I just received a package from Fraser's Thimble Farm in British Columbia Canada. I got 9 different Pleiones and a 4 nose Cypripedium californicum. The import permits, CITES and Phytosanitary certificate cost $25. The package was 4 days in transit and the plants arrived in perfect condition.

Once before I imported some stuff from Australia, that was a nightmare and I would never do it again. I had a discussion about this with Senor Fraser, the owner of FTF and he informed me that import requirements with the 2 contiguous nations of the US are much more relaxed than for all the other nations of the world. I know Sarah Palin can see Russia from her porch but that does not count.

Importing to the US from Canada does not require an import permit and the fees for the documents are minimal. The packages seem to fly through Customs with little delay. He knows that the requirements to import from Mexico are also easier but does not know if they are identical to those for Canada.

I don't imagine too many of us import orchids from Canada, FTF is the exception, but it is useful information to store away if and when the need arises. If anyone knows how it works for Mexico, please let us know.

Nick