SayN Posted February 7, 2016 A member has requested some cuts be sent to them in the US. Anything I should know from a legal perspective? (... and is it difficult?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted February 7, 2016 Legally speaking you need a phytocertificate that guarantees that the plants are healthy and free of disease. And there are very few nurseries that are able to issue them. That only applies for CITES II plants. CITES I plants such as Ariocarpus, Astrophytum, Aztekium and similar genera need a CITES certification. And you need to apply for an export permit as well as an import permit from the country you send it to. Good Luck. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derkshaman Posted February 7, 2016 Lately I've had some issues with plants being seized and destroyed for lacking phytosanitary certificate. It appears that obtaining the certificate is tedious and or expensive, because nobody seems to include one- instead they just accept the risk of seizure. I've tried looking up information on how to obtain these certificates- the costs, etc but it's very difficult to find straightforward information on the matter, but maybe I'm just an idiot. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghosty Posted February 8, 2016 (edited) Lately I've had some issues with plants being seized and destroyed for lacking phytosanitary certificate. It appears that obtaining the certificate is tedious and or expensive, because nobody seems to include one- instead they just accept the risk of seizure. I've tried looking up information on how to obtain these certificates- the costs, etc but it's very difficult to find straightforward information on the matter, but maybe I'm just an idiot. Your not an idiot.. In australia we make it that way so we can cash in on your efforts whilst keeping our dollar worth shit all. saves us from having to create actual products for our economy's sake. after all, there is only so much insurance we can sell isnt there... A bit like our pot laws.. we'd rather take $600.00 than $60,000 thanks. Anyways,, moving on. In a backwards direction of course. Edited February 8, 2016 by ghosty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spanishfly Posted December 2, 2016 I often send Lophophora williamsii plants and seeds to the US. Whether or not any phytosanitary certificate exists would be irrelevant anyway, as they are illegal in the US and thus liable to confiscation. In fact if they were accompanied by any such certificate stating clearly to all and sundry what they were I think it would be certain that they would be confiscated - as it happens only one has been taken by customs in the last fifteen years. However I have committed no illegal acts - they are legal to possess and grow here - and I can´t be expected to know what the law is in every other country, can I ? And I am sure my American customers are not consuming them - they want them so badly just BECAUSE they are forbidden. But Americans never learn from experience - the fact that the consumption of alcohol went UP under prohibition is lost on their legislators. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trevyn Posted December 6, 2016 I have received a few cuts from Oz and no problems. All three things I tried to buy from Thailand however, were each, in turn, confiscated, so I am 0 for 3 there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sagiXsagi Posted December 26, 2016 US customs are quite cool I reckon, have sent stuff there many times, no problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P.Zappatecorum Posted December 27, 2016 (edited) Technically no vegetative growth or seeds of cacti are allowed to be shipped into the US from overseas, regardless of the legality of the plants in question. Phytosanitary certificates are a huge pain in the ass to procure and don't actually extend to anything in cactaceae even if you could get them. Fortunately, US Customs are lazy and terribly ineffective at their job. So unless you are foolish enough to write "seeds," "cactus" or "plants," the package will not be confiscated. I have had seizures when people sent packages from OZ and labeled them as "cactus seeds." I have successfully received full plants and seeds from various countries labelled as "collectibles," "botanical samples" or "chocolate" (that person threw in a candy bar, lol). So, if you're willing to fudge the customs slip a tiny bit, you should have no issues, if you're going to write "cactus" on it, don't bother, they will be confiscated. Oh, and the reason cacti are banned from importation is protecting endangered species. So, as long as you're not poaching the plants, you're still acting in the spirit of the law. ;) Also, country of origin tends to be a red flag, so ordering from Mexico, China or any other country that is problematic from a standpoint of contraband will increase your risk of inspection and seizure. With Australia being a fine, upstanding Anglophone country so long as the package doesn't scream "I'm doing something naughty" it should fly right through. Edited December 27, 2016 by P.Zappatecorum Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karl_marx Posted January 7, 2017 I've found that US customs seems not to know what 'trichocereus' means. You can fill out the declaration truthfully and, at least for now, nobody will bother to check it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
