Importing Palms to US

[MattyB]

I don't know exactly which forum this goes in but here goes:

Since Colin Wilson's (palmsforpleasure) visit to the US we've kept in touch and he's been kind enough to offer to send me a small palm in return for my efforts to get him plants and seeds.  The only problem is that I can't seem to find out exactly how or if it's even legal to receive plants from overseas.  I'm not importing large numbers of plants, it's just one palm, a gift from a friend.  The aphis.usda.gov...etc etc site isn't much help and when I call the number no one ever returns my call.  Has anyone ever done this?  How's it go?  Thanks, Matt

[Jeff Searle]

Matt,

      First you need a import permit to start off with. This allows you to bring in or have small plants shipped to you. It will have your name, and a permit # on it. There's alot of restricted plants that are not allowed in, from all over the world. Palms in general are pretty easy. Unless they are listed as C.I.T.E.S. plants or seed.

    Plants have to also be under 3' in height, and no soil allowed on the roots. Make sure that they are extreamly cleaned with no insects. If they find one bug, the whole shippment gets gassed! And it ain't pretty.

   Jeff

[MattyB]

OK, so I filled out and faxed my Application form #587 to USDA-APHI-PPQ, whatever that is, and maybe they'll issue me a plant import permit.  Sweet.

[Zac in NC]

Matt- Which form is that? I have the small lots of seed one, so I can legally import seeds now in small quantities. I really need to get a plant importation one, so I can legally collect plants and bring them back from old Mexico( or wherever else I may go). Hope it all goes well.

Zac

[Cycadcenter]

Matt,

We regularly import plants from Oz back to CA

You will need the following:

1. An Import Permit into the USA  (for which you have applied)

2. The plants cannot be more than 18" from the leaf base to the growing tip.  They are very tough on this at USDA inspection in Los Angeles.  

3. The plants must be bare root with NO soil.  We pack ours in moist vermiculite.

4. You need to check if the plants (if Australian) can be exported.  If they are Australian they will probably need a Certificate of Artificial Propagation from a licensed Propagation Nursery.  You will then have to apply to Dept of Environment and Heritage in Canberra for an export permit.

5. All plants which need an export permit then need a clearance from Australian Customs.

6. You will need a Phyto Cert. from Australia.

7. Upon arrival they need to be inspected at USDA in Los Angeles.

Just remember that USDA inpections is now run by Dept of Homeland Security and they take Bio-terrorism pretty seriously so don't try and skirt the system.

For the commercial shipments we bring in we are generally looking at 500-700 in costs.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

For you guys with all the import permits etc.  would any of you consider being the middleman for a fee or some of the imported plants or seeds?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Jerry

[MattyB]

Zac, it's form 587.

Here's the link

You just list each species, one per line item.

I didn't know I needed a Phyto cert.  It's just one plant.  Sheesh!

[Walter John]

Tell Colin you'd like it to be a money or the box deal, and you take the money.  

Too much hassle the other way.

[Zac in NC]

Thanks for the link Matt. I think thats the same one I used for the Small Lots of Seed one. I tried the online thing but was never successful. I just used the PDF form and typed my info in, printed it out and mailed it in. Now to get the plant import one.

Zac

[MattyB]

Zac, I actually just did the same thing right now for the Small Lots Of Seed program.  For anyone who's interested:  Just print out the form 587 and the second two pages tell you how to fill it out for the small lots of seeds program.  You just put "eligible taxa" in the species line and that leaves it open to all species that aren't banned or C.I.T.E.S.,the responsibility for not bringing in these species will be left to you.  You can mail it in or just fax it.

Wal, I hear ya man.  But Colin has a nice variegated Howea with my name on it, and that's worth the trouble in my opinion.

[bgl]

Matt,

it'll probably be cheaper, and less trouble, to just move to Oz in order to get your hands on that palm...  If not, keep us posted how long time it'll take for you to get completely bogged down in this impressive bureaucracy...

Bo-Göran

[Zac in NC]

Oh wow, a variegated Howea sounds cool. Pics??????????????????

Zac

[MattyB]

Ok, Caroline Fitzgerald from the USDA 1-877-770-5990 finally called me back and here's the info I got:

You do not need a permit to import less than 12 plants.

You do need a Phytosanitary certificate enclosed w/ the plants.  Call them for any specific verbage needed on the certificate depending on the species .  For Howea they can only be imported from Australia, New Zealand and their island territories and the phytosanitary cert. must state that the palms are free from the Lethal Yellowing pathogen and the cadang-cadang pathogen, as well as any other damaging palm pathogens based on visual inspection.  Also, they have to be bare root and measure only 18" from leaf base to leaf tip.

You do need a permit (form 587) for the small lots of seed program which allows you to import seed without a phyto.  It takes about 10-15 days to process.

[Mike4284m]

Wow, doesn't seem too bad.  I look forward to seeing pictures at some point down the road.

[Dypsisdean]

Matty,

Good info. Keep us up on the cost of the Phyto. And how many hoops one must jump through to get it.

