What’s required by customs Australia to import seeds

[happypalms]

To import seeds into Australia you need a phytosanitary certificate. The exporting company provides that from whatever department is involved in the country of origin.  If all goes well and the seeds successfully land in the country. Customs Australia will send you a letter explaining that the seeds need inspection regardless of having a certificate. They will still want to inspect the seeds without it your seeds have very little chance of entering the country. After you request an inspection at the importers exspense they proceed with the inspection. If all goes well again the seeds will be released to you with a bill. If all goes wrong they destroy the seeds or return them to the exporting company and you get a bill for the seeds along with no seeds. It can take quite a few phone calls and emails if it starts to go wrong for various reasons. It’s worth the time to import seeds you just need patience. It’s quite simple you just have to remember your dealing with a government department who hold the key to do whatever they feel like at your exspense.

[Harry’s Palms]

I brought a bunch of various seeds in from one of my trips to Hawaii . We had a condo on the beach that we rented so I had a place to clean and bag the seeds . I just put them in my suit case and came home with them . I had a friend that germinated palm seeds so he was happy. I was very nervous as I didn’t even bother to check if certs were required to bring them to the mainland . I know , when I brought plants back from Maui I needed a nematode certificate to show at customs. There is a reason , I guess , but I can’t help but think it is made more difficult by certain agencies. Harry

[Foxpalms]

3 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I brought a bunch of various seeds in from one of my trips to Hawaii . We had a condo on the beach that we rented so I had a place to clean and bag the seeds . I just put them in my suit case and came home with them . I had a friend that germinated palm seeds so he was happy. I was very nervous as I didn’t even bother to check if certs were required to bring them to the mainland . I know , when I brought plants back from Maui I needed a nematode certificate to show at customs. There is a reason , I guess , but I can’t help but think it is made more difficult by certain agencies. Harry

In the UK after brexit here the regulations are unclear. They list all other seeds so that would include palm seeds as needing a certificate however when I contacted defra here they said they don't require one. I have germinated plenty of palms that I have brought back from other parts of Europe in past.

[happypalms]

8 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I brought a bunch of various seeds in from one of my trips to Hawaii . We had a condo on the beach that we rented so I had a place to clean and bag the seeds . I just put them in my suit case and came home with them . I had a friend that germinated palm seeds so he was happy. I was very nervous as I didn’t even bother to check if certs were required to bring them to the mainland . I know , when I brought plants back from Maui I needed a nematode certificate to show at customs. There is a reason , I guess , but I can’t help but think it is made more difficult by certain agencies. Harry

In the days before certification requirements in Australia, I have heard of people just bringing seeds by the suitcase loads with just an invoice that they documented themselves. And I could only imagine before the government regulations in the days gone bye iam the people in the navy had some goods of all kind coming home with them. I respect our bio security it’s there for obvious reasons but sometimes political correctness goes a bit too far with the government nowadays. They certainly have taken the fun out of importing seeds.

[peachy]

Before the big ban came down on importing seeds, I had a batch of seeds from RPS seized by customs saying they were prohibited species. I got on the phone to Sydney, was told they were on the banned list, which I had a copy of and asked him to tell me where on the list my seeds were named. Guess what ? They weren't on the list ! If I hadn't rang and been assertive the twerps at customs would have thrown them out. On the other hand people in the USA have sent me seeds in an envelope with palm seeds written on the back and they arrived trouble free every time.

Peachy

[Harry’s Palms]

@peachy good for you ! Advocating for yourself paid off. Harry

[meridannight]

I have those same Masoala seeds. But, again, I'm ca 1.5 months ahead of you with them.

Astrocaryum standleyanum is easy (I germinated them last year), but they come up randomly, not all at the same time. My last one came up a year after I got them.

Here's one of my Astrocaryum standleyanum seedlings, about a year old now:

[happypalms]

9 hours ago, peachy said:

Before the big ban came down on importing seeds, I had a batch of seeds from RPS seized by customs saying they were prohibited species. I got on the phone to Sydney, was told they were on the banned list, which I had a copy of and asked him to tell me where on the list my seeds were named. Guess what ? They weren't on the list ! If I hadn't rang and been assertive the twerps at customs would have thrown them out. On the other hand people in the USA have sent me seeds in an envelope with palm seeds written on the back and they arrived trouble free every time.

Peachy

Yes I do the same thing I think they like doing that keeps them in a job. It’s still fun though for the headache they give you. I don’t want a red mark next to my name with customs otherwise I would import under the radar. One thing I know is don’t muck with customs.

Richard 

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, meridannight said:

I have those same Masoala seeds. But, again, I'm ca 1.5 months ahead of you with them.

