aware of.
Thanks for your help.
A: Hello: As long as there are 12 or less "plants, " all you need is a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. Good luck in your endeavors.

Georgia Coffey
Customer Support and Communications Program Specialist
USDA/APHIS/PPQ/PRIM/Permit Services
4700 River Road, Unit 133
Riverdale, MD 20737
301.734.0841

Q: One more question, can bare root plants be shipped the same way, or do these guidelines only apply to sterile tissue cultures?
Thanks again!!!

A: They apply to both - as long as you have 12 or less and they are free of soil, seeds, pest.

Georgia Coffey
Customer Support and Communications Program Specialist
USDA/APHIS/PPQ/PRIM/Permit Services
4700 River Road, Unit 133
Riverdale, MD 20737
301.734.0841


So in future, now we know....
Again, thanks for the link.

[Aidan]

For non-CITES listed plants, yes. Otherwise, I believe that you will also require import/export licences.

To give you an idea of the costs involved. For me have plants inspected and to obtain a phytosanitary certificate for export, the minimum cost (charged per half-hour) would be $80 at the current exchange rate.