[aussiearoids]

I would be worried that the variegation may be viewed as a virus and the plant destroyed . Lethal Yellowing could be interpreted in the wrong way here .

[MattyB]

Michael, good point!  I made sure and asked Caroline about that and she suggested that a note be put in w/ the plant explaining that it's variegated not sick!  Also, we talked about if it happened to be one of the red petiole varieties then we should do the same.  So if you're importing a variegated plant or some form that looks different than the inspectors expect to see then you should leave a note explaining what they're looking at so the plants don't get destroyed.

[aussiearoids]

A good friend of mine imports plants every year into australia , and he always brings in hundreds at a time , as the cost of quarantine and inspection fees average out a lot less when larger numbers are involved.

If you wait until your spring , I am sure all of us aussie members could get together some other diserable plants/palms to make this really worthwhile for you .

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Hi Matt and everyone

After reading all the posts the Phyto certificate will be obtained and all the regulations will be followed along with convering letter. Actually there will be a few more for some others people where very helpful during our visit. These palms are extremely rare and  only a few variegate  from millions of ordinary howeas seedlings. Definelty do not want them destroyed

RE Australian quarantine. They insist on gasing every plant with Methyl bromide

death rates can be very high. Inspection rates on arrival are around $600

gassing $300

quarantine charges about $80 per square meter storage per month for 2 years, however the plant have to be spaced apart so they are not near each other. A guide would be by measuring how much space you use when all the pots touch and then multiply that by about 2.5. This will give you the total space you have to pay for. Think it is over, NO it is not. Then you have to pay for monthly inspection, if they find anything, one of the scientific inspection can be up to $1200 for one particular test.

That should complete the story, but wait there is more!!! when  a plant dies, it is held for a few months on the chance it may recover, During this time you still pay the monthlyspace fee. This is the experience i am currently having

So now you know why we Australians beg for seed

regards

colin

[Zac in NC]

Oh wow, that sounds horrible Colin. All that jumping through hoops to import plants for you guys.  I see why you do ask for seeds.

Zac

[MattyB]

Also, they have to be bare root and measure only 18" from leaf base to leaf tip.

Just a clarification:  They can be 915 mm, approx. 36", stem to leaftips.

[XYZ]

MattyB:

Just curious as to your source of this info. I export aroids to the 'States and I've been told on multiple occasions that there is a limit of 18" from base to stem tip. Obviously, a palm is a very different critter in terms of morphology, but I'd like to have this issue clarified, since every time I ask USDA/PPQ about this, they always come back with the 18" stem length limit. Has this rule changed, or is there ALSO a 36" overall height limit?

Cheerio,

SJ

[MattyB]

Well I was first told, and read, 18".  Now I just got an email from someone else, at APHIS, saying 36".  I'm not sure which is correct or if they refer to different points of measurement.  I'm confused too.

[Jeff Searle]

As far as I know, and it has always been, 36" from soil line to tip of leaf. I know this is true, because I received some palms from Costa Rica about 2 months ago. And they were all 3' tall. This is coming into Miami, which should be the same as all other port of entries. I have never heard of 18 " being the height requirement.

  Jeff

[BS Man about Palms]

Maybe it is "leaf base to tip of frond" VERSUS overall height of plant not over 36".

[Dave-Vero]

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plan...ucts/index.html

[XYZ]

Dave & Co.

Thanks. Finally got a clear answer out of the USDA via your weblink. This: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/Q37/size-age-chart.pdf

...is actually the size limitation chart. As we can all see, it's quite not as simple as anyone (incl. folks in the Miami field office) claim.

Anyhoots, thanks loads for clearing this matter up.

BRgds,

SJ

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Hi All

have read the details so when we are back from visiting Wal, Daryl, Greg and Mike

in QLD (Queensland) after a QLD (Quiet Little Drink) with the group ,the plants will be sent

regards

colin

[Jeff Searle]

Like I said, it's always been 36". What I don't understand is, when I have come into the US with seeds or plants,and I have declared them on my declaration form, so why are the inspectors not looking????? I declare that I have something, then go through the line and put my bags through x-ray, and nothing! My bags come out, the inspectors say nothing and I grab my bags and out I go. I just don't get it!! This has happened twice this summer.

 Jeff

[Zac in NC]

(Jeff Searle @ Nov. 23 2006,22:20)

QUOTE

Like I said, it's always been 36". What I don't understand is, when I have come into the US with seeds or plants,and I have declared them on my declaration form, so why are the inspectors not looking????? I declare that I have something, then go through the line and put my bags through x-ray, and nothing! My bags come out, the inspectors say nothing and I grab my bags and out I go. I just don't get it!! This has happened twice this summer.

 Jeff

You aren't complaining, are you Jeff?  I think I would get searched if I declared things, Thats is just my (bad) luck.

Zac

[The Germinator]

I just wrap them up and tape them to my chest. Works in most countries, except Turkey.