Astrocaryum standleyanum is easy (I germinated them last year), but they come up randomly, not all at the same time. My last one came up a year after I got them.

Here's one of my Astrocaryum standleyanum seedlings, about a year old now:

Nice one thanks for sharing. What cold temperatures where you thinking of planting them in outside?

[meridannight]

Masoala madagascariensis has started to germinate for me @happypalms It's been about a week or so. I think just a couple of seeds so far, but I'm hoping it's going to be a lot more than that. I ordered 100. 

[Tyrone]

I think what does my head in with Australian quarantine is you follow all the rules correctly and THEY stuff the process up by not typing the species name correctly in the computer then telling you they don’t exist in the BICON database and are therefore automatically prohibited or they give you a big load of garbage that you need an import permit when BICON clearly says you don’t.  Emails, letters, phone calls, boiling blood, all takes time and you might have some viability left when they turn up at your door 4 months later and they have the audacity to then charge you, for their ineptitude. I think quarantine has been invaded by the “Native Nazis”.

[happypalms]

2 hours ago, Tyrone said:

I think what does my head in with Australian quarantine is you follow all the rules correctly and THEY stuff the process up by not typing the species name correctly in the computer then telling you they don’t exist in the BICON database and are therefore automatically prohibited or they give you a big load of garbage that you need an import permit when BICON clearly says you don’t.  Emails, letters, phone calls, boiling blood, all takes time and you might have some viability left when they turn up at your door 4 months later and they have the audacity to then charge you, for their ineptitude. I think quarantine has been invaded by the “Native Nazis”.

Well written words. I had a batch of seeds they just gave me the run around after a phone call there response was due a back log it will take longer crap. Then by the time they get around to it 3 weeks after they arrive, then a week for the letter to get to me with the entry number (I only get my mail delivery once a week life in the bush) So by the time I can respond oh they have mould because it’s there fault due a backlog crap then another 4 weeks of of emails and  phone calls later I eventually get 4 packs of seeds out of seven packs. And a lovely little bill for me as well what a joke customs Australia is. It should be a $50 dollar fee for the government with no inspections crap here’s your seeds pay $50 bucks for an import tax thank you have a nice day. Oh no not customs Australia! We need a job and without you I have no job so iam going to bill you for nothing even though we comply with our phytosanitary certificate. If you need a certificate from the county of origin and that department does not get recognition as being legit and we need to inspect for our money and jobs for the boys well why bother with a certificate then. There a pack of…….

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, meridannight said:

Masoala madagascariensis has started to germinate for me @happypalms It's been about a week or so. I think just a couple of seeds so far, but I'm hoping it's going to be a lot more than that. I ordered 100. 

I just looked no not yet germinating you got your ones a bit earlier didn’t you. Bottom heating 30 degrees Celsius coco coir mix my ones should be moving soon I hope.

[meridannight]

9 minutes ago, happypalms said:

I just looked no not yet germinating you got your ones a bit earlier didn’t you. Bottom heating 30 degrees Celsius coco coir mix my ones should be moving soon I hope.

About 1.5 months ahead of you with them, but I think that was without the customs processing times in Australia.

And -- yikes! 500 dollars on customs fees on palm seeds! I once thought of relocating to Australia, but i don't know how I'd grow palms there. I'm not rich!

[happypalms]

7 minutes ago, meridannight said:

About 1.5 months ahead of you with them, but I think that was without the customs processing times in Australia.

And -- yikes! 500 dollars on customs fees on palm seeds! I once thought of relocating to Australia, but i don't know how I'd grow palms there. I'm not rich!

Yep those seedlings will be exspensive to buy from me! And the 3 packs of seeds that gave me the trouble where worth only $80 bucks go figure. Iam not in a hurry for the seeds to germinate they will you need patience to grow palms.

[sgvcns]

Very blessed that my batch of seeds from July in Borneo came in without being stopped. From here on I'll get the paperwork and fly back with them. Should be interesting...

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, sgvcns said:

Very blessed that my batch of seeds from July in Borneo came in without being stopped. From here on I'll get the paperwork and fly back with them. Should be interesting...

That’s the go fly and get them and declare them see how much fun you have then with customs on the spot to stuff em up. 

[sgvcns]

No, It's the go find seeds I want. Get paperwork,declare. Friend was waved through... 15 minutes

Posting seems the issue. Not into buying, looking to find...

Jungle not RPS

[Darold Petty]

17 hours ago, Tyrone said:

II think quarantine has been invaded by the “Native Nazis”.

We have "Native Nazis" in California also.

 

  So far I have never heard of one that advocated planting Toxidendron diversilobum  !  

[meridannight]

50 minutes ago, Darold Petty said:

We have "Native Nazis" in California also.

Oh we have them in the EU as well.

[happypalms]

19 hours ago, sgvcns said:

No, It's the go find seeds I want. Get paperwork,declare. Friend was waved through... 15 minutes

Posting seems the issue. Not into buying, looking to find...

Jungle not RPS

Yes it seems the department of agriculture and fisheries are the culprits involved in this situation. The guy working at the airport just wants to see your paperwork and has no real vendetta against you bringing in stuff as long as you declare it to him. It’s the clowns in the offices that do the damage from there desks. 

[sgvcns]

Not always. The mail centre people are quite uninformed. Destroy is the position. I've had discussions with AQIS people by phone. They have been horrified that seeds are destroyed without real reason. Bringing in myself lets me challenge ignorance. I'll find out next trip...

[happypalms]

20 hours ago, sgvcns said:

Not always. The mail centre people are quite uninformed. Destroy is the position. I've had discussions with AQIS people by phone. They have been horrified that seeds are destroyed without real reason. Bringing in myself lets me challenge ignorance. I'll find out next trip...

Let me know how you go if it works iam of to Hawaii.

[happypalms]

On 10/5/2024 at 1:04 PM, meridannight said:

I have those same Masoala seeds. But, again, I'm ca 1.5 months ahead of you with them.

Astrocaryum standleyanum is easy (I germinated them last year), but they come up randomly, not all at the same time. My last one came up a year after I got them.

Here's one of my Astrocaryum standleyanum seedlings, about a year old now:

Nice looking seedling you got the green thumbs . And a nice looking soil mix as well. 

[meridannight]

14 hours ago, happypalms said:

Nice looking seedling you got the green thumbs . And a nice looking soil mix as well. 

Thanks. I do find it easy to grow palms from seed, especially tropical species, although I have my issues. I still don't seem to get the moisture levels correct with certain remote germinator species (e.g. Johannesteijsmannia altifrons). I either keep them too dry or too wet in the period right after germination and before emergence of the first plumule and I lose prohibitively lot of seedlings with them. Licualas, on the other hand, are a breeze. So, I have things I need to work on to get better results. But a number of palms I grow truly are sow-it-and-forget-it for me, in a sense that they only need watering and feeding, and are otherwise trouble-free. 

The substrate is my own personal mix. There is absolutely nothing sold over here that could be used straight out of the bag, and even if there was, I've long developed a preference to mixing my own. I prefer watering often but not in large amounts, so I make an extremely well draining mix that also holds on to moisture for more than a day when it's 86+ F/30+ C outside. It has served me well. I have never seen a single rotten root. 

 

[sgvcns]

20 hours ago, happypalms said:

Let me know how you go if it works iam of to Hawaii.

You would still need to access a phyto to import

[happypalms]

11 hours ago, meridannight said:

Thanks. I do find it easy to grow palms from seed, especially tropical species, although I have my issues. I still don't seem to get the moisture levels correct with certain remote germinator species (e.g. Johannesteijsmannia altifrons). I either keep them too dry or too wet in the period right after germination and before emergence of the first plumule and I lose prohibitively lot of seedlings with them. Licualas, on the other hand, are a breeze. So, I have things I need to work on to get better results. But a number of palms I grow truly are sow-it-and-forget-it for me, in a sense that they only need watering and feeding, and are otherwise trouble-free. 

The substrate is my own personal mix. There is absolutely nothing sold over here that could be used straight out of the bag, and even if there was, I've long developed a preference to mixing my own. I prefer watering often but not in large amounts, so I make an extremely well draining mix that also holds on to moisture for more than a day when it's 86+ F/30+ C outside. It has served me well. I have never seen a single rotten root. 

 

Johannesteijsmannia are the easiest of all to germinate just look up some of my post on joeys. May i suggest you let them put up there spike before potting them up and repot them at the seed depth you will need deep tubes they need to be potted deep it looks strange doing this. Don’t pot them up at where the roots develops it may be some two or three inches deep or more you  have to repot them. Soil the key to growing palms I also make my own mix, drainage is the key along with a good supply of organic matter a fine balance between getting it right and wrong. Get it wrong and you’ll have nothing but trouble trying to correct it. Get it  right and you can grow anything. There are certain palms I find even with the correct mix that just say no to whatever you do it’s just not there type of soil in comparison to the habitat no matter what you do there not happy. I try not to water to heavy as well once again with so many different varieties all together you can get it wrong just hosing away. I try to let the my soil mix determine the amount of water along with what type of variety the palm is. Joeys you need almost a hydroponic bio organic  mix for seedlings then as they get bigger you can add a bit more soli but still knowing your soil mix balance once again. It’s not rocket science as they say but……..