If you are exporting, you have to get it. The certificate is proof that your nursery has been inspected and your growing practices meet certain standards. It's intended to protect the country of destination from pathogens, pests, free-riding invasive seeds and the like since those nasties inevitably escape to the wild and sometimes cause billions in damage to domestic crops. I'm fighting off mulberry in my yard because they didn't know any better in the 1800s and just brought the thing in without thinking. Kudzu is another example of irresponsible gardening.

So if you are buying, your offshore source has to provide it. Some sellers don't bother, especially with seeds that are easy to conceal. But we're risking more than just our plants if we buy from those. They're easy to avoid since there are better, more responsible options available.

Some countries do require import permit if you're buying a certain number of plants.

Pagan

Thank you, Pagan. Of course, I want to be responsible. With all of the commercial agriculture here in California, I know they are very careful in just crossing state lines.

Am I correct in assuming that there is an additional cost to me, the buyer, for the seller supplied certificate? I'm trying to get an idea on total cost of seeds, shipping and certificate. I was just reviewing the eBay store of Adeniumcenter. For 20 seeds ($8), phytosanitary cert and shipping any rough estimates on what the total might be? Ballpark?

Thanks,

Tyler

NO, I'M NOT ADDICTED!!!

That's a really difficult question. Different sellers charge different amounts. I have bought haworthias from Succulent Tissue Culture (STC) in Switzerland and they charge an arm, a leg and several tails for their phytosanitary certificates so we pool orders together to share the expense. On the other hand, Mr. Ko barely charges for his PC when he was in Taiwan.

I guess just ask them? I think the one time I bought from them, I paid something like $8 for 15 seeds.

Pagan

I recently bought two grafted adeniums (separately) from adeniumcenter through Ebay. I didn't have to pay anything for shipping (nor phyto certificate). I noticed that when you order seeds, you do pay for shipping. Perhaps it has something to do with the total order amount. When you are logged on to your ebay account it will tell you what the shipping will cost and total amount will be.

Many of the Thai sellers combine their shipping into the price of the plants listed. Adeniumcenter does this also. Phyto. Cert. does not cost them much and it based on the first plan, subsequent additions of plants to the same order fall under one Phytosanitary.

Rinoa, for instance charges per plant + EMS (her choice) International Airmail takes longer, i.e. Less stress and chance of losing in shipping. Her charge per plant ranges from $7. - $18.

Others will charge $30. +

Phytosanitary Certificates are usually given with most international orders.

Rick

I live in San Diego. I don't know how our weather compares to the LA basin. We might be somewhat cooler though due to the ocean and coastal influences on our weather.

Tyler

I am not sure but I don't think you get below 50 very often in winter right? I know you can get hot with some humidity. Today seems cool with humidity. I do know someone who grows Epi out side against a protected wall there. So as long as you have sun you should do ok outside for now Just watch your weather. These guys like it hot and sunny.

By the way, Tyler, don't worry, you are not addicted. None of us are.

P

The basic fee of phytosanitary certification while exporting should be the links under.

But other costs may occur while the exporting process are always regulated by several departments of each country. (Though there might be still some inspection process or requirement after or before exporting, depending on the species and places (even the regulations at state or county level).)

Taiwan Regulations Governing Fees for Animal and Plant Quarantine

http://law.moj.gov.tw/Eng/LawClass/LawContent.aspx?PCODE=M0130013

U.S. User's Fees for Export Certification of Plants and Plant Products

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/SA_Export/SA_Userfees

Thanks for the info and the links. I'll have to digest and determine what if anything I want badly enough. Maybe once you go through it the 1st time it doesn't seem so complicated.

Here is a warning for you, SoCal. Check /California/ restrictions for importing. They and Florida have much greater restrictions and may require additional documents or treatments of the plants, or the plants may be on their no import list - whether there is a phytosanitary certificate or not.

I had to check GA's but I was fine and have had no issue but I have seen some adenium sellers specifically list California as a no shipping zone for their plants. Brazil also doesn't recognize some country's phytosanitary certificates from Asia. So you may want to check on that - or make your first orders pretty small so you don't risk much on your side. I think the others covered the other details fine. Usually US customs doesn't even bother looking closely unless you import a big shipment anyway but California is pickier.

Others here who live in CA and have ordered seeds or grafted plants will clearly know better than I if they have had any problems or not. ;)

Tyler. Can you go to your Profile page "Advanced settings" at the bottom is a box to get private messages. I will PM you Thanks

Hyn, thanks for the info. Yes, California is very picky. That is a BIG concern for me. Losing money & merchandise would not make me a happy camper.

Marica, will do.

Pardon me that I seem to make some mistakes.

The topic about importing a few quantity of seeds to U.S. seems mostly related to "Small Lots of Seed Permit" which may be imported without a phytosanitary certificate under some conditions:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/permits/plants-and-plant-products-permits/plants-for-planting/ct_smalllots_